# Pair a nearby iPhone

> Connect the mobile app directly to a nearby Mac with device discovery, identity checks, and explicit approval.

Canonical URL: https://docs.zuse.sh/remote/nearby-pairing



Zuse for iPhone discovers nearby Macs over Wi-Fi or Apple's peer-to-peer path. Pairing is local and does not require a Zuse account. The Mac must explicitly approve the phone before Zuse stores a revocable device credential.

<Workflow>
  <Step title="Make the Mac discoverable">
    On the Mac, open **Settings → Devices**. If **Local access** is off, choose **Enable browser and device access** and confirm the restart.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the Mac on iPhone">
    In the mobile app, open **Settings → Connect to a nearby Mac**. Nearby Macs appear automatically. If exactly one is found, Zuse begins securing the connection for you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Match the safety phrase">
    The phone shows a short phrase and waits for approval. The Mac opens &#x2A;*Is this you trying to connect?** with the phone label, device identifier, and the same phrase. Confirm the words match exactly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow the phone">
    Choose **Allow** on the Mac. The phone stores the approved connection and opens the inbox.
  </Step>
</Workflow>

Choose **Not now** to deny only this request. Choose **Block device** when you do not recognize the phone; blocked devices cannot silently repeat the same pairing attempt.

## Pair with a QR code [#pair-with-a-qr-code]

QR pairing is the fallback when discovery is unavailable:

1. On the Mac, open **Settings → Devices** and choose **Show mobile QR**.
2. On iPhone, open the scanner from the inbox or **Settings**.
3. Allow camera access and scan the QR code.

Pairing codes are one-time credentials and expire after five minutes. Generate a new code instead of sharing an expired screenshot.

## When discovery finds nothing [#when-discovery-finds-nothing]

* Keep Zuse open on the Mac and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices.
* In iPhone Settings, allow **Local Network** access for Zuse.
* Wait for the **Scan QR instead** action, or open the scanner directly.
* On networks that isolate clients, use peer-to-peer discovery when available or move both devices to a trusted network.

<SecurityNote title="Match both screens">
  The phone checks the nearby service's encrypted transport identity before requesting access. The matching safety phrase gives you a human-verifiable check on both screens. Do not approve when the phrase or device identity differs.
</SecurityNote>

## Revoke the phone [#revoke-the-phone]

On the Mac, open **Settings → Devices**, find the mobile device, and choose **Revoke**. To remove only the phone's local copy, use the connection controls in the mobile app or reset the app. Revoking on the Mac is the authoritative way to end access.

<NextStep href="/mobile/" label="Use Zuse on iPhone" />