Punte
Support

Set up Punte, and fix what gets in the way.

Setup takes a few minutes: Punte Host on the Mac, Punte on your device, one pairing code. If something doesn't connect, the answer is almost always in the list below.

Setup

Two apps, one pairing

On the Mac

  1. Install Punte Host from the Mac App Store and open it. Punte's bridge appears in the menu bar, dimmed: nothing listens yet.
  2. Set Up Punte asks macOS for each permission in one window. Allow them, or use Open Settings next to one you missed:
    • Screen Recording for the picture. macOS may ask you to quit and reopen Punte Host.
    • Accessibility for control. Without it the session is view only.
    • Local Network so your devices can reach the Mac.
    • Notifications, optional, to see who pairs and connects.
  3. Turn on Accepting connections. If macOS asks whether Punte Host may accept incoming connections, allow it. The menu shows the Mac's addresses and the port, 47474 by default.
  4. Optional, in Settings… (⌘,): start listening when Punte Host opens, open it at login, ask to approve each connection, the idle timeout, allowed networks, and whether devices may change the resolution.

On iPhone or iPad

  1. Install Punte from the App Store and open it. Allow Local Network access when asked.
  2. On the Mac, choose Pair New Device… in the Punte Host menu. A QR code and an 8-character code appear, valid for 2 minutes.
  3. Fastest: tap Scan QR Code in Punte, or scan with the Camera app. The Mac's address, port and code are filled in. Check them and tap Pair.
    Or by hand: tap +, enter the Mac's address and port from its menu, then the code.
  4. The Mac shows your device's name and fingerprint, which your device shows too. Compare them and click Approve.
  5. Tap Connect. The Mac's menu bar icon turns into an eye while you're connected.

On another Mac

  1. Install Punte from the App Store. It's the same app as on iPhone and iPad, and Punte Pro carries over.
  2. Click Add Mac (⌘N) and enter the address and port of the Mac you want to reach.
  3. On that Mac, choose Pair New Device…, type the code, then approve the device there.
  4. Click Connect, or double-click the Mac's card. Each Mac opens in a tab; drag it out for its own window.

On Windows or Android

  1. Install Punte from the Microsoft Store (Windows 11) or Google Play (Android 10 or later).
  2. Add the Mac by its address and port. On Android you can also scan the QR code.
  3. On the Mac, choose Pair New Device…, enter the code, and approve the device on the Mac.
  4. Connect. On Android, allow access to devices on your local network if asked.

Special setups

Over a VPN

Use the Mac's VPN address, such as a WireGuard 10.x or Tailscale 100.x address, or its VPN name. Devices on a VPN can't discover the Mac by themselves, so type the address. If you set Allowed networks on the Mac, include your VPN's range, for example 10.8.0.0/24.

Unlocking a locked Mac

On the Mac, turn on Screen Sharing (System Settings → General → Sharing) and Punte Host's Allow unlocking via Screen Sharing (Settings → Security). When the Mac locks, your device shows Your Mac is locked: sign in with your Mac account to see the login screen. The Mac must have been unlocked once since it started.

A Mac without a monitor

macOS can only capture a display that exists. Connect a display or an HDMI dummy plug. For a Mac that should come back by itself after a restart, turn FileVault off, turn on automatic login, and in Punte Host turn on Open Punte at login and Start listening when Punte opens.

Troubleshooting

Something isn't working

Find the message you see, or what's happening.

"The computer didn't answer", or a timeout, although the Mac reaches itselfMac

Check Local Network access for Punte Host on the Mac (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network). Until it's allowed, macOS silently drops the network traffic of an app that listens. Punte Host asks when it starts accepting connections, and its menu shows Local network access is off… Fix… while it's denied.

"Punte can't reach your local network"Device

Turn on Settings → Punte → Local Network on the iPhone or iPad.

"Couldn't connect", or a timeoutBoth
  • Accepting connections is on in the Punte Host menu.
  • The address and port match the menu. Over a VPN, use the Mac's VPN address.
  • The macOS firewall allows Punte Host.
  • The device has Local Network access.
  • The device's address is in Allowed networks, if you set any.
  • The Mac isn't asleep. Turn on Wake for network access, or keep it awake.
"Host identity has changed" right after updatingDevice

Punte Host 0.7 renews the Mac's identity once, so it can accept connections while the Mac is locked. The menu says so. Forget the Mac on your device and pair again.

"Host identity has changed"Device

The Mac presented a different key than the one remembered at pairing. If you reset Punte Host, deleted its keychain items, or switched between a test build and the App Store version, forget the Mac and pair again. If you did none of these, someone may be intercepting the connection. Don't continue.

Pairing says "wrong code or interception"Device

Type the code again. It uses letters and the digits 2 to 9, never 0, 1, I or O. Codes expire after 2 minutes and work once.

"Too many attempts"Device

After 5 wrong codes, pairing closes. Wait a little, then choose Pair New Device… on the Mac again.

"This device isn't paired" or "revoked"Device

The device was removed on the Mac (Settings → Devices). Pair it again.

"Another session is active"Device

One device at a time can be connected. End the other session, or choose Disconnect All in the Punte Host menu.

No picture, "allow Screen Recording"Mac

Allow Punte Host in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording on the Mac.

"The Mac has no display attached"Mac

Connect a display or an HDMI dummy plug. The picture starts by itself, without reconnecting. See A Mac without a monitor.

"View only"Mac

Allow Punte Host in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility on the Mac.

Wrong characters when typingDevice

The Keyboard option Characters sends what your device's layout types. Physical keys uses the Mac's layout instead. Change it in the Mac's details on your device. Some shortcuts, such as ⌘Tab and ⌘Space, never leave iPadOS.

The clipboard doesn't syncBoth
  • Sync clipboard must be on for this Mac on your device, and Allow clipboard on for this device in the Mac's Devices settings. The statistics say "off on the Mac" otherwise.
  • Only copies made during the session are shared. Use the paste button to send your clipboard right away.
  • Text over 1 MB and images over 8 MB are skipped.
The resolution doesn't changeMac

Turn on Allow connected devices to change the display resolution in Punte Host's Display settings, and wait 2 seconds between changes.

Disconnected after a whileBoth

Either the idle timeout ended the session (Mac: Settings → Security, 10 minutes by default), or the app spent more than 10 minutes in the background. Without Punte Pro, sessions also end after 10 minutes; connect again any time.

Choppy video over a VPNDevice

Set that Mac's Quality to Balanced or Data saver and keep Prefer HEVC on. The statistics show the frame rate, bitrate and round trip.

Pointer lock doesn't engage on iPadDevice

It needs Punte in full screen, not in Split View or a Stage Manager window, and a connected trackpad or mouse.

Punte Host keeps an audit log of connection attempts and sessions, never their contents: choose Audit Log… in its menu. It often tells you why a connection was refused.

Contact

Still stuck?

Write to support@your-domain. Say which devices and versions you use, what you see, and whether you connect at home or over a VPN. Please don't send pairing codes or passwords.