Pairing, Rename and Forget

Over a cable, there is no pairing: the cable is the trust. Over Wi-Fi, a device has to show the computer that you approved it, once.

Two ways to trust a device the first time. After either one, it reconnects without a code.

Route 1: scan the code

Show the code on the computer (Windows: tray › Pair wireless…; Mac: menu bar › Show connection QR…) and tap Scan code to connect in the app. The code carries a one-time key for the session, so scanning it is the approval.

Route 2: match a six-digit code

Pick the computer from On your network in the app. If the computer has Ask before a new device connects turned on, both screens show the same six-digit code:

• The device shows “Do the codes match?” and waits.
• The computer shows “Allow this device?” with the device’s name and the code.
• If the codes match, click Allow on the computer. The computer is the only place you confirm.

Codes different?

Click Don’t allow on the computer and Cancel on the device. Something else on the network may be answering.

“Ask before a new device connects” is on by default on a Mac and off by default on Windows. Turn it on in Settings › Pairing. On Windows you can also turn on Refuse devices that haven’t paired, which drops any device you haven’t approved without asking.

Rename or forget a device

Where	How
Windows	Tray › Paired devices › Forget a device, or Settings › Pairing, where each device has Rename and Forget
Mac	Menu bar › Paired devices › the device › Rename… or Forget this device. Or Settings › Pairing › Approved devices
Android	Settings › Remembered computers › Rename or Forget

Forgetting a device on a Mac also ends its session if it is connected. Next time it connects, it pairs again.

On a Mac, leave the Rename field empty to go back to the name the device reports. Reinstalling the app on a device keeps the name you gave it on the computer.

When a computer forgets a device

If the app says “That computer no longer recognizes this device. Pair it again there.”, the computer has forgotten the pairing (someone chose Forget, or it was set up again). Pair once more with either route.

On Windows, pairings belong to the Windows user account. Signed in as a different user on the same PC, your device is new and pairs again.

Resetting settings never unpairs: “Reset all settings” on the Mac and on Android both keep your paired devices.