Device Discovery Failed
Use this page when Nearby Sync cannot find another device.
Fast checklist
- Open Octoclip on both devices.
- Put both devices on the same trusted network or supported local path.
- Disable guest Wi-Fi, AP isolation, VPN, proxy, or firewall rules temporarily for testing.
- Confirm local network permission where the OS asks for it.
- Confirm both devices use Nearby Sync, not one Nearby and one Cloud-only setup.
- Test with a short text clip.
Network causes
Nearby discovery can fail when the network blocks local broadcast, multicast, mDNS/Bonjour, or peer-to-peer traffic. Enterprise networks, hotel Wi-Fi, guest Wi-Fi, and VPNs commonly block this.
Platform causes
- Windows: firewall, Bonjour/mDNS, network profile, store sandbox behavior.
- macOS: local network permission, firewall, Focus or sleep behavior.
- Android: local network/Wi-Fi permissions, vendor background restrictions.
- iOS/iPadOS: local network permission and foreground/background limits.
Workaround
If local discovery is blocked and you cannot change the network, use Cloud Sync through WebDAV / S3 on activated paid devices.
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