FAQ
Do I need an Apple Developer account?
You need whatever Xcode already requires to run apps on a physical device — a free or paid Apple Developer account for code signing. Nuticast doesn't add any additional Apple account requirement.
Does this replace Tailscale?
No. Tailscale has to already be installed and signed in on both your Mac and your iPhone, with both joined to the same tailnet. Nuticast only bridges the RemotePairing/Bonjour handshake over the tunnel Tailscale already gives you.
Why does the bridge refuse to start sometimes?
If the app detects your iPhone is still on the same local network as your Mac, it refuses to start the bridge on purpose. Starting it anyway would register a duplicate Bonjour record and could collide with the iPhone's real, local advertisement. Move the iPhone off the LAN (different Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) and try again.
What does "Scan port" actually do?
It re-runs the RemotePairing handshake probe against the device's last-known Tailscale IP and port. Use it after a bridge reports an Error — for example if the iPhone just came back online and the app hasn't automatically noticed yet.
What happens if my Mac's IP address changes?
Active bridges automatically restart when the app detects your Mac's own IP has changed — for example after switching Wi-Fi networks or reconnecting a VPN. You don't need to manually restart anything.
Do bridges survive an app relaunch or restart?
Yes. Any bridge that was active when you quit the app auto-restores the next time it launches. Combine this with the Launch at Login setting for a bridge that comes back automatically after a full restart.
Where is my Tailscale CLI path configured?
In Settings. If tailscale isn't on your default PATH, or you installed it somewhere non-standard, set the path there — a "Test device list" button confirms the app can actually run it.
Is any of my traffic sent to a third-party server?
No. Nuticast has no cloud component and no account system. It shells out locally to tailscale and dns-sd, and relays traffic over the Tailscale tunnel you already control.
Do I need a license to try the app?
No. Download it and try the discovery and device-pairing flow for free. See the pricing page for what a license supports.