> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ade-app.dev/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ADE Relay

> Connect to your ADE machines over the internet when a direct connection is not available.

ADE Relay is ADE's internet fallback. It helps your phone, another Mac, or the web client reach your machine when they cannot connect directly.

You need to sign in because Relay uses ADE-hosted infrastructure. Both devices must be signed in to the same ADE account.

## When ADE uses Relay

ADE chooses the connection for you:

1. It first tries a direct connection, such as your local network or tailnet.
2. If those routes are unavailable and both devices are signed in, it tries ADE Relay.
3. If you are signed out, ADE tells you when Relay is the missing connection option.

You do not need Relay to use ADE on one Mac. Direct pairing can also work without an account when your devices can reach each other.

## Connect with Relay

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in on your machine">
    Open ADE and sign in to your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in on your other device">
    Use the same ADE account on your phone, another Mac, or the web client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your machine">
    Your account's machines appear automatically. ADE tries the best available connection, including Relay when needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Relay is a transport, not cloud storage, and it does not store your ADE project state. Relay traffic is not end-to-end encrypted, however, so the Relay operator can read traffic while it passes through ADE-hosted infrastructure. Direct LAN and Tailscale connections do not pass through Relay.
</Note>

## If Relay is unavailable

* Confirm both devices are signed in to the same ADE account.
* Keep ADE running on the machine you want to reach.
* Open **Connections** and try the machine again. ADE shows the connection route that failed and the next action to take.
* If you prefer not to use Relay, connect over the same local network, Tailscale, or an SSH setup you configured yourself.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="iOS companion" icon="mobile-screen" href="/tools/ios-companion">
    Connect ADE Mobile to your Mac.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Remote machines" icon="server" href="/tools/remote-machines">
    Connect to a development machine over SSH.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>