Help & FAQ
The MetalPipe app has a built-in checklist too: tap the ? in the top corner. It checks Local Network access, pairing, and whether your Mac is online.
Troubleshooting
“Looking for your Mac…” never finishes
- Make sure MetalPipe Receiver is open on the Mac.
- Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and not a guest network (those often keep devices apart).
- Check that Local Network access is on: Settings ▸ Apps ▸ MetalPipe ▸ Local Network.
- VPNs on either device can hide the Mac. Try with the VPN off.
MetalPipe isn't in the broadcast list
The broadcast feature is installed together with the app. Restart the iPhone or iPad; if it's still missing, delete and reinstall MetalPipe.
The app says the Mac removed this device
The pairing was removed on the Mac (for example in Settings ▸ Devices). Tap Pair again next to the Mac, then on the Mac choose MetalPipe ▸ Pair iPhone or iPad… (⌘P) and enter the code.
The stream is choppy, freezes or lags
- Wi-Fi is the usual cause. Use the 5 GHz band on both devices; crowded 2.4 GHz networks can carry only a fraction of what a full-quality stream needs. Ethernet for the Mac helps too.
- Keep View ▸ Smooth Playback on in MetalPipe Receiver for an even picture.
- Choose 30 fps in the MetalPipe app (Stream settings ▸ Frame rate) to halve the data the stream needs.
- To see what's happening, turn on Settings ▸ General ▸ Show stream stats in the window in MetalPipe Receiver.
No sound on the Mac or in OBS
- Check that Audio ▸ Mute iPhone/iPad Audio isn't ticked in MetalPipe Receiver.
- In OBS, add a macOS Audio Capture source with Application set to MetalPipe Receiver.
- Some apps, such as protected video services, don't allow their sound or picture to be captured.
The picture is black for some apps
Apps that play protected video (for example some streaming services) block screen capture. That's iOS protecting the content, and it affects every screen-recording app.
The broadcast stopped with a memory message
iOS gives broadcast features very little memory. MetalPipe stops itself cleanly before iOS would end it without warning. Start the broadcast again; if it keeps happening, tell us which app you were streaming.
The broadcast ended after 15 minutes
That's the free version's limit. Start a new broadcast straight away, or get Pro for unlimited length.
Frequently asked questions
Does it need an internet connection?
No. Pairing and streaming happen entirely on your local network. The stream never goes through the internet or any server.
Is the stream private?
Yes. Only devices you've paired with a code can connect, and the stream is encrypted between your device and your Mac. See the privacy policy.
How much delay is there?
It depends mostly on your Wi-Fi. Smooth Playback on the Mac adds about 0.1–0.2 s on busy networks and can be turned off for the lowest delay. We're measuring it properly against other ways of getting a phone or tablet into OBS, and will publish the numbers.
Does it work on Windows, or without a Mac?
Not yet: MetalPipe streams to MetalPipe Receiver on a Mac. A native OBS source, including Windows support, is on the roadmap.
Do I have to use OBS?
No. MetalPipe Receiver is a normal Mac window, so you can share it in a video call, record it with the Mac's screen recording, or just watch it on a bigger screen.
Is my microphone included?
No, only the sound of the apps on your device. Use your Mac's microphone in OBS for your voice; it keeps the two separate so you can balance them.
Can several devices stream at once?
You can pair several iPhones and iPads with one Mac, and one of them streams at a time. Streaming several at once is on the roadmap.
Does it rotate when I turn my device?
Yes. The Mac window follows your device between portrait and landscape.
Still stuck?
Email support@trikaalx.in. Tell us your device, your Mac, and what you see.