Remote access
Reach home models from anywhere. On Mac, use LM Mini Home → Share with phone. Connect for Mac is deprecated through the end of 2026. Windows and Linux use LM Mini Connect.
On Mac, install LM Mini Home and open Share with phone. Scan the QR on the phone under Settings → Remote Access. Traffic is encrypted with a key only you control. Then you can sync chats so phone and Mac stay in the same room.
When you need this
- You’re on cellular or another Wi‑Fi and still want models on the Mac
- You want the same chats on phone and Mac (sync)
- You want Kokoro speech from the Mac on the phone
Same-Wi‑Fi LM Studio / Ollama does not need remote access. Point the app at the LAN address — Getting started.
Connect for Mac is deprecated through 31 December 2026. Walkthrough: LM Studio & Ollama on your phone.
Mac — LM Mini Home (current)
- Install LM Mini Home from Download. Drag it to Applications, then open it.
- Optionally start LM Studio or Ollama on this Mac — or run models inside Home itself.
- Open Share with phone (window or menu bar) and show the QR code.
- On the phone: Settings → Remote Access → scan to pair.
- If asked Keep chats in sync?, enable it to continue threads on either device.
- Chat. Off your home Wi‑Fi, the phone uses this pairing.
Remote chat away from home is a Pro feature. Pairing and sync use that same Home connection.
Windows / Linux
There is no first-party LM Mini desktop app there yet. Install LM Mini Connect on the PC, show the QR, scan from the phone. That path does not include Home-style chat sync.
Mac Connect installers stay downloadable through 31 December 2026 for people already on that path. Prefer Home for new Mac setups.
USB mode
Some iPhone builds can talk to a Mac over USB instead of Wi‑Fi. Treat it as advanced: it is mutually exclusive with remote pairing. Everyday setups should use LAN or Share with phone.
Privacy
- The QR sets a shared secret only you have
- The connection is not “open LM Studio to the internet”
- You do not port-forward port
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