Frequently asked questions

Does my computer need to stay on?

Yes. MyNest connects directly to your actual computer, not a cloud replica. It needs to be powered on with the MyNest Agent running. If you put your computer to sleep or shut it down, the connection pauses until it wakes up.

Do I need to touch my router or open ports?

No. The agent opens a secure outbound connection to negotiate peer-to-peer tunnels. You never have to configure port forwarding, mess with dynamic DNS, or poke holes in your home firewall.

Windows says "Windows protected your PC". Is that normal?

Yes. As an independent developer project, we haven't paid for expensive enterprise code-signing certificates yet. SmartScreen automatically warns on newer downloads it hasn't seen millions of times. You can check the SHA-256 hash on our download page to verify the file, then click More info → Run anyway.

Why can't I edit files or run commands right away?

For your protection, write access is strictly opt-in. That way, even if someone picked up your phone, they couldn't alter your PC. When you want to edit files or run terminal commands, toggle permissions in the app under Settings → PC permissions. They automatically switch back off after the time limit you set.

I only see my user folder, not my other drives.

To keep things clean and private, MyNest starts by showing only your primary user folder. If you want access to other hard drives or external storage, turn on Share all drives in the app or agent window. Critical operating system directories remain protected either way.

The pairing code on my computer wasn't accepted.

Pairing codes expire every few minutes to keep guessing attacks impossible. Make sure you enter the fresh code currently displayed on your screen, and check that both devices have an internet connection.

How do I unlink a computer?

In the phone app, swipe to remove the computer, or click Unlink this PC in the agent window. Access is cut off immediately and cryptographic session keys are deleted.

Can I connect an iPhone to a Windows PC, or an Android phone to a Mac?

Yes. That was one of the biggest reasons we built MyNest. Most big tech tools force you into single-brand silos. For example, Apple Sidecar only works if you have both a Mac and an iPad, while Microsoft Phone Link focuses on Windows and Android. With MyNest, you can pull a file from your Windows PC using an iPhone, check your Mac from an Android phone, or manage a Linux server from an iPad. There are no artificial brand restrictions.

Do I need iTunes, iCloud, or Google Drive installed?

No. You don't need any third-party sync apps or cloud storage subscriptions. MyNest creates a direct, encrypted peer-to-peer tunnel between your devices. Your files travel straight between your computer and your phone without sitting on outside cloud servers.

Have a question not listed here?

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