Devices aren't finding each other on WiFi

The most common Photo Transfer App support issue: one device can't see the other in its list of discovered devices. The good news is the cause is almost always one of a handful of things, and they're easy to check.

1. Are both devices on the same WiFi network?

This is the #1 cause. Things to check:

Mobile data alone won't work — both devices need WiFi.
If your router broadcasts two networks (often "2.4 GHz" and "5 GHz" with separate names, or "main" + "guest"), make sure both devices are on the same one. They look like one network to you but to your router they're two networks that don't talk to each other for discovery.
VPN active on either device? Local discovery often breaks behind a VPN. Try disabling it for the transfer.

2. Did you grant Local Network permission (iOS)?

iOS requires apps to explicitly ask for permission to find devices on the local network. If you tapped "Don't Allow" on Photo Transfer App's prompt, discovery won't work.

Fix: Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → Photo Transfer App → toggle on.

3. Is "client isolation" enabled on your router?

Some routers — especially in hotels, cafés, schools, and offices — enable a feature called client isolation or AP isolation that blocks devices on the network from seeing each other. This is a security setting that intentionally breaks all device-to-device discovery.

On a home router: log into the router's admin page and disable client isolation. On a public network you don't control: use a personal hotspot from one of the devices and connect the other device to that hotspot instead.

4. Firewall on Windows or Mac?

Photo Transfer App needs to be allowed through the computer's firewall.

Windows: a Windows Defender Firewall prompt should appear the first time you run the app — make sure you click Allow access. If you previously dismissed or blocked it: Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall → find Photo Transfer App, ensure both Private and Public are checked.
Mac: System Settings → Network → Firewall. Either turn the firewall off temporarily, or click Firewall Options and make sure Photo Transfer App is set to Allow incoming connections.

5. Try a fresh start

Quit Photo Transfer App on both devices (force-close on the phone; quit on the computer).
Reopen both.
Tap Send on one and Receive on the other.
Wait 10–15 seconds for mDNS discovery to complete.

If none of the above worked

Open Photo Transfer App, tap the ••• menu (top-right), and tap Contact support. The app pre-fills an email to our support team with the diagnostics we need — just add a quick description and send.