Secure Pairing: QR Code and 6-Digit Check
Published 2026-09-26 · Updated 2026-10-05
Secure pairing with a QR code and 6-digit check is how your iPhone and Mac learn to trust each other before any screen or keystroke leaves either device.
Pairing sequence
Mac (helper) iPhone (app)
| |
| User: Pair New Device |
| Show QR (public key + rendezvous) |
|------------------------------------->| Scan QR
| |
| Display 6-digit code | Display 6-digit code
| (bound into Noise IK) | User compares both
|<====================================>| Confirm if match
| |
| Noise IK handshake completes |
| Session keys for this link |
v v
If the codes do not match, tap They don’t match on the iPhone and start a new pairing on the Mac. The code is part of the handshake, so a phone holding a different code cannot finish pairing anyway.
Rules that protect you
| Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 120-second window | A photo of the QR code goes stale quickly. |
| Single-use window | Only one device can complete that pairing. |
| Three wrong codes | Closes the window against guessing. |
| Six-digit code in handshake | A middlebox cannot finish pairing without knowing what both screens showed. |
After pairing, each connection still runs a fresh Noise IK handshake with forward secrecy, as described on security.
Steps on the Mac
- Install the helper and move it to Applications if prompted.
- Allow Accessibility and Screen Recording (Screen & System Audio Recording on macOS 15+).
- Click the menu-bar icon › Pair New Device.
- Leave the QR window open until the phone finishes.
Full permission paths are in macOS permissions help.
Revoke access
Every paired phone appears in the Mac menu. Revoke ends that phone’s live session at once, not only its next connection.
Web browser pairing
A browser client for Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Arc is in preview. Browser pairing is in preview too; for now, pair from the iPhone app.
Troubleshooting
See pairing help if codes fail, the window expires, or the phone cannot see the Mac on the network. For remote reach after pairing, read works anywhere.
Get the apps
Download the Mac helper and install the iPhone app from the public TestFlight beta while the App Store release is in review. Then follow control Mac from iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
How does Poket PC pairing work?
On the Mac, choose Pair New Device to show a QR code. Scan it with the iPhone app, compare the six-digit code on both screens, and confirm. The code is mixed into the Noise IK handshake.
How long is the pairing window open?
The window is single-use, closes after 120 seconds, and closes after three wrong codes.
Can I pair more than one iPhone?
You pair one device per window. Start a new pairing on the Mac for each additional phone.
How do I revoke a phone?
Revoke it from the Mac menu bar. The live session ends immediately, not only future connections.
Do I need an account to pair?
No. Trust is established with keys exchanged during pairing; there is no sign-in.