You can also connect securely from anywhere using a VPN. In this guide, we’ll use Tailscale, a free VPN service that can be set up in just a few minutes. You can also use another VPN solution if you already have one configured.

This is an advanced but useful feature, especially if you already leave your computer running for agents, media servers, backups or other services.

Once connected, you can:

• Stream music from Crates Desktop
• Download tracks for offline listening
• Sync crates 
• Sync your full library

Note: This currently works on iOS only. Android support is coming soon.

Before You Start

You’ll need:

• A Mac or Windows computer running Crates Desktop
• An iPhone or iPad running Crates for iOS
• An internet connection on both devices
• A free Tailscale account

Your computer must be powered on, connected to the internet, and running both Crates Desktop and Tailscale.

1. Install Tailscale on Your Computer

Download Tailscale from:

https://tailscale.com/download

1. Install and open Tailscale.
2. Create a free account or sign in.
3. Leave Tailscale running.

Tailscale runs quietly in the background and does not normally affect your internet connection or other applications.

2. Install Tailscale on Your iPhone or iPad

1. Install Tailscale from the App Store.
2. Sign in using the same account you used on your computer.
3. Allow the VPN permission when iOS asks.
4. Turn on the Tailscale connection.

Your computer should now appear in the Tailscale device list.

3. Enable VPN Connections in Crates for iOS

Open Crates for iOS and go to:

Library → Settings Cog (top right) → Allow Connection via VPN

Enable the switch.

4. Copy Your Computer’s Tailscale Address

In the Tailscale app on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Select your computer from the device list.
2. Copy its MagicDNS hostname.

Crates also supports the Tailscale IP address, but we recommend using the MagicDNS hostname.

You do not need to add a port number.

5. Connect Crates for iOS

1. Open Crates for iOS.
2. Tap the device icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Connect.
4. Select Connect Manually.
5. Paste the MagicDNS hostname.
6. Tap Connect.

Crates for iOS should now connect to Crates Desktop over the VPN.

Using the VPN

You do not need to keep the VPN connected all the time.

Turn it on when you want to stream from Crates Desktop, download tracks, or sync your library remotely. You can turn it off again when you are finished.

Mobile Data Usage

When you are not connected to Wi-Fi, streaming, downloading and syncing will use mobile data.

Large downloads or a full library sync may use a significant amount of data, so check your mobile data allowance before starting.

Troubleshooting

If you cannot connect, check that:

• Your computer is powered on and connected to the internet.
• Crates Desktop is running.
• Tailscale is running on both devices.
• Both devices are signed in to the same Tailscale account.
• Allow Connection via VPN is enabled in Crates for iOS.
• You copied the correct MagicDNS hostname or Tailscale IP address.

If the problem continues, contact Crates Support and include screenshots of the Tailscale device list and the Crates connection screen.

Crates Server can broadcast its connection details in the local network, making it discoverable for other devices such as the iOS app, Crates Desktop UI running on another computer etc 

By default, Crates comes with Server Discoverability enabled. To make sure, please check it under

    Preferences → Mobile tab

If the setting was disabled, please note that to apply the new ON setting, you need to restart Crates (Advanced Tab → Restart Crates)

If the Server is still not under your iOS app Crates Servers list, then please double check that : 

1. you have the latest app versions running on both sides
2. The iOS app and the server are connected on the same Wi-Fi network
   If any of the two is connected with an extender, please note, that service discovery is sometimes blocked this way, so please connect them in the exact same network.

If none of the above worked, it would be interesting to see why..!

There are two things you can do to continue

1) Troubleshoot 

2) Connect manually 

1) Troubleshoot
Please help us troubleshoot by doing the following: 

a) download the free “discovery” app for your mac  and run it.
if server is broadcasting its address correctly, you should see it under the _crates-remote._tcp like below:

b) if you do see it on your mac, then we should try to see on the device running the client.

e.g. if running iOS on your iphone, please download the same discovery free app from the App store .

Please include screenshots like the above in your report to us – it will help a lot!

2) Connect Manually

To find your mac’s IP address, open Terminal and run:

ifconfig | grep “inet ” | grep -v 127.0.0.1

you can find other methods in this wikiHow

In Windows, open command prompt (Run-> cmd) and run: 

ipconfig

It should be the value next to your Ip v4 Address e.g. 192.168.1.5

you can find other methods  in WikiHow (section: Find your Private IP Address)


Great! now back on your phone, tap “set up manually” and type the IP address:

Let us know if it worked!