🌐 How Workbench Connects
Workbench connects with a direct connection between your devices (whenever possible). If your network blocks or restricts that connection method, Workbench automatically falls back to a TURN relay server to keep the session going.
Direct Connection
Best performance
Lowest latency
TURN relay Fallback
Used when a direct connection isn't possible
Higher latency and slower performance
🔒 Security Information
All traffic is end-to-end encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption
Screen data is never stored or cached on Astropad's servers
Remote access requires both devices be signed into the same Astropad account at the same time for an active connection
macOS displays a system level screen sharing icon in the menu bar whenever Workbench is active, which cannot be removed or hidden
⚠️ What Can Affect Workbench on a Restricted Network
Corporate and other restricted networks are designed to control traffic, however, this can interfere with Workbench in a few ways:
Firewalls
If your firewall blocks connections to Astropad, Workbench won't be able to connect
Proxy Systems
Heavy proxy configurations can add large amounts of latency or even drop connections
VPN
Workbench can generally support one device on a VPN at a time. If you have both devices on a VPN at the same time, it can cause connection issues. If you're having trouble connecting on a VPN, try turning it off to see if it helps.
Heavily Restricted Regions
Network restrictions in certain regions (such as China) can block the connection entirely, so make sure your region will allow Workbench.
🔌Firewall Ports
Workbench currently uses dynamic ports, meaning there is no fixed port to open on your firewall.
✅ Best Practices for Corporate Networks
Test your connection on a personal network first. If it works on in that environment, but not on your corporate network, then your corporate network is probably interfering.
Try disabling VPN on one or both devices if you have trouble connecting
Check with your IT Department to ensure that Workbench will work in that specific environment, as some protocols could block the connection