Pairing a device
Connect a phone, tablet or computer to your host, once, and what to do when the host isn't listed.
Pairing introduces a device to the host. You do it once per device; after that, the device connects by itself whenever it opens.
Pair with a PIN
- Open Basalt on the device. It lists the hosts it finds on your network.
- Choose your host.
- On the host, Basalt Host shows the device asking to join, with a six-digit PIN. Type the PIN on the device.
The PIN is only good for a few minutes, and only for that request. If it runs out, choose the host again for a new one.
Where you see the PIN depends on the host:
| Host | Where the PIN shows |
|---|---|
| Windows or Linux desktop | In Basalt Host’s window |
| No screen, or Docker | In Manage host, on the device that manages the host |
To turn a device away instead, decline its request.
A host can be set to let devices join without a PIN: Ask for a PIN when pairing, in its settings. Leave it on unless everyone on your network is someone you would hand the drive to. See Devices and access.
Set up a host with no screen
A host with no screen, or in Docker, waits for its first device with a setup code instead of a PIN. It shows in the list as new.
- Choose the host marked new.
- Type its setup code: eight letters and numbers, such as
K7QF-M2XR. On the host,sudo basalt-host statusshows it (docker exec basalt basalt-host statusin Docker).
That device then manages the host. Every device after it pairs with a PIN, shown in that device’s Manage host.
Check it is your host
The first time a device pairs, Basalt shows the host’s name and a short identity, such as 3fa91c07. It is unique to that host. For a host with no screen, basalt-host status shows it too, so you can check they match.
From then on, the device remembers the host’s identity and checks it every time it connects. A different computer pretending to be your host, even at the same address, is refused.
Pair by address
Some networks stop devices from finding each other: guest Wi-Fi, some mesh systems, a router’s isolation setting. If your host isn’t listed:
- Choose Enter the address instead, below the list.
- Type the host’s address, such as
192.168.1.20. Basalt Host shows it in its settings, under Address; for a host with no screen,basalt-host statusshows it. - Pair with the PIN as usual.
The address is only used to find the host. What the device trusts is the PIN, then the host’s identity, so this is just as safe.
If the host isn’t listed on a network where it should be, check the host’s firewall first. See Troubleshooting.
More than one host
A device can be paired with several hosts, such as one at home and one in the office. To switch, open Settings (More on Android), and choose Change drive. It lists the hosts this device knows, and finds new ones.
Forget a host
Forget this drive, in Settings (More on Android), unpairs this device. To use the drive again, pair with a new PIN.
To remove a device from the host’s side, see Devices and access.
Something unclear, or not covered here? Ask in Help and setup, where the community and Refora Technologies answer, or write to us, and we will improve this page.