iOSThe RoachNet companion
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What you need
- An iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later, and a working SideStore or AltStore setup on it.
- A Mac running RoachNet. Version 0.3.1 works with RoachNet 1.0.6 or later; themes, theme packs and the Org on the phone need RoachNet 1.1.
- A way for the phone to reach the Mac securely: your tailnet (Tailscale), or an HTTPS relay you run yourself. The companion bridge listens on the Mac's loopback address only.
Install from the RoachNet source
In SideStore or AltStore, add the RoachNet source:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RoachWares/RoachNet-SideStore/main/apps.jsonInstall RoachNetiOS from the source list. SideStore or AltStore signs it with your Apple ID.
Updates show up in the same source.
With AltStore, keep AltServer running on your Mac, and refresh the app before its signing window runs out.
Or install the IPA
Download RoachNetiOS-v0.3.1-unsigned.ipa to Files. In SideStore or AltStore, open My Apps, tap the add button and pick the IPA. Reinstalling the same IPA normally keeps the app's data.
With a free Apple ID, a signature lasts 7 days, so refresh the app in SideStore or AltStore before then. Apple's other sideloading limits still apply, and the SideStore docs cover them.
Pair with your Mac
On the Mac, turn on RoachTail and note its join code. A code works once and expires after 10 minutes.
On the phone, choose Pair with RoachTail and enter the code.
The phone gets its own device token. The Mac keeps only a hash of it, and lists the phone under Linked devices.
The phone sends its token only over HTTPS, inside a tailnet (Tailscale addresses and *.ts.net names), or to the device itself. Since 0.3.0 the companion refuses plain http:// to a .local name or a Wi-Fi address. If you paired 0.2.0 that way, pair again through RoachTail or a tailnet address.
What it does
The phone is a companion, not a second copy: the models, the Vault and the installs stay on the Mac. Here's what you get on the phone:
- RoachClaw chat with your Mac's models, plus voice prompts.
- Home: the Mac's status, quick actions and the Org at a glance.
- Org approvals, behind Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode (RoachNet 1.1 or later).
- Vault and runtime state, cached on the phone for when the Mac is out of reach.
- RoachNet Apps installs sent to the Mac. They wait in a queue while the Mac is away.
- With RoachNet 1.1, the companion follows the theme you picked on the Mac. You can turn that off under Connection › Appearance.
Related
- RoachTail explains the device tokens and Linked devices.
- Companion bridge lists what the phone can call.
- roachnet.org/ios · RoachNet-iOS on GitHub