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1. Open KDE Connect on both devices
KDE Connect needs its phone app and desktop component running. Open KDE Connect on the phone and on the computer, then check whether each device appears on the other. When they do, request pairing from either device and accept the prompt on the other. KDE’s pairing guidance describes this basic flow.
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2. Check that the devices can communicate on the network
Put both devices on the same local network and check whether that network permits devices to communicate with one another. Being connected to the same Wi-Fi name does not guarantee that local discovery is allowed: guest networks, client isolation, or other network rules may block communication between devices. KDE identifies blocked UDP broadcast packets as one possible reason devices do not discover each other. See the KDE Connect troubleshooting guidance.
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- If your router or network administrator has enabled wireless-client or device isolation, check whether it can be disabled for these devices.
- If the network is managed by an organization, ask whether local device discovery or UDP broadcast traffic is blocked.
3. Check the computer’s firewall
KDE UserBase documents KDE Connect’s dynamic port range as 1714–1764 for both UDP and TCP. If a firewall is active on the computer, allow that range for both protocols in the applicable network zone. Apply the rule using instructions for your firewall rather than assuming the same steps work on every system.
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KDE’s firewall documentation includes examples for UFW and firewalld. For firewalld, the documentation cautions against using the public zone for KDE Connect; choose a suitable trusted zone for your network instead. The necessary firewall controls and labels depend on your operating system and firewall.
4. Try manual discovery by IP address
If automatic discovery still fails, manual discovery can help distinguish a discovery problem from a broader connectivity problem. On Android, KDE documents an Add devices by IP option on the app’s device screen. Enter the other device’s reachable IP address and check that the devices can communicate on the network.
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KDE’s desktop configuration also supports a customDevices list. Consult the manual device discovery instructions for the relevant configuration details. If the devices cannot communicate over the network, entering an address will not resolve that underlying problem.
5. Reset configuration only if the earlier checks fail
A damaged KDE Connect configuration may cause pairing to crash. KDE UserBase suggests stopping the KDE Connect daemon and moving ~/.config/kdeconnect aside so KDE Connect can create a clean configuration. Treat this as a last resort: moving the folder can remove saved settings and pairings. Keep the old folder as a backup rather than deleting it.
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Follow KDE’s configuration recovery instructions for the appropriate way to stop the daemon and restore or replace the configuration. Do not use this step to troubleshoot a network where the devices still cannot reach each other.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When the symptom is specific to iOS
KDE UserBase documents iOS limitations: notification synchronization is unavailable, and the connection cannot be kept alive while KDE Connect is not on-screen. If the connection drops when the iOS app is backgrounded, that behavior may reflect the documented platform limitation rather than a firewall problem. KDE says its Android and Plasma pairing example should be similar on iOS and Windows, but settings and controls are not identical across platforms. See the platform notes.
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Choose the next check by symptom
| What you see | What to check next |
|---|---|
| Neither device appears in discovery | Confirm both KDE Connect components are open, then check local network reachability, broadcast restrictions, and the computer firewall. |
| The other device is reachable by IP but absent from automatic discovery | Try manual discovery using the device’s reachable IP address and KDE’s documented manual-discovery settings. |
| Pairing causes KDE Connect to crash | After checking network and firewall conditions, consider a backed-up configuration reset. |
| An iOS connection drops when the app is backgrounded | Check KDE’s documented iOS limitation before changing firewall rules. |
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