FAQ

Do I need an account to use Partner?

No. As soon as you install Partner, the host gets a stable machine ID and a short-lived connection code, and it becomes reachable — no sign-up required. An account is an optional convenience that lets you keep a named device list and manage machines. See Getting started.

What is the machine ID?

A stable identifier for the machine. Partner derives it from the operating system's own machine identifier and keeps it across restarts and reboots, so a machine keeps the same identity over time. The underlying OS identifier itself is never exposed.

What is the connection code and why does it keep changing?

It is a short-lived credential that authorizes an incoming session. It rotates on host restart and after it is used, and it expires after a few minutes of being idle — the same "rotating password" idea as TeamViewer. This keeps access from relying on a single static, reusable secret. Run partnerd status for the current code, or partnerd rotate to force a new one.

Do I need to open firewall ports?

No. The host stays reachable through an outbound keep-alive connection, so there are no inbound ports to forward.

Does Partner run when no one is logged in?

Yes, once you turn on unattended access in the Partner app. Installing Partner does not start anything in the background by itself. Unattended access registers a system service that starts at boot, so you can reach the machine even when nobody is signed in at the screen.

Which operating systems are supported?

Windows and Linux today, on 64-bit x86 (Intel/AMD):

• Windows: PartnerSetup.exe to install, or PartnerPortable.exe to run without installing.
• Linux: .deb (Debian/Ubuntu), .rpm (Fedora/RHEL), .pkg.tar.zst (Arch), or the AppImage to run without installing.

macOS is coming soon. Everything is on the download page.

Why are the downloads so simple — no extra installs?

Each download bundles what Partner needs. On Windows there are no runtimes or redistributables to install. On Linux, Partner ships its own codec and capture libraries, and your package manager installs the desktop's GTK and tray libraries automatically.

I cloned a machine (or a VM template) and now it asks for a new identity

If the same identity appears to be running on two machines at once (for example, from a cloned disk or VM image), the Partner service detects the collision and signals the newcomer to take a fresh identity and re-register. This is expected and protects you from two machines silently sharing one identity. Normal restarts and reinstalls on the same machine keep the original identity.

Can two people own the same machine?

A machine can be claimed by only one account at a time. To move ownership, the current owner revokes it, then the new owner claims it.

How do I completely remove Partner?

See Uninstall. If the machine was claimed to your account, revoke it from your controller so it drops off your device list.

Is my screen data sent through Partner's servers?

Sessions are established to run peer-to-peer where the network allows, so the actual screen/control data travels directly between the two machines rather than through a central media server.