FAQ
Questions people actually ask
Every one of these came up while setting up and using the device.
Setting it up
Related: Start here · Connect and sign in
- The setup network never appeared.
- Watch the small screen on the front, which says what the box is doing. If a network whose name starts with KiteRelay- still does not show up on your phone, unplug the power and plug it back in. Make sure it is on its own power supply: the other computer’s USB port on its own is not enough to run it reliably.
- I typed kiterelay.local and nothing happened. Is it broken?
- No. KiteRelay does not advertise a .local name by default, so kiterelay.local will not resolve on its own. Use the address the setup page gave you in step 3. You can also give the device a name under Devices and reach it by that name on most devices.
- I lost the address, or I need to redo WiFi setup.
- If your box has a small screen, the address is shown there. To start setup again, unplug the power and plug it back in: its KiteRelay- setup network comes back, and you can rejoin it from your phone and pick your WiFi again.
- The browser says the connection is not private.
- That is expected. KiteRelay uses its own certificate on your network, so your browser cannot vouch for it the way it would for a public website. The connection is still encrypted. Continue past the warning, usually under Advanced, then proceed, and you will reach the sign-in page.
- I forgot my password, or I am locked out.
- On the sign-in page, choose Forgot your password?, then Show the code on my device. The small screen on the front shows a six-digit reset code; type it in within five minutes and set a new password. If you cannot see the small screen, the same page gives you a reference to email to support@kiterelay.com, and we send back a code that does the same job.
- It says it needs activating.
- A new unit is ready to use and will not ask this, but a reflashed or replaced card does. Email support@kiterelay.com with the device ID it shows, and you will be sent a code, starting with KR1-, to paste in. Keep that email: the same code works on your device forever, so a future reflash is just a paste.
Using it
Related: The control page · Screen unlock · Keeps it awake
- Do I need to install anything on the computer I am controlling?
- No. There is nothing to install on it. It sees a standard keyboard, mouse and monitor, so there is no agent to set up and nothing to remove later.
- Does the other computer need to be on?
- Yes. KiteRelay shows you the screen of a computer that is up and running its operating system, and acts as its keyboard and mouse. It needs the other computer to be on.
- Do I need to plug in a network cable?
- No. WiFi is all it needs. A cable is optional.
- What screen quality do I get?
- 1600x900 at 60 frames a second, one to one with the source, which feels smooth and even, and it is the 60 Hz signal that even locked-down corporate laptops accept. The picture travels as H.264 over WebRTC, and on a weak connection it falls back automatically to a simpler path so your keyboard and mouse stay responsive.
Away from home
Related: Remote access
- Can I use it away from home?
- Yes, with the free Tailscale option in Settings. You need the Tailscale app on the device you are connecting from as well.
- I turned on Tailscale but I still cannot connect.
- Check two things. First, the device you are connecting from also needs to be signed in to Tailscale. Second, if you are running another VPN, turn it off. Most VPNs block this kind of private connection.
- My WiFi router is a travel router or a guest network.
- The box and the device you are controlling it from must be on the same network. If they are on two different networks, they cannot see each other.
Buying
- How much is it?
- $599, in US dollars, paid once. Delivery anywhere in the United States is $9.95, and any tax for your state is added on top. You see the total before you pay anything. We ship within the United States only for now.
- Are there any monthly fees?
- No. You pay once. Updates and support are included forever.
- Is this legal?
- KiteRelay is built for controlling a computer you own or are authorised to manage. That is what it is sold for.
Setting it up for the first time? Start with the setup guide.