Connect as a Receiver & Stream from a Host
Receiver Mode turns your Android phone, tablet, or Windows device into a remote client. Connect to a host server over Wi-Fi to browse their full media library, stream video in real time, or use your phone as a full remote control for your PC.
Key Capabilities of Receiver Mode
- Browse Server Playlists: Inspect the host's entire media collection directly from your receiver without transferring files.
- Real-Time Direct Streaming: Tap any track or movie on the host server to stream it over Wi-Fi instantly.
- Full Remote Control: Play, pause, skip, seek, shuffle, and toggle repeat modes on the host machine.
- State Synchronization: Keeps track position, playing status, and quality settings synced every second between host and client.
- One-Tap Offline Download: Save server playlists or video files to local device storage for offline travel. See Copy from Server guide.
3 Ways to Connect to a Host Server
Open the Streaming Mode dialog by tapping the Cast Icon 📡 on the home toolbar:
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Wait for Server (Automatic Discovery):
Tap Wait for Server. RideStream listens on your LAN for active host broadcasts (and polls candidate hosts over HTTP). When your PC or host device appears, tap it to connect automatically.
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Connect to Saved Server:
Previously paired host servers are saved automatically. Tap any saved host entry in your history list to reconnect instantly.
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Connect by Manual IP Address:
If auto-discovery is blocked on your router, enter the host's LAN IP address (e.g.
192.168.1.105) into the IP input field and tap Connect. Tip: when the host is a phone/laptop hotspot, its IP is the network gateway (typically192.168.43.1on Android,192.168.137.1on Windows).
Native Receiver Mode
Enable the Native Receiver Mode toggle inside the Streaming Mode dialog for a persistent connection state. Once paired, the status bar updates to show "Connected to [Host IP]" with quick action buttons for Open Player and Disconnect.
Remote Control & State Sync
While connected, your phone acts as an interactive remote control for the host PC:
- Remote Play/Pause: Control the host's main speakers from across the room.
- Track Skipping & Queue Management: Select any item in the server queue to switch tracks instantly.
- Quality Alignment: The host can push quality presets (High/Native, 720p, 480p) to all client receivers simultaneously.
🔧 Troubleshooting Receiver Connections
❓ Server Not Showing in Auto-Discovery List?
- Verify Host Status: Confirm that RideStream is running in Host Mode on your PC or host device.
- Network Subnet: Make sure cellular data is toggled off or your Wi-Fi interface is actively connected to the same subnet as the host.
- Network must allow peers: Guest SSIDs, "AP/Client Isolation" on the router, and public/hotel/café Wi-Fi block devices from seeing each other. Move both devices to the same non-guest network.
- Windows host: On the host PC, the network must be Private with Network discovery on, and the firewall must allow UDP 8082 + TCP 9191.
- Use Manual IP: Type the host PC's local IP address (e.g.
192.168.1.100) directly into the IP field.
For the full breakdown, see the Network Discovery guide.
❓ What Does the Red "Incompatible Version" Banner Mean?
RideStream requires matching major protocol versions between host and receiver. Update both your Windows PC and Android app to the latest store versions to resolve incompatibility.