The first time you open the Iris desktop app on a computer, Iris runs a one-time Bridge Setup that links that computer to a Studio as its bridge. This bridge acts as the communication point between your devices and Iris. If your account doesn't have a Studio yet, Iris creates one and links the computer for you. If you already have Studios, you choose which one this computer should work with, or create a new one. After that, the computer opens its Studio automatically every time you launch Iris. Bridge Setup only runs in the desktop app. Iris in a web browser has no bridge, so it skips this step.
Step‑by‑Step Guide
1. First‑time setup (Bridge Setup)
Download and install the Iris Studio Desktop App.
Launch the app and sign in with your account credentials.
If your account doesn't have a Studio yet, Iris creates one, links this computer as its bridge, and opens it. You're done.
If you already have one or more Studios, the Studio Picker is the first screen you see. It's labeled BRIDGE SETUP, with the heading Looks like you're on a new machine and the text "This computer's bridge isn't linked to a studio yet. Create a new one, or link it to a studio you already have." You'll see One-time setup at the top right and a chip reading This computer followed by this computer's name. If you're new to Iris, you'll also see a short three-step guide. Iris asks even if you have only one Studio. It never links automatically.
Click the Create studio card to make a new Studio named after this computer, in your default Organization (there's no name field; you can rename it later in Studio settings). While it works, you'll see "Creating [computer name]…" and "Linking this bridge, then opening the studio." Or pick a Studio under Or connect to an existing studio. Each Studio card shows the Studio name, your role in it (for example, Owner), when it was created, and a badge: Not linked or Linked to followed by a computer's name. Studios with only Iris Enabled cameras appear like any other Studio, and you can link to them normally.
Picking a Not linked Studio links this computer and opens the Studio. Its card shows "Connecting [computer name] to [Studio name]…" while it links. From then on, it opens automatically on this computer.
To view the bridge, click the Bridge icon in the upper-right corner of the app. You’ll see your computer listed under Bridges, along with current performance metrics.
2. Using a different computer as the bridge
If you’d prefer to use another computer as the bridge for a Studio you already have:
On the other computer, install the Iris Studio Desktop App.
Sign in using the same account. Iris shows Bridge Setup, because this computer isn't linked yet. Signing in doesn't create a new Studio or link this computer on its own.
Under Or connect to an existing studio, pick your Studio. If its badge reads Linked to followed by another computer's name, Iris shows an Unlink Bridge confirmation: "A Studio can only be linked to one Bridge at a time. To link this Studio to a new Bridge, you must first unlink [computer name]."
Confirm to unlink the other computer and link this one. Iris opens the Studio on this computer. If you cancel, close the dialog, click outside it, or press Escape, nothing changes.
Open the Bridge tray by clicking the Bridge icon in the top-right corner to see performance stats for the bridge.
Before you confirm: confirming takes the other computer offline from that Studio. Its Studio session ends, and the next time Iris opens there, it shows Bridge Setup. Don't do this while a live production is running on the other computer.
3. Viewing bridge details
Click the Bridge icon to open the bridge tray. Here’s what you can do:
Rename the bridge to something descriptive
Restart the bridge if needed
Monitor system stats like CPU usage, RAM usage, and available disk space
4. When the bridge goes offline
You’ll see the bridge status reflected in the tray
The app will try to reconnect automatically
If it stays offline, make sure the computer is powered on and connected to the same local network
Restarting the app or the bridge computer can help if needed
5. Updating your bridge
If a new version is available, you’ll see an Update Version button in the tray
Clicking it will start the update and the bridge will briefly go offline
Once the update finishes, the bridge will reconnect automatically
How It Works and What to Expect
Iris bridges simplify your setup by designating a computer as the connection point for your studio. The first time you open the desktop app on a computer, Bridge Setup links that computer to a Studio, and from then on it opens that Studio automatically. From there, everything connected to the same local network can interact through it. You’ll always be able to check on the bridge’s health through the tray, including resource usage and update availability.
Tips, Limitations, and Best Practices
Tip: Choose a machine for your bridge that will stay powered on and connected for best results.
Best Practice: Rename your bridge to match its role or location so you can easily identify it.
Tip: Keep an eye on system usage in the bridge tray to monitor performance.
Limitation: All bridge linking must be done through the Desktop App, not the web.
Best Practice: Keep your bridge on the same local network as your studio devices. Camera and source discovery works within a single network, so a device on a different subnet or VLAN will not be found.
FAQs
1. Why did my computer become the bridge automatically?
If your account didn't have a Studio yet, Iris created one and linked this computer as its bridge to make setup easier. If you already have Studios, Iris asks you to pick one or create a new one instead, even when you have only one Studio.
2. Can I use a different computer as the bridge?
Yes. Install the app on the other computer and sign in. In Bridge Setup, click Create studio for a new Studio, or pick an existing Studio. If that Studio is linked to another computer, confirming the Unlink Bridge dialog moves it to this computer and takes the other computer offline from that Studio.
3. What happens if my bridge goes offline?
The app will try to reconnect it automatically. You can also check that the computer is powered on, connected to the same local network, and restart it if needed.
4. Can I manage bridges through the web version of Iris?
No. Bridges can only be linked and managed through the Desktop App.
5. How do I unlink a bridge from a studio?
There's no unlink path for moving a bridge between Studios. To use a different computer for a Studio, open Iris on that computer and pick the Studio in Bridge Setup. Iris shows the Unlink Bridge confirmation. Confirming unlinks the other computer and links this one. The other computer shows Bridge Setup the next time Iris opens there. To link a bridge to a different Studio, sign in with the account that owns that Studio, then link the bridge to it in the Studio Picker.
6. Will the bridge stay online during updates?
No. The bridge will go offline briefly during an update, but it should reconnect automatically once it’s done.
7. Does my bridge need to be on the same local network as my cameras?
Yes. Source discovery works within a single local network, so your cameras and your bridge need to sit on the same network segment. If your setup spans multiple segments, contact support@tryiris.ai and we will go through it with you.
8. What happens if I delete the Studio my bridge is linked to?
The next time Iris launches, it takes you back to the Studio Picker so you can pick or create a Studio. If you see an error after deleting, select Try Again to get past it. You can only delete a Studio when you have more than one.
9. What if setup or launch seems stuck?
Setup and launch have a time limit of about two minutes. You normally won't reach it unless something fails. Instead of loading forever, Iris shows a message so you can try again.
Use Cases
You're setting up Iris on your main workstation for the first time. If you don't have a Studio yet, Iris creates one and links your computer. If you do, pick your Studio or click Create studio in Bridge Setup.
You have a dedicated studio server that you want to act as the bridge. Install the app, sign in, and pick your Studio in Bridge Setup. If another computer is linked to it, confirm the Unlink Bridge dialog when that computer isn't in use.
You're switching locations and need a new laptop to act as the bridge. Sign in on the new machine, pick your Studio in Bridge Setup, and confirm the replacement. The Studio now opens on the new laptop, and the old computer shows Bridge Setup next time.