Overview
Local Mode sends video directly over your local network (e.g., your office Wi-Fi or LAN). Because the video never leaves your network, it offers the lowest latency and does not count toward your plan's cloud usage. Local Mode requires that you and your Bridge are on the same network, and that you use the native Iris desktop application.
Cloud Mode sends video through Iris's cloud servers, so you can view and control your Studio from anywhere in the world — even from a web browser. Cloud Mode consumes your plan's included cloud usage allowance.
The active mode is controlled by a toggle switch in the Studio interface. Iris will also automatically select the best mode for your situation in many cases.
What you need
For Cloud Mode: An active internet connection with sufficient bandwidth. Works in both the Iris desktop app and a web browser.
For Local Mode:
The native Iris desktop application (not a browser). If you attempt to switch to Local Mode from a browser, you will be prompted to download and open the desktop app.
Your computer and your Bridge must be connected to the same local network.
Your Bridge must be online and reachable on the local network.
Permissions: Any Studio member can toggle between modes. Only Admins and Owners can lock the Studio to Local Mode (see below).
Plan: All plans include Local Mode. Cloud Mode usage is subject to your plan's included cloud usage limit.
How to use Local Mode and Cloud Mode
Switching modes
Open your Studio in the Iris desktop app.
Locate the mode toggle switch in the Studio toolbar. The switch shows a cloud icon when Cloud Mode is active, and a cloud-with-slash icon when Local Mode is active.
Click the toggle to switch modes. A confirmation dialog will appear:
"Enable Cloud Mode?" — "Cloud Mode routes your video via the Cloud to your Studio, so you can use it from anywhere in the world."
"Enable Local Mode?" — "Local mode uses only your local network to ingest video. Your sources will no longer be streamed from the Cloud."
Click Enable Cloud Mode or Enable Local Mode to confirm.
A notification will appear: "Your sources are reconnecting. This may take a few moments." while the switch completes.
While switching
The toggle switch shows a spinning indicator while the mode change is in progress.
Once the switch succeeds you'll see a success notification, for example:
"Cloud Mode is active — Sources will now route through the cloud."
"Local Mode activated on [Bridge Name] — Sources for this bridge will now route over your Local network."
Checking your current mode
The toggle switch visually indicates the current mode (cloud icon on/off).
In the Bridge panel, your connection status displays as "Online (local)" or "Online (cloud)".
Automatic mode switching
Iris includes smart auto-switching behavior:
Auto-switch to Local Mode: When you open the Iris desktop app and a local network connection to your Bridge is detected, Iris will automatically switch to Local Mode without any action needed from you.
Fallback to Cloud Mode: If your Bridge goes offline while you are in Local Mode (e.g., the Bridge loses its network connection), Iris will automatically fall back to Cloud Mode to keep your video accessible. When the Bridge comes back online on the local network, Iris will automatically restore Local Mode.
Mode switch timeout: If a mode switch does not complete within about 30 seconds, Iris will automatically revert to the previous mode.
Locking to Local Mode (Admin feature)
Admins and Owners can lock a Studio to Local Mode. This forces all users of that Studio to connect via Local Mode.
While in Local Mode, Admins will see a lock/unlock icon next to the mode toggle.
Click the lock icon to lock the Studio to Local Mode. A notification will appear: "Your Studio is now locked in Local Mode. Users are now required to access the Studio in Local Mode."
Non-Admin users who join will see a dialog: "An Admin has locked this Studio in Local Mode for the following bridges: [names]. To access the Studio, ensure you're connected to the same local network as these bridges." They must open the desktop app and be on the same network.
To unlock, the Admin clicks the lock icon again. A notification will appear: "Your Studio is unlocked from Local Mode. Users can now use the Studio in Local or Cloud mode."
When the Studio is locked to Local Mode, the mode toggle is disabled for all users.
Limits and restrictions
Cloud usage is metered. Each plan includes a certain amount of cloud usage (measured in GB). The exact amount depends on your plan (Free, Standard, Pro, etc.).
Cloud usage warning at 75%. When you've consumed 75% of your included cloud usage, you'll see a warning: "Cloud usage is nearing the limit."
Cloud Mode disabled at 100%. When your cloud usage reaches 100% of your included allowance (and your plan does not allow overages), Cloud Mode is automatically disabled and you are switched to Local Mode. You'll see: "Cloud usage is disabled. You have consumed [X]GB of your included cloud usage limit of [X]GB. Local mode will continue to function."
Overage plans. Some plans allow cloud usage overages at an additional per-GB rate. If your plan allows overages, Cloud Mode will remain available beyond the included limit.
Local Mode is unlimited. There is no usage cap for Local Mode.
Iris-Enabled devices (embedded devices) currently only support Cloud Mode. If you have Iris-Enabled devices connected, the toggle will be locked to Cloud Mode. You'll see: "Iris-Enabled devices currently operate in Cloud Mode only." Local Mode support for these devices is coming soon.
Browser users can only use Cloud Mode. Local Mode requires the native desktop app.
Network requirement for Local Mode: Your computer and Bridge must be on the same local network.
What happens if…
…you try to enable Local Mode from a web browser?
A dialog will appear explaining that Local Mode is only supported in the native Iris application. You'll be offered a button to open the Iris app, or a link to download it.
…your Bridge goes offline while in Local Mode?
Iris automatically falls back to Cloud Mode so your Studio remains accessible. When the Bridge reconnects on the local network, Iris will automatically restore Local Mode.
…your internet drops while in Cloud Mode?
Your video feed will be interrupted. The system will attempt to reconnect automatically. If reconnection does not succeed within about 30 seconds, the connection is flagged as disconnected and will keep retrying.
…you run out of cloud usage?
If your plan does not allow overages, Cloud Mode is automatically disabled. You will be forced into Local Mode and will see an error notification explaining that your cloud usage limit has been reached. Local Mode continues to work. You can upgrade your plan to restore Cloud Mode.
…an Admin locks the Studio to Local Mode and you're in a browser?
You'll see a dialog titled "Studio Locked in Local Mode" with a prompt to open the Iris desktop app. Non-admin users have no option to unlock it; they must use the desktop app on the same network.
…you have Iris-Enabled devices and try to switch to Local Mode?
A dialog will explain that Iris-Enabled devices currently operate in Cloud Mode only, and that Local Mode support is coming soon
…you switch modes while a recording is in progress?
The recording is handled independently from the mode switch. Switching between Local and Cloud Mode does not stop an active recording.
Troubleshooting
Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
Toggle is grayed out / disabled | Studio is locked to Local Mode by an Admin, or you have Iris-Enabled devices connected | Ask your Admin to unlock, or remove Iris-Enabled devices |
"Local Mode Unavailable" dialog appears | You're using a web browser instead of the desktop app | Download and open the native Iris application |
"Local Mode could not activate on [Bridge Name]" | Your computer and Bridge are not on the same network | Connect both to the same local network and try again |
"Cloud Mode connection failed" | No internet connection or insufficient bandwidth | Check your internet connection |
"Cloud usage is disabled" notification | You've exceeded your plan's cloud usage limit | Switch to Local Mode, or upgrade your plan |
Video freezes after switching modes | Mode switch is still in progress | Wait a few moments for sources to reconnect (up to 30 seconds) |
Spinning icon on the toggle won't stop | The mode switch is having trouble connecting | Check your network; if it persists, the system will auto-revert after about 30 seconds |
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between Local Mode and Cloud Mode?
Local Mode sends video directly over your local network. Cloud Mode routes video through Iris's cloud servers. Local Mode is faster and doesn't use your cloud usage quota, but requires the desktop app and the same network. Cloud Mode works from anywhere.
Q: Is Local Mode free to use?
Yes. Local Mode does not count toward your plan's cloud usage limit. It is available on all plans at no extra cost.
Q: Can I use Local Mode from my browser?
No. Local Mode requires the native Iris desktop application. You can download it from the setup page in your account.
Q: Will Iris automatically choose the best mode for me?
Yes. When you open the Iris desktop app, it detects whether your Bridge is available on the local network and will automatically switch to Local Mode. If the local connection is lost, it falls back to Cloud Mode.
Q: Can I force all my team members to use Local Mode?
Yes. Admins and Owners can lock the Studio to Local Mode using the lock icon next to the toggle. This requires all users to connect via the desktop app on the same network.
Q: What happens to my video if I switch modes?
Your sources will briefly reconnect. You may see a short interruption (typically a few seconds) while the sources switch over.
Q: Do Iris-Enabled devices support Local Mode?
Not yet. Iris-Enabled devices currently operate in Cloud Mode only. Local Mode support for these devices is planned for a future update.
Q: What happens when I exceed my cloud usage limit?
If your plan does not allow overages, Cloud Mode is automatically disabled and you are switched to Local Mode. Upgrading your plan or waiting for your usage to reset will restore Cloud Mode.
Q: Can I see my current cloud usage?
Yes. You can view your usage in the Billing section of your account settings, which shows how much of your included cloud usage you've consumed.
Q: Does switching modes affect recordings?
No. Active recordings continue regardless of mode switches.