Overview
The first time you open the Iris desktop app on a computer, Iris needs to know which Studio that computer should work with. This one-time step is called Bridge Setup. It links the computer to a Studio as its Bridge (the part of Iris that connects the cameras on your local network to your Studio), so you can get to work.
Bridge Setup happens once per computer. If you already have one or more Studios, the Studio Picker is the first screen you see when you sign in on a new computer. After the computer is linked, Iris opens its Studio automatically every time you launch the app.
This article explains when you'll see Bridge Setup, what each choice does, how to move your Studio to a new computer, and what to do if something goes wrong.
What You'll Need
The Iris desktop app installed on the computer you want to use as your Bridge. Iris in a web browser has no Bridge, so it skips Bridge Setup.
An Iris account. If you sign up from the desktop app, Iris brings you back to the app, signed in, when you're done. The "how you plan to use Iris" questions appear on the web before you download the app, and they stay available after you verify your email.
An internet connection on that computer while you set up.
The Owner or Admin role on any existing Studio you want to link this computer to.
How to Use
If your account doesn't have a Studio yet
Open the Iris desktop app and sign in.
Iris creates a Studio in your default Organization, links this computer to it, and opens it. You won't see the Studio Picker.
If you're new to Iris, you'll also see a short three-step guide to help you get started.
If your account has one or more Studios
Open the Iris desktop app and sign in.
The Studio Picker opens. 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. Iris asks even if you have only one Studio. It never links automatically.
Choose one of two options:
Create studio: click the Create studio card. Iris creates a new Studio named after this computer in your default Organization, links this computer, and opens it. While it works, you'll see "Creating [computer name]…" and "Linking this bridge, then opening the studio." There's no name field. You can rename the Studio later in Studio settings.
Connect to an existing Studio: under Or connect to an existing studio, click the Studio you want.
If the Studio shows Not linked, Iris links this computer and opens the Studio. The card shows "Connecting [computer name] to [Studio name]…" while it links. From then on, it opens automatically on this computer.
If the Studio shows Linked to followed by another computer's name, Iris shows the Unlink Bridge confirmation. See the next section.
Moving your Studio to a new computer
Install the Iris desktop app on the new computer and sign in.
Under Or connect to an existing studio, click your Studio. Its badge reads Linked to followed by your old computer's name.
Iris shows the Unlink Bridge dialog: "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 old computer and link this one. Iris opens the Studio on the new computer.
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 that computer.
If you click Cancel, close the dialog, click outside it, or press Escape, nothing changes.
Moving a Bridge to a different Studio
To link a Bridge to a different Studio, sign in with the account that owns the Studio you want, then link the Bridge to it in the Studio Picker. There's no unlink path for moving a Bridge between Studios.
What You'll See
Studio cards
Each Studio card shows:
The Studio name
Your role in that Studio (for example, Owner)
A status badge
When the Studio was created
If two Studios have the same name, the other details on each card help you tell them apart. Studios with only Iris Enabled cameras appear like any other Studio, and you can link your computer to them normally.
Status badges
Not linked: no computer is linked to this Studio. Choosing it links this computer.
Linked to [computer name]: another computer is linked to this Studio. Choosing it opens the Unlink Bridge confirmation.
After setup
Iris opens this computer's Studio automatically every time you launch the app. To look at a different Studio you have access to, use the Studio switcher in the app header. Switching only changes which Studio you're viewing. It doesn't relink this computer.
Limits
Desktop app only. Iris in a web browser has no Bridge and skips Bridge Setup.
Setup can't be skipped. The Bridge Setup screen can't be closed. Create or pick a Studio to continue.
Owner or Admin role needed to link. Only an Owner or Admin of a Studio can link a computer to it.
No naming during setup. A Studio you create with the Create studio card is named after the computer. Rename it later in Studio settings.
One Bridge per Studio at a time. Linking a Studio that's already linked to another computer unlinks that computer first, after you confirm.
Time limits. 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 clear message.
Default Organization. New Studios go in your default Organization. Creating Organizations isn't currently supported.
Deleting a Studio. You can only delete a Studio when you have more than one.
What Happens If…
…you don't have permission to link to the Studio you picked?
You'll see "Only an owner or admin can link a bridge", along with your role in that Studio. It suggests asking an Owner or Admin, or creating your own Studio.
…linking fails?
You'll see Couldn't link this computer: "[computer] wasn't linked to [Studio]. The studio wasn't changed." Click Try again, or Cancel to choose something else.
…creating the Studio fails?
You'll see Couldn't create the studio with an option to retry. Nothing is left half-created.
…this computer is offline?
You'll see Can't reach Iris: "[computer] can't reach the Iris service, so your studios can't be loaded." Iris retries automatically. Click Try again to retry now, or Network settings to check your connection.
…the Studio disappears after you pick it?
You'll see "This Studio is no longer available. Reload Iris to refresh the list." Reload Iris and pick again.
…you close Iris partway through setup?
If you were creating a Studio and it didn't finish, Iris removes it. The next time you open Iris, you'll see "That studio was removed because its setup never finished. Choose another studio or create a new one."
…the Bridge can't be reached when Iris launches?
Iris stops after a set number of attempts and tells you, instead of loading forever. Restart the Iris app and try again.
…you delete the Studio this computer 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 cancel the Unlink Bridge confirmation?
Nothing changes. The other computer stays linked to that Studio, and you can choose again.
Troubleshooting
What's happening | Likely cause | What to do |
Iris opens straight into a Studio and I never see Bridge Setup | This computer is already linked to that Studio | This is expected. Bridge Setup only runs on a computer that isn't linked yet |
Iris asked me to choose, even though I have only one Studio | Iris never links automatically when your account has a Studio | Pick your Studio, or click Create studio |
"Only an owner or admin can link a bridge" | You aren't an Owner or Admin of the Studio you picked | Ask an Owner or Admin of that Studio, or create your own Studio |
"Couldn't link this computer" or "Couldn't create the studio" | A temporary connection or service problem | Check your internet connection and try again |
"Can't reach Iris" | This computer can't reach the Iris service | Check your connection or click Network settings. Iris retries automatically, or click Try again |
"This Studio is no longer available" | The Studio stopped being available after the list loaded | Reload Iris and pick again |
"That studio was removed because its setup never finished" | Iris was closed before a new Studio finished setting up | Pick another Studio, or click Create studio again |
My old computer no longer opens the Studio | The Studio was moved to a new computer and the replacement was confirmed | This is expected. The old computer shows Bridge Setup the next time Iris opens there |
An error appears after I deleted the Studio this computer was linked to | The linked Studio no longer exists | Select Try Again. Iris takes you back to the Studio Picker |
I can't close the setup screen | This computer isn't linked yet, and setup can't be skipped | Create or pick a Studio to finish the one-time setup |
My new Studio has my computer's name | Studios made with Create studio are named after the computer | Rename the Studio in Studio settings |
FAQs
Why didn't I see Bridge Setup when I opened Iris?
This computer is already linked. A linked computer opens its Studio automatically every time.
I only have one Studio. Why is Iris asking me to choose?
Iris never links automatically when your account has a Studio. You might want your existing Studio, or a new one for this computer.
Can I move my Studio to a new computer?
Yes. Install Iris on the new computer, sign in, pick your Studio under Or connect to an existing studio, and confirm in the Unlink Bridge dialog. Do this when the old computer isn't running a live production.
What happens to my old computer?
It's unlinked from that Studio and its Studio session ends. The next time Iris opens there, it shows Bridge Setup.
Can I name my new Studio during setup?
No. New Studios are named after the computer. You can rename the Studio later in Studio settings.
Why can't I link to a Studio I can see in the list?
Only an Owner or Admin of a Studio can link a computer to it.
How do I open a different Studio on this computer?
Use the Studio switcher in the app header. Switching only changes which Studio you're viewing. It doesn't relink this computer.
How do I move my Bridge to a different Studio?
Sign in with the account that owns that Studio, then link the Bridge to it in the Studio Picker. There's no unlink path for moving a Bridge between Studios.
Do I need to do this in a web browser?
No. Bridge Setup only runs in the Iris desktop app. Iris in a web browser has no Bridge and skips it.