Add a remote connector
- Open Connectors or MCP settings and choose Add Connector on iPhone or iPad, or Add MCP Server on Mac.
- Enter the server’s name and remote URL. Use the server’s documented MCP endpoint and authentication method.
- Connect or sign in when requested, then turn on the server’s remembered switch. On iPhone and iPad, the connector setting applies across chats on that device.
- Use a model that supports tools. Review each MCP approval before allowing the call.
Remote and local servers
iPhone and iPad connect to remote MCP servers by URL. They do not launch local command-line servers.
Mac also supports remote servers. The website Direct Mac edition can additionally launch local command servers and manage their processes. Local command support is unavailable in the Mac App Store edition.
Permissions and recovery
- A connector receives the arguments sent to its tools and returns results to the active model. A locally running model does not make a remote connector offline.
- Off-Grid blocks remote connections. Organization policy and operating-system permissions can also limit a tool.
- For a failed connection, check the endpoint URL, authentication, transport, server availability, and selected tools before retrying.
- Disable or remove a connector when you no longer want its tools available.