Roon Arc stops working on iPhone when MacBook Air sleeps (ref#2B2X94)

What is the operating system of your Roon Server host machine?

· MacOS

What kind of device are you using to perform the login?

· Mac

Where are you trying to login?

· I can't log into Roon ARC

Please try to restart your Roon Server by closing the Roon Server app in the taskbar (MacOS), task manager (Windows) or rebooting your Roon Server machine.

· No, the issue remains the same

Different device

· I cannot switch to a different device

Are you still facing the issue on the different device

· No, the issue remains the same

Record the timestamp

· 24th February 2026

Describe the issue

I want to use the Roon Arc app on my iPhone to play music files stored on my MacBook Air and music data from Qobuz on my iPhone. However, I believe Roon Arc stops working on my iPhone when the MacBook Air enters sleep mode. Therefore, I'm considering replacing the MacBook Air with a Mac Mini. If I do this, will I be able to play music on my iPhone via Roon Arc at any time without the Mac Mini going to sleep?

Describe your network setup

Wifi through Nuro Hikari by Sony

Hello @feel.rock.and.roll

Welcome to the comunity !

You are absolutely correct. For Roon ARC to work on your phone, your Roon Server must be powered on and connected to the internet. Since MacBook Airs are designed to sleep to save battery, this cuts the connection to ARC immediately.

While a Mac Mini set to “never sleep” would solve this, we generally recommend a dedicated server appliance for the most reliable, maintenance-free, “always-on” experience.

You have two excellent options designed specifically for this purpose:

  1. Roon Nucleus: This is our official, plug-and-play server. It is silent, energy-efficient, and designed to run 24/7 without you ever needing to manage it. You can learn more here: Roon Store - Nucleus
  2. Roon ROCK (DIY): If you are comfortable with a bit of DIY, you can purchase an Intel NUC and install our free Roon Optimized Core Kit (ROCK) . This turns the NUC into a dedicated appliance similar to the Nucleus.

Either of these options will ensure your Roon Server is always available for ARC without the power management issues of a laptop or standard desktop computer.

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