What happens if you press the "Select a different Roon Server" button?
· I don't see Roon Server.
Please try to restart your Roon Server by closing the Roon app in the taskbar or rebooting your Roon Server machine.
· No, the issue remains the same
Please try to restart your network setup by unplugging, waiting 30 seconds and then replugging in your networking gear.
· No, the issue remains the same
Please select how you've connected your Roon Server to the internet
· Roon Server is connected by *Ethernet*
Have you checked your firewall settings to ensure that Roon is allowed through?
· Roon still won't connect even after checking this aspect
Have you verified that Roon Server is on the same subnet as your Remotes?
· My Remotes and Server are on the same subnet and I still can't connect
Sometimes the issues can be resolved with a reinstall of your Roon Remote app. Let's try to perform a reinstall and see if it helps.
· I've reinstalled the Roon Remote but it did not help
What is the operating system of your Roon Server host machine?
· *MacOS*
Select any of the following components that are present in your local network setup
· None of the above
Describe the issue
I have Roon installed on my MacBook Air - it works as a server and I can connect from my iPhone. Now I want to connect from an iMac desktop where Roon is installed as well. I want to use that iMac as a remote - but it says it can't....I have to select the iMac as Roon server (which disconnects the MacBook). How can I just play from my iMac as a remote - I read about installing Roon as a client or a remote - but haven't a clue about how to do this.
Describe your network setup
Components are connected to a router. The Macbook is connected via Wifi, the iMac is connected through an internet cable. The iPhone is just connected to the wifi network and has bluetooth on.
Could you please confirm whether the original server appears in the list if you go to Settings > General > Disconnect on the device you are trying to use as a remote?
This model is no longer used. Roon is now delivered as a single package — there’s no need to install separate components to use it as a server or a remote.
If the original server does not appear in the list on your new devices, please ensure Roon is allowed access to the local network.
On macOS Sequoia (version 15), network security settings are stricter and less transparent than in previous versions.
Please navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and make sure Roon is enabled.
If it’s already enabled, try toggling it off and on again, then reboot your Mac and check whether the issue persists.
Hello Vadim - thanks for your message
In the disconnect screen I can connect the iMac or the Macbook. When I connect to the Macbook I can then play a track from my iMac but … it plays through the speakers of the macbook. What I would like is play through the speakers of the iMac … is that possible?
To play audio through the iMac’s speakers from another device, follow these steps:
Open Roon on your iMac.
Go to Settings > Audio.
Under “This Mac,” locate and enable the iMac’s audio output (e.g., “System Output” or a named audio device).
Once enabled, this output will appear on your remote device, and you’ll be able to select it for playback.
Additionally, could you please confirm that LAN access is allowed for the Roon app on both macOS devices? You can check this under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network, and ensure Roon has permission
Here’s a screenshot for reference — my Roon Server is running on a Linux machine, and I’m controlling it from a Windows device while successfully using a macOS laptop as the audio output.
We’ve marked this topic solved, but we can unmark to keep the thread open if you have further issues here.
Roon relies on the loopback ethernet interface on each MacOS machine to communicate with the Apple coreaudio daemon. In non-technical terms, this means Roon treats the Mac similar to a networked endpoint, even on the same machine. You’ll have to Enable the System Output, which you’ve now done, in which case Roon will play to whichever sound output is selected in the Mac Sound Settings.
Please let us know if you have further questions! Thanks!
