Extra phones become additional uplinks
pocketBond is not a standalone streaming app. The app complements pocketSRT and brings the cellular connection of additional Android phones into the stream as extra SRTLA paths.
A shared Wi-Fi network is used for automatic discovery over mDNS. According to the project description, the forwarded stream packets themselves run over the cellular connection of each extra device.
1. How pocketBond works
- pocketSRT runs on the main device and creates the SRTLA connection.
- pocketBond runs on one or more additional Android phones.
- All devices are on the same Wi-Fi network for discovery.
- Each extra device forwards packets over its own cellular connection.
- pocketSRT shows the status and bandwidth of the detected paths.
| Connection | Job |
|---|---|
| Shared Wi-Fi | The devices find each other over mDNS and connect locally |
| Helper phone's cellular connection | Forwards stream packets as an additional SRTLA path (according to the project description) |
The practical benefit: Android phones you already own can contribute extra networks and plans, without each device having to encode a full stream itself.
2. Requirements
- pocketSRT on the main device with SRTLA and helper mode enabled
- Android 8 or newer on every extra phone
- one active mobile data connection per helper phone
- a shared Wi-Fi network for automatic device discovery
- enough power supply and cooling for all devices
No extra path without its own plan: A phone on the same Wi-Fi does not yet bring an independent connection. For real redundancy, each helper device needs a usable cellular path that is as separate as possible.
3. Setting up pocketBond
- In pocketSRT, choose SRTLA and enable the pocketBond helper.
- Set your own non-public password there.
- Install pocketBond from the official GitHub releases on the extra device.
- Enter the same password and connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check the detected path in the bonding dashboard, and only then start the stream.
The project mentions many helper devices in theory. In practice, two or three extra phones are much easier to keep under control when it comes to heat, power, cellular networks, and operation.
4. A sensible practical test
- Start with exactly one extra phone.
- Check data usage and bandwidth per path.
- Deliberately disconnect and re-enable cellular on the helper device.
- Check whether picture and audio stay stable during the outage and the return.
- Only then add more devices and run a longer test.
5. Security and privacy
pocketBond is open source and, according to the project, uses native Android interfaces for network binding, discovery, and UDP forwarding. Even so, the password, device access, and network configuration need protecting.
- Download the APK only from the official repository.
- use a password of its own for the helper
- do not run the discovery Wi-Fi as an uncontrolled public network
- check device names, IP addresses, and logs before sharing them publicly
6. Common questions
Does pocketBond work without pocketSRT?
No. pocketBond is a companion app and needs pocketSRT on the main device. Without pocketSRT, there is nothing for pocketBond to add to.
Does every extra device need its own data plan?
Yes. Only with its own active cellular connection does the extra phone bring an independent uplink.
Does everything run over Wi-Fi?
No. The devices only need Wi-Fi to find each other and connect locally. The extra uplink is meant to run over the helper phone's cellular connection.
How many helper phones should I use?
The project mentions many helper devices in theory. With two or three extra phones, though, you can still keep heat, power, cellular networks, and operation under control. Start with one.
Where do I get the APK?
Download pocketBond only from the project's official GitHub releases (link at the top in the overview). Check the current state before you install.