QLab remote launches in read-only mode

[Nirdle Nardlenoo]

Hi all.

We run a MacBook Pro (2023) with QLab 5 for multi-track audio & video. The MBP is connected to an Apple Airport Extreme mounted in a rack on the stage. We often connect QLab remote to a few devices: the main iPad near the drummer, and an iPhone or iPad that can be used to start the show off-stage. No device is more than a couple of years old.

QLab remote will often open on any/all of these devices in 'read only' mode. It's sometimes (but not always) possible to kill QLab remote, re-launch, and functionality to become available again. There seems to be no pattern to this issue - we can usually get at least one device to work, OK but we never know in advance which it'll be.

This has only been happening since the update to QLab 5, which may be a coincidence. QLab is up to date, running the latest version. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ade

[Micha Messermann]

I'm facing the same probleme.. QLab4 with an Asus router. 

Often when I start the IPad or an IPhone with the QLab RemoteApp, it takes a lot of on and off switching and sometimes I need to be connected to an "real" internet to get the "read only" mode switched off. I have all needed license (there is no "hack" or something).

Somebody have some insides about that?

[Brent Lord]

Just to rule this out, when you are connecting to a QLab 5 workspace, be sure to double-check that the workspace has "Edit" and "Control" permissions enabled for the OSC passcode you are using to connect. These permissions are set in Workspace Settings > Network > OSC Access.

If you are connecting to v4 or have double-checked that your v5 workspace has all of the correct permissions enabled, then perhaps the App Store receipt needs to be refreshed on your device. 

You do need to be connected to the Internet to initially restore your in-app purchases, in order to download your transaction history from the App Store. After that, the validation happens on device and does not require an Internet connection.

You can try doing a "force" restore in the QLab Remote Purchases screen:

1. Make sure your device is connected to the Internet.

2. Launch QLab Remote.

3. Tap "Purchases" in the upper-right corner of the main screen.

4. Tap the "Restore Previous Purchases" button twice.

5. After the second tap, the button will change to read "Force Restore Previous Purchases".

6. Tap "Force Restore Previous Purchases".

7. In the prompt that appears, note the Apple ID. Make sure this is the same Apple ID you used to make your QLab Remote purchases.

8. Type in your Apple ID password, and tap OK.

If the Apple ID shown in the prompt in step 7 is not the account you used to make your purchase, then you'll need to log in to "Media & Purchases" using the correct account in your iOS Settings app > Apple ID > Media & Purchases and repeat the steps above.

If performing a force restore does not solve things for you, then please send us a "Contact Support" message from QLab Remote on your device. Be sure to include your email address and check "Include console logs" so that we can try to see more closely what your device is seeing.

Thanks!

Brent

[Pip]

I frequently have exactly the same problem.

I use a wifi router that has no internet connection to use the remote over. Pretty much every time I use this setup the remote app will launch in 'read only' mode. I then have to connect the device to a network with an internet connection, restore purchases, then re-connect to my show control network. It'll then work fine for that session, but I'll have to go through the same procedure next time I connect to the show control network & launch the app.

It feels like the app is trying to do a licence check, which it can't do because there's no connection, and therefore failing into read only mode.

As with the original author there's no hackiness going on, I have a full QL5 licence and a licence for the app.

Pip

[Brent Lord]

Hi Pip -- 

Are you able to do a "force" restore purchases while your device is connected to the internet? (See my previous post for full instructions.)

This should prompt you to re-enter your App Store credentials, which will then download a fresh transaction history for your account.

If after doing a force restore you are still falling back into read-only mode, please send us a Contact Support message from within QLab Remote on that device and be sure to "Include console logs".

Thanks

Brent

[Nirdle Nardlenoo]

So, a quick update on this. We've just picked up a new iPad that connects during setup and stays connected throughout the show. Having said that, our existing devices now seem to work OK too. Maybe there's been quiet update to fix something?

NNN

[Chris Ashworth]

Hi Nirdle,

Hm, no changes have been made to QLab Remote since the last release 5 months ago.

[Brent Lord]

Hi everyone --

We released QLab Remote 5.4.1 this morning, a free update which includes improvements to our In-App Purchase handling code. We identified an App Store API that was taking a long time to return on devices that didn't have an internet connection (as is quite common in QLab Remote). We've implemented some workarounds that don't require us to solely rely on that API going forward. 

We believe this should fix the issues people have been having with their apps reverting to Read-Only Mode. If after updating you continue to experience this issue, please send us a Contact Support message from inside QLab Remote and be sure to select "Include console logs".

Thanks!

Brent