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This is a confusing issue.  Although I can get the MTH DCS Remote to operate all PS2/3 Engines on my 2 main lines and a bunch of sidings, when I switch to the iPhone App it says that it can’t find the TIU/WIU. I took my DCS components (TIU, WI-FI, Remote and my iPhone) down to my local train store, which has a much simpler set up, all components work including my iPhone app.  I made sure the updates were done.  I then take it home and the remote works as usual but not the iPhone app (same issue). I simplified the power wiring and decoupled the common bus turning the common wire into a dedicated line 1 and another for line 2. And guess what, NO HELP.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I have lost countless hours trying to figure this out and MTH does not have their technical support back up and running yet.  Thank you.

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Two things…

  1. If your home Wi-Fi signal is weak, it will make connecting to the WIU a real pain.  I had to put an access point in my basement to get it to work reliably.  Since then I’ve had zero problems.  Before, it would constantly say TIU not found or something of that nature.
  2. If you are using “MTH” mode on the WIU, I found that I had to delete my other Wi-Fi networks from my Apple devices because it would detect there was no internet connectivity while connected to the WIU and switch to another saved network that had it.  I use an iPad so I don’t have a data plan, but on an iPhone you might also need to disable LTE data temporarily in the settings while using “MTH mode” on the WIU.
Last edited by rplst8

On number 2 above:

on an iOS device (iPhone, iPad) make sure you have automatically connect disbaled

Then, put your device in Airplane mode (turns  off cell service)

Then go to the wifi setting and select the MTH unit.   It should ask you something like "xxx  is not connected to the internet"   and if you want to proceed.   Say yes

This will prevent your device for jumping to a router that has an internet connection

I put my devices in airplane mode as I don't want anything to disrupt my connection to the train stuff.   Same thing on stage, always airplane mode when connected to the FOH or monitor desk.

@EscapeRocks posted:

On number 2 above:

on an iOS device (iPhone, iPad) make sure you have automatically connect disbaled

Then, put your device in Airplane mode (turns  off cell service)

Then go to the wifi setting and select the MTH unit.   It should ask you something like "xxx  is not connected to the internet"   and if you want to proceed.   Say yes

This will prevent your device for jumping to a router that has an internet connection

That sounds like it would work too, and you wouldn’t have to go and add the Wi-Fi network each time.  Good idea. 👍

I put my devices in airplane mode as I don't want anything to disrupt my connection to the train stuff.   Same thing on stage, always airplane mode when connected to the FOH or monitor desk.

A fellow sound guy? I just did a gig last weekend for the first time in several years and I forgot to turn off notifications when the break music was playing on my phone. Oops.

I few things I learned the hard way:

Make sure your transformer voltages are turned up.

Turn on your TIU and set it for MTH network before trying to connect your phone which should also be set for the MTH network. There needs to be a network for your phone to find it.  If you don't get prompted for the password, it's not working at this point.

Dale

The problem is that the app has no command to search for the Wi-Fi other than the first time it connects.
Try this:

  • Make sure the MTH/HOME switch on the Wi-Fi is is set to MTH
  • delete the app
  • Download the app but stop before it installs.
  • power up your TIU and Wi-Fi
  • Connect your phone to the MTH Wi-Fi
  • go back and finish installing the app

It should discover your TIU.  This will work for all iPhone and IOS releases.

Good luck.

Last edited by Danr

I had the same trouble. I powered down my home network. Modem and Wi-Fi router and iPhone. Then power up modem and let it come all the way back on, then power up Wi-Fi router, let it come on, then turn iPhone on.  Make sure DCS is off through all of this then turn it on. Then everything worked for me. I have DCS set for my home network.

Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice. Still having trouble but will try the approach that Danr has suggested.  The app seems to be so much easier than the handheld. I would hope that MTH, in what ever form they end up being, will improve the app to make it easier to connect.

Again, thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. It is truly appreciated.

Mike

Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice. Still having trouble but will try the approach that Danr has suggested.  The app seems to be so much easier than the handheld. I would hope that MTH, in what ever form they end up being, will improve the app to make it easier to connect.



I assure you once you get the Wi-Fi issues sorted out, it is very easy to use.

I don’t know that either the app or remote are easier than one another.  The remote has some options that are buried in menus that are sometimes hard remember.  The app is very different from the remote, so if you are a pro with the remote it can be a challenge to switch.

One advantage of the remote is being able to feel the buttons and more confidently operate it without looking. The app, when used on a tablet device like the iPad is much easier to read when setting up engines and whatnot.

I have both and like them equally.

Mike,

I'm sorry for chiming in so late here. I'm an engineer for a certain fruit-themed company, so I have some insight on these sorts of things.

Starting with iOS/iPadOS 14, your iPhone keeps a pretty tight hold on network connections with other devices (like the WIU). Here are a few tips to make sure you've considered that I don't see mentioned in this thread:

1). Go to Settings > Privacy > Local Network and make sure Wi-Fi DCS is turned ON (green).
2). Make sure that you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. If you have the WIU connected to your home network (as opposed to having the WIU create its own ad-hoc network), be sure that you are connected to the same network name. Some home network routers broadcast two different networks. One will sometimes be appended with 5G, while the other is not. If your iPhone is connected to a different network, it may have issues locating the WIU.
3). The DCS app running on iOS/iPadOS 14.5 and later can take up to 60 seconds to discover the WIU. After you open the app, leave it on for at least 30 seconds before giving up. You may find that it just takes a bit of waiting before you can successfully send a READ command to the WIU for the first time. Once it's connected, there shouldn't be any more waiting.

This isn't to say or imply that the DCS app doesn't need work. It does. Lionel's apps are also one critical OS update away from inoperability, it seems. There's so much untapped potential in mobile computing for these platforms--let's hope it's addressed sooner rather than later.

Rafi

Hello Escape Rocks!  You solved my problem.  I was an early adopter of the DCS app; however, I became extremely frustrated because I repeatedly received "WIU/TIU not found."  I use my WUI as a standalone, i.e., I do not have it connected to my home router.  Earlier today, after searching this forum, I saw your suggestion about  using "airplane mode."  I spent about 2.5 hours running my trains today.  After setting my cell phone to airplane mode, the phone never displayed the WIU/TIU not found message.

Although this thread is focused on the iPhome, your suggestion worked on my Android phones.  A couple of years ago, I purchased a used Motorola Android for dedicated use with my trains.  I have another Android for my daily cell phone activities.  Finally, after three or more years, I'm enjoying using the app.  Nonetheless, I still use my handhelds and, in some ways, like them better than the app.

MTH hasn't provided much support for the app (or any of its products) in recent years.  If MTH had posted your airplane mode suggestion on its (wildly out of date) web site, that would have spared me and, perhaps, others many hours of frustration.

Again, thank you.  I'm really hoping that this fix continues working.

Last edited by RockvilleBear

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