Need Help with LMSA?
Your comprehensive guide to setting up, connecting, and troubleshooting LMSA - the Android front-end for local AI servers.
Welcome to LMSA Support
Everything you need to know about connecting LMSA to LM Studio
LMSA (LM Studio Assistant) is the premier Android front-end app for LM Studio, allowing you to chat with powerful AI language models running locally on your computer—from anywhere in your home. This support center provides comprehensive guidance on setting up, using, and troubleshooting LMSA.
Important Note
LMSA is a front-end app that connects to LM Studio running on your computer. It does not run language models directly on your Android device. Both devices must be connected to the same network for LMSA to work properly.
Live Chat Support
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Whether you're new to LMSA or an experienced user looking for advanced tips, this support center has the information you need. Use the navigation below to find specific topics, or browse through our comprehensive guides.
Getting Started with LMSA
Everything you need to know to set up LMSA and LM Studio for the first time
LMSA Requirements
For LMSA (Android)
- ✓ Android Version: Android 6.0 or higher
- ✓ RAM: 2GB+ recommended
- ✓ Storage: 100MB free space
- ✓ Network: Wi-Fi connection to connect to compatible local AI servers
Third-Party App Notice
LMSA is a third-party application developed independently by TechRay Apps LLC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to LM Studio or its developers. LMSA is designed to work with LM Studio and other compatible local AI servers, but it is not an official product of LM Studio.
Installing LMSA
Installing LMSA on Your Android Device
- Download LMSA: Visit the Google Play Store and search for "LMSA" or "LM Studio Assistant".
- Install the App: Tap "Install" and wait for the installation to complete.
- Launch LMSA: Open the app after installation is complete.
Compatible AI Servers
LMSA is designed to work with local AI servers that provide OpenAI-compatible APIs. While it's commonly used with LM Studio, it can also connect to other compatible local AI servers. Please refer to the documentation of your specific AI server software for setup instructions.
Initial Setup
Before you can start using LMSA, you need to have a compatible local AI server running on your network:
- Set Up Your Local AI Server: Install and configure your preferred local AI server software (such as LM Studio, Ollama, or other OpenAI-compatible servers) on your computer according to their respective documentation.
- Start the Server: Start your local AI server and note the IP address and port number it's running on (typically something like 192.168.1.X:1234 or 192.168.1.X:11434).
- Ensure Network Connectivity: Make sure your computer and Android device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Configure Firewall (if necessary): If you have a firewall enabled on your computer, make sure to allow your AI server software through it by adding an exception for the port it's using.
Important Security Note
Communications between LMSA and your local AI server may not be encrypted. For maximum security, only use LMSA on private, secure networks that you trust, and avoid using it on public Wi-Fi networks.
Connection Setup
How to connect LMSA to your local AI server
Connecting LMSA to Your Local AI Server
Once you have your local AI server running and accessible on your network, follow these steps to connect LMSA:
- Open LMSA on your Android device: Launch the LMSA app.
- Access Settings: Tap the gear icon or menu button to access the app settings.
- Enter Server Details: In the settings, look for "Server Configuration" or similar option. Enter the IP address and port of your local AI server (e.g., 192.168.1.100:1234).
- Save and Connect: Save your settings and return to the main screen. LMSA should now attempt to connect to your local AI server.
- Verify Connection: If the connection is successful, you should see a status indicator showing "Connected" or similar. You can now start chatting with your AI model.
Pro Tip
If you frequently connect to the same AI server, you can save the connection details in LMSA for quick access in the future. Look for a "Save Connection" or similar option in the app settings.
Network Configuration
If you're having trouble connecting LMSA to LM Studio, you may need to check your network configuration:
Finding Your Computer's IP Address
On Windows:
- Open Command Prompt
- Type
ipconfigand press Enter - Look for "IPv4 Address" under your active network adapter
On macOS:
- Go to System Preferences > Network
- Select your active connection
- Look for the IP address displayed
Firewall Configuration
If you have a firewall enabled on your computer, you may need to configure it to allow connections to LM Studio:
On Windows:
- Open Windows Defender Firewall
- Click "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall"
- Click "Change settings" and then "Allow another app"
- Browse to the LM Studio executable and add it
- Ensure both Private and Public are checked
On macOS:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy
- Select the Firewall tab
- Click "Firewall Options"
- Click the "+" button to add LM Studio
- Set it to "Allow incoming connections"
Connection Troubleshooting
If you're having trouble connecting LMSA to your local AI server, try these troubleshooting steps:
1. Verify Both Devices are on the Same Network
Ensure both your computer and Android device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. LMSA cannot connect to your AI server if they are on different networks.
2. Check Server Status
Make sure your local AI server is actually running and accessible. Check your server software's status and verify that it's properly started and has a model loaded (if applicable).
3. Verify IP Address and Port
Double-check that you've entered the correct IP address and port in LMSA. The IP address should be your computer's local IP address (usually starting with 192.168.x.x), and verify the port number with your AI server software documentation.
4. Test Connection with Ping
On your Android device, you can use a network utility app to ping your computer's IP address to verify basic connectivity. If the ping fails, there may be a network issue.
5. Restart Both Applications
Sometimes, simply restarting both your AI server software and LMSA can resolve connection issues. Close both applications completely and then reopen them.
6. Check for Network Restrictions
Some networks (especially public or corporate networks) may block the ports needed for LMSA to connect to your AI server. Try using a different network if possible.
Using LMSA
Get the most out of your local AI server connection with LMSA
Basic Usage Guide
Once you've successfully connected LMSA to your LM Studio server, you can start chatting with your AI model. Here's how to use the basic features:
Starting a New Chat
- Create a New Chat: From the main screen, tap the "New Chat" or "+" button to start a new conversation.
- Enter Your Message: Type your message or question in the text input field at the bottom of the screen.
- Send Your Message: Tap the send button to transmit your message to the AI model.
- Wait for Response: The AI will process your message and respond. Response time varies depending on the model size and your computer's performance.
Managing Conversations
- Save a Conversation: Tap the "Save" or bookmark icon to save your current conversation for future reference.
- View Saved Chats: Access your saved conversations from the main menu or sidebar.
- Rename Chats: Long-press on a saved chat to access options like renaming or deleting.
- Export Conversations: Use the export feature to save your conversations as text files for backup or sharing.
Working with Files
- Upload a File: Tap the attachment or paperclip icon in the chat interface to select a file from your device.
- Supported File Types: LMSA supports various file formats including TXT, PDF, JSON, CSV, XML, HTML, MD, and code files.
- File Processing: After uploading, the AI will process the file content and you can ask questions about it.
Pro Tip
For the best experience, start with clear, specific questions or instructions. If you're not satisfied with a response, try rephrasing your question or providing more context.
Model Switching Tip
Use the new in-app model switching feature to quickly try different AI models for various tasks. Simply open the side menu, go to Options > Models, and tap the Load button next to your preferred model. The app will automatically eject the current model and load the new one without requiring you to return to your computer.
Advanced Features
LMSA offers several features to help you interact with LM Studio from your Android device:
In-App Model Switching
Switch between different AI models directly from your Android device without returning to your computer.
- Automatically ejects current model and loads the selected one
- Access via side menu > Options > Models > Load button
- Seamlessly transition between different AI experiences
File Attachments
Upload and process text files, PDFs, code files, and more directly in your conversations.
- Supports TXT, PDF, JSON, CSV, XML, HTML, MD, and code files
- Extract and analyze content from documents
- Ask questions about uploaded files
Code Highlighting
Automatic syntax highlighting for code snippets in both user uploads and AI-generated responses.
- Supports multiple programming languages
- Makes code more readable
- Helps identify syntax errors
AI Reasoning Visibility
Toggle visibility of the AI's 'thinking' process when using models that expose their reasoning.
- See how the AI arrives at answers
- Useful for debugging or learning
- Toggle on/off as needed
Offline Mode
Continue viewing your saved conversations even when you're not connected to your LM Studio server.
- Access past chats without connection
- Review information on the go
- Automatically reconnects when available
Additional Features
- In-App Model Switching: Switch between different AI models directly from your Android device. Switching models will automatically eject the existing model and load the model of your choice.
- Import/Export Chats: Backup and transfer your conversations with easy import and export functionality for your saved chats.
- Chat History: Enhanced chat history with better scrolling, organization, and a new scroll-to-bottom feature for long conversations.
- Custom System Prompts: Configure system prompts to customize how the AI responds to your queries.
- Multi-Device Support: Connect multiple Android devices to the same LM Studio server simultaneously for collaborative AI interactions.
Customizing Your Experience
LMSA offers several customization options to tailor the app to your preferences:
- Theme Settings: Choose between light and dark themes or set it to follow your system settings. Coming Soon
- Chat Appearance: Adjust text size, bubble style, and other visual elements to your liking.
Performance Optimization
To get the best performance when using LMSA with LM Studio, consider these optimization tips:
Choose the Right Model Size
Larger models (like 70B parameter models) provide better responses but require more powerful hardware. If you experience slow responses, consider using a smaller model (7B or 13B) that runs faster on your system.
Adjust Model Settings in LM Studio
In LM Studio, you can adjust settings like context length, temperature, and top-p values to balance between response quality and speed. Lower context lengths and temperatures generally result in faster responses.
Close Unnecessary Applications
Running large language models is resource-intensive. Close other applications on your computer to free up memory and processing power for LM Studio.
Use a Wired Network Connection
If possible, connect your computer to your router with an Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi. This can provide more stable and faster network performance.
Keep File Uploads Small
When uploading files to process with your AI model, smaller files will be processed more quickly. Consider splitting large documents into smaller chunks if you experience performance issues.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Solutions for common problems you might encounter with LMSA and LM Studio
Connection Issues
Cannot Connect to LM Studio Server
Symptoms: LMSA displays "Connection Failed" or "Cannot Connect to Server" errors.
Possible Solutions:
- Verify that LM Studio is running and the server is started (check the "Server" tab).
- Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check that you've entered the correct IP address and port in LMSA settings.
- Ensure your firewall is not blocking LM Studio (add an exception if necessary).
- Try restarting both LM Studio and LMSA.
- If using a VPN on either device, try disabling it temporarily.
Connection Drops Frequently
Symptoms: LMSA connects initially but frequently loses connection during use.
Possible Solutions:
- Check your Wi-Fi signal strength and stability.
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router if possible.
- Consider using a wired connection for your computer.
- Ensure no power-saving settings are affecting network connectivity.
- Check if other devices on your network are consuming significant bandwidth.
Cannot Find Computer's IP Address
Symptoms: You're unsure what IP address to enter in LMSA settings.
Possible Solutions:
- In LM Studio, the server tab should display the IP address when the server is running.
- On Windows, open Command Prompt and type
ipconfigto find your IPv4 address. - On macOS, go to System Preferences > Network and select your active connection to see the IP address.
- On Linux, use the
ifconfigorip addrcommand.
Performance Issues
Slow Response Times
Symptoms: The AI takes a very long time to generate responses.
Possible Solutions:
- This is normal for larger models, especially on systems without a GPU.
- Try a smaller model (7B or 13B) for faster responses.
- Reduce the context length in LM Studio settings.
- Lower the temperature setting for more direct responses.
- Close other applications to free up system resources.
- If available, enable GPU acceleration in LM Studio.
LMSA App Lag or Freezing
Symptoms: The LMSA app becomes unresponsive or lags significantly during use.
Possible Solutions:
- Close other apps running on your Android device to free up memory.
- Check if your device meets the minimum requirements for LMSA.
- Try restarting the LMSA app.
- Clear the app cache in Android settings.
- Ensure your Android device isn't in battery saving mode.
- Check for and install any available app updates.
File Handling Issues
File Upload Failures
Symptoms: Files fail to upload in LMSA or the app crashes when attempting to upload files.
Possible Solutions:
- Check if the file format is supported by LMSA.
- Ensure the file size is not too large (try splitting large files).
- Verify that LMSA has permission to access files on your device.
- Try converting the file to a different format (e.g., from DOCX to PDF or TXT).
- Restart the app and try uploading again.
AI Cannot Process Uploaded Files
Symptoms: Files upload successfully, but the AI doesn't seem to understand or reference their content.
Possible Solutions:
- Ensure the file is text-based and readable (not encrypted or password-protected).
- Check if the file content is within the model's context window limits.
- Try asking more specific questions about the file content.
- For PDFs, ensure they contain actual text and not just scanned images.
- Try extracting the text from the file and uploading it as a plain text file.
Export/Import Chat Issues
Symptoms: Problems with exporting or importing chat histories in LMSA.
Possible Solutions:
- Ensure LMSA has permission to access storage on your device.
- Check if you have enough free storage space.
- Verify that you're using the correct file format for imports.
- Try exporting to a different location on your device.
- For import issues, check if the file was created with a compatible version of LMSA.
Still Having Issues?
If you've tried the troubleshooting steps above and are still experiencing problems, please contact our support team at [email protected]. Include details about your device, the version of LMSA and LM Studio you're using, and a description of the issue you're experiencing.
Security & Privacy Considerations
Understanding the security implications of using LMSA with LM Studio
Network Security
LMSA Network Security Disclosure
Please note that LMSA (LM Studio Assistant) currently does not implement encryption for communications between your Android device and the LM Studio server running on your computer.
This means:
- Data transmitted over your local network is not encrypted
- If someone has access to your network and is using network monitoring tools, they could potentially intercept and view your conversations with AI models
- This vulnerability primarily exists on shared, public, or compromised networks
For maximum security, we recommend using LMSA only on private, secure networks that you trust, and avoiding use on public Wi-Fi networks or networks you don't control.
Recommended Security Practices
- ✓ Use Private Networks: Only use LMSA on private home or office networks that you trust.
- ✓ Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Do not use LMSA on public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafes, airports, or hotels.
- ✓ Consider Using a VPN: If you need to use LMSA outside your trusted network, consider using a VPN to encrypt your traffic.
- ✓ Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: Ensure your home Wi-Fi is secured with a strong password and WPA2 or WPA3 encryption.
- ✓ Keep Software Updated: Regularly update both LMSA and your AI server software to get the latest security improvements.
Privacy Considerations
LMSA is designed with privacy in mind. Here's what you should know about how your data is handled:
What LMSA Does NOT Do
- ✓ We do not collect analytics data about how you use the app
- ✓ We do not use cookies or tracking technologies within the LMSA app
- ✓ We do not store your prompts or AI responses on our servers
- ✓ We do not use your data for training AI models
- ✓ We do not share your data with third parties
Local Data Storage
LMSA stores the following data locally on your device:
- • Your chat history and saved conversations
- • Server connection settings
- • App preferences and settings
- • Temporary files during file processing
The only data collection that may occur is through the Google Play Store for basic app functionality (such as app downloads, updates, and crash reports), which is standard for all Android applications.
Privacy Advantage of Local AI
One of the main benefits of using LMSA with local AI servers is that your conversations stay on your local network. Unlike cloud-based AI services, your prompts and responses are not sent to external servers, giving you complete privacy and control over your data.
For more detailed information about our privacy practices, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about LMSA
Need Additional Support?
Our team is here to help you connect to LM Studio with LMSA
Contact Us
If you're experiencing issues that aren't covered in our support documentation, or if you have suggestions for improving LMSA, please reach out to our support team.
Email Support
Community Forum
Feature Requests
When Contacting Support
To help us assist you more effectively, please include the following information when contacting support:
- Your Android device model and Android version
- LMSA app version (found in Settings > About)
- LM Studio version
- A detailed description of the issue you're experiencing
- Steps to reproduce the problem
- Any error messages you've received
- Screenshots if applicable
Response Time: We typically respond to support inquiries within 24-48 hours during business days. For urgent issues, please mention "Urgent" in your email subject line.
Ready to Try LMSA?
Download LMSA today and connect to LM Studio from your Android device