BussolaSupport
Questions, bugs or feature requests: write to giacomofava93@gmail.com. Including the app version and, for connection problems, the diagnostics from Settings → Diagnostics → Sharehelps a lot. Diagnostics never contain connection strings, passwords or documents.
Connection checklist
- Network access. On Atlas, the phone's current public IP must be in the project'sNetwork Access → IP Access List. Mobile carriers change IPs often: add a temporary entry, or use a VPN with a fixed exit IP and allow only that address.
- Connection string. Copy it from Atlas (Connect → Drivers) and replace
<password>. Passwords with special characters such as@,:or/must be percent-encoded. - Test connection. The button in the connection form shows how the host was resolved, which servers were found and the server version, or the exact error.
- Authentication failed? Check the database user and the
authSourceparameter (usuallyadminon Atlas).
Current limitations
- iPhone only for now (no iPad, no Android).
- No SSH tunnel yet.
- No X.509 client certificates or custom certificate authorities yet; TLS uses publicly trusted certificates.
- No schema analysis, index management or saved queries yet.
- The phone must be allowed by the database firewall (for Atlas, the IP Access List).
Frequently asked questions
Does Bussola need a backend, an API or an account?
No. Bussola connects directly from your iPhone to your MongoDB deployment with the official MongoDB Rust driver over TLS. There is no Bussola server and no sign-up.
Which MongoDB deployments can I connect to?
MongoDB Atlas (mongodb+srv:// strings), replica sets, sharded clusters through mongos and standalone servers, using username and password authentication. Self-hosted servers need TLS certificates from a public certificate authority; custom CAs, X.509 client certificates and SSH tunnels are not supported yet.
Why can't I connect to my Atlas cluster from my phone?
Atlas only accepts connections from addresses in the project's IP Access List. Mobile IP addresses change often, so add your current address temporarily (Atlas supports entries that expire), or route the phone through a VPN with a fixed exit IP and allow that one address.
Where are my connection strings stored?
Only in the iOS Keychain of your device, with the "when unlocked, this device only" protection: they are not synced to iCloud and never sent anywhere except to the database you connect to.
Is it safe to use on a production database?
Production connections open in read-only mode by default, which hides every write action. For extra safety, connect with a MongoDB user that has only the read role.
Does it work on cellular networks?
Yes. Bussola reconnects automatically when the phone switches between Wi-Fi and cellular, and every operation has a timeout so a weak signal never leaves the app hanging.
Is Bussola free?
Yes, Bussola is free on the App Store.
Is there an iPad or Android version?
Not yet. Bussola is iPhone-only today; an iPad layout is planned.
Is Bussola made by MongoDB?
No. Bussola is an independent app, not affiliated with or endorsed by MongoDB, Inc. MongoDB is a registered trademark of MongoDB, Inc.
Privacy
Bussola collects no data. Read the full privacy policy.