Just passing along my recent experience. I hadn't used Keynote remote in a while as I experienced problems with it when in the presence of unknown networks like hotels or offices I was visiting.
Now that the Keynote Remote app has been replaced by moving this feature into the Keynote app for iPhone I tried it again. Interestingly enough, it worked fine as long as WiFi was turned on for both the MacBook Pro and the iPhone.
I was presenting in offices which required a password for the WiFi. Even without logging on the Keynote Remote option worked great. Not being on the network I found I had to stay within about 25 ft of the MacBook Pro.
Now that the Keynote Remote app has been replaced by moving this feature into the Keynote app for iPhone I tried it again. Interestingly enough, it worked fine as long as WiFi was turned on for both the MacBook Pro and the iPhone.
I was presenting in offices which required a password for the WiFi. Even without logging on the Keynote Remote option worked great. Not being on the network I found I had to stay within about 25 ft of the MacBook Pro.