Pairing GeForce NOW with Android Desktop Mode enables a high performance desktop PC gaming experience when connecting your smartphone or tablet to an external monitor with keyboard & mouse or gamepad. This guide will walk you through the setup process.
System Requirements:
- Android phone or tablet that supports Desktop Mode
- Samsung DeX devices (Galaxy S, Note, Fold, and Galaxy Tab)
- Additional Android devices support Desktop Mode but functionality and performance may vary depending on factors like software version, hardware specifications, region-specific variants, and carrier restrictions. Always check with the manufacturer or official documentation to confirm compatibility and instructions for enabling Desktop Mode.
- USB-C hub or docking station
- An externally powered USB-C hub (e.g. Samsung DeX Station or Jumpgate Dock) with multiple ports including display out and ethernet port is recommended for the best experience.
- Keyboard/mouse or gamepad
- Wired USB devices are recommended. Bluetooth devices are compatible but will add latency.
- High speed internet connection
- GeForce NOW requires at least 15Mbps for 720p, and 25Mbps for 1080p, and 35Mbps for 1440p resolutions.
- GeForce NOW membership
- 1440p resolutions are only available with a GeForce NOW Premium membership and need to be manually selected from the GeForce NOW Settings menu. 120 FPS streaming is not supported in Android Desktop Mode.
- GeForce NOW Android native app
- Version 6.11 or later
Setup Instructions:
- Connect your peripherals using a USB-C Hub
- Make sure your external monitor or TV is powered on and connected to the USB-hub/docking station with a HDMI, USB-C, or DisplayPort cable.
- When connecting a keyboard/mouse or gamepad, a wired connection is recommended. You may also want to adjust your mouse polling rate between 125hz to 500hz when using Android Desktop Mode. If you are using a gamepad, you will need to use the device touchscreen to navigate Android OS menus.
- Enable Desktop Mode
- Once all connections are made, swipe down from the top of your device screen to access the Quick Settings panel. Find the option to enable "Desktop Mode" or "DeX". This may vary depending on your device's manufacturer and software version.
- We strongly recommend disabling mouse acceleration (Samsung Dex > Mouse and Trackpad > More Settings > “Enhanced pointer precision” on DeX devices) and adjusting the mouse sensitivity (“Pointer speed” on DeX devices) to your preferred setting.
- If you want to use the external display’s audio output, turn on “Set default audio output” for DeX devices. You may need to disconnect and reconnect your device from the USB hub/docking station for the changes to apply.
- If you are having trouble setting the desired external monitor display resolution, we recommend installing the Good Lock app and using the app’s MultiStar function to enable the “High resolutions for external display” toggle.
- Launch the GeForce NOW app
- Find and launch the GeForce NOW app. For Samsung DeX, you can see all apps using the Apps (grid icon) in the lower left corner of the screen.
- Verify you are running the latest version of GeForce NOW (version 6.11 or later)
- Make sure your phone or tablet screen is ON when attempting to sign-in. This step is needed to complete the login process on a web browser.
- Once streaming, you can long press the “Esc” key to bring up the On-Screen Controls in the upper left corner of the screen including the option to “Quit game”