To stream PC games to an Android phone or tablet, you need a PC that runs the game, host software on that PC, a streaming app on Android, and a network connecting the two. A controller can help, but it is optional. Begin with both devices on the same home network; remote streaming takes additional setup.
What you need to get started
- A gaming PC: The PC runs the game. Your Android device receives the video and sends input back to the PC.
- A host-and-client software pair: Steam Link uses Steam on the host PC. Moonlight on Android can pair with Sunshine on the PC, or with GeForce Experience on an NVIDIA system.
- A local network: Connect the PC and Android device to the same home network for the first test.
- A suitable input method: A compatible controller is useful for many games, but it is not a prerequisite if touch, keyboard, or another supported input method suits the game.
Streaming does not move the game to the phone: the PC does the processing, and the Android device acts as the display and input endpoint.
Choose a streaming setup
| Option | What runs on the PC | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | Steam | A straightforward choice when your games are available through Steam. Valve’s Android support page describes the host and device requirements. |
| Moonlight with Sunshine | Sunshine | Moonlight’s Google Play listing describes Sunshine as compatible with all GPUs. Moonlight can stream games from different storefronts. |
| Moonlight with GeForce Experience | GeForce Experience | An NVIDIA-only host option named in Moonlight’s Android listing. |
For Steam Link requirements and supported input devices, see Valve’s Steam Link for Android support page. Moonlight’s host compatibility and performance qualifications are listed on Google Play’s Moonlight Game Streaming page.
Set up Steam Link on Android
- Turn on the PC, launch Steam, and sign in.
- Connect the PC and Android device to the same network.
- Install Steam Link on Android and follow its on-screen pairing prompts.
- Connect a controller if you want one, then launch a game to test the stream.
Valve lists Android 5.0 or newer and a 5 GHz wireless router among Steam Link’s requirements. Its supported controller list includes the Steam Controller, Xbox One S Controller, DualShock 4 on Android 9.0 or newer, Razer Kishi, and Raiju Mobile. Valve notes that other devices may work without official support, so compatibility is not guaranteed for every controller and Android version.
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Set up Moonlight with Sunshine
- Install Sunshine on the PC and complete its initial configuration in the Sunshine Web UI.
- Install Moonlight on Android, then connect the Android device and PC to the same network.
- In Moonlight, select the detected PC. Enter the displayed PIN in the Sunshine Web UI to pair the devices.
- Launch a game to test. If a game does not appear in Moonlight’s app list, add it manually. The Moonlight setup guide also describes using Steam or the desktop entry.
Pair locally before attempting Internet streaming. Moonlight’s setup guide covers Sunshine setup, pairing, adding apps, and remote access.
Get the network ready
For a first test at home
Put both devices on the same router or home network. Moonlight recommends connecting the Android device over 5 GHz Wi-Fi and connecting the PC to the router with Ethernet. Wired networking for the host is a practical way to reduce reliance on Wi-Fi for that part of the connection, but the documentation does not promise a particular speed improvement.
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There is no universal minimum Internet speed, latency figure, router class, or frame rate established by the cited product documentation. Moonlight’s Google Play listing cautions: “Streaming performance may vary based on your client device and network setup.”
If the stream stutters
- Test locally before diagnosing remote access.
- Change one factor at a time, such as connecting the PC to the router by Ethernet or trying a different Wi-Fi band.
- Lower the stream resolution or bitrate and see whether playback becomes more stable.
These are troubleshooting steps, not a guarantee that a particular network or device will meet a specific performance target.
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For streaming away from home
Remote streaming adds network configuration. Sunshine offers built-in UPnP support for forwarding the required streaming ports; if automatic setup fails, Moonlight documents manual port forwarding and mesh-network alternatives. Router settings, ISP restrictions, and the network you are connecting from can affect what works. Public or corporate Wi-Fi may block streaming traffic, so remote play is not guaranteed to work on every connection.
A Sunshine v0.21.0 documentation PDF notes that Moonlight Internet Hosting Tool versions earlier than 5.6 can conflict with Sunshine’s UPnP support and that the tool is not required with Sunshine. Because that note is tied to an older Sunshine version, use the current Moonlight setup guide for present-day setup steps rather than treating the PDF as a current compatibility guarantee: Sunshine v0.21.0 documentation.
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Choose a controller and Android input method
A controller is optional, but it can make games designed for gamepads more comfortable to play. Moonlight lists PlayStation 3, 4, and 5 controllers; Xbox 360, One, and Series controllers; and Android gamepads. It also lists force feedback and gamepad motion-sensor support on Android 12 or later. Steam Link has its own documented supported-device list, so check compatibility for the app, controller, Android version, and game you intend to use.
Moonlight supports keyboard and mouse, with its listing describing that support as best on Android 8.0 or later. For desktop navigation without a mouse, Moonlight’s setup guide explains that holding Start on a controller can emulate mouse movement. Touch controls or keyboard and mouse may also work for some games, but the best option depends on the game and client setup.
Best Value
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What performance claims do—and do not—mean
Moonlight’s Google Play listing advertises capabilities of up to 4K at 120 FPS with HDR and 7.1 surround sound. That is a stated app capability, not a promise that any Android device, PC, game, or network can achieve those settings. The listing also says local co-op supports up to 16 connected controllers, or 4 with GeForce Experience.
HDR has additional requirements: an HDR10-capable client, a GPU able to encode HEVC Main 10, and an HDR10-enabled game. For games using DXGI or operating-system HDR, the host PC also needs an HDR display connected. If those requirements are not met, do not assume that enabling a high-resolution stream will also provide HDR.
Quick Recap
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