Set Up Moonlight on Your Clients

1. Install the Client App

With your host running Sunshine or Apollo, the final piece is installing the Moonlight client on the device you want to play or work from. Moonlight is an open-source, ultra-low-latency implementation of NVIDIA’s GameStream protocol, optimized for high framerates and minimal input delay.

Choose your client device from the platform selector above to get specific setup instructions.

2. Pair With Your Host

1. Ensure your client device is connected to your Tailscale mesh network.
2. Launch Moonlight on your client.
3. Your Host PC should appear automatically in Moonlight with a small lock icon.
4. Click your PC. Moonlight will display a unique 4-digit PIN.
5. On your Host PC, open the Sunshine / Apollo web manager (https://localhost:47990), go to the PIN tab, enter the 4-digit PIN, and click Send.
6. The lock icon on Moonlight will turn green, and your desktop apps and games will appear!

3. Tune Settings for Minimal Latency

To achieve that imperceptible “local PC” feel when streaming over 5G or remote Wi-Fi, use the interactive calculator below to evaluate your latency budget and dial in the perfect bitrate:

• Local Home Wi-Fi / Ethernet: Set bitrate to 50–80 Mbps (H.265 / AV1) for crystal-clear 1440p or 4K.
• Remote 5G / Fiber: Set bitrate to 25–40 Mbps with a frame pacing setting of “Balanced with lowest latency”.
• Audio: Enable 5.1 surround sound if your client supports it.
• Input: Enable “Optimize mouse for remote desktop” for work applications, or disable it for raw mouse input in shooters.