How do I use a USB, Ethernet, or Thunderbolt connection?

If a Wi-Fi connection is not available or does not have the best performance, you can connect your devices with a USB connection in Computer-to-iPad mode, or an Ethernet or Thunderbolt connection in Computer-to-Mac mode.

You will still need to plug the Luna Display hardware into your Mac or PC, even if you are using a wired connection.

Computer-to-iPad Mode: USB Connection

With your Luna Display hardware plugged directly into your Mac or Windows PC, connect your iPad-compatible USB cord to both your Mac or PC and your iPad. This allows your Mac or PC and iPad to be connected via USB connection for a more stable, consistent connection quality.

The USB cable needs to be capable of data transfer, so not all USB cables will work.

For the USB connection in Luna Display for Windows, a current workaround for a non-working USB connection is to install the Windows version of iTunes first, then try connecting Luna Display.

Computer-to-Mac Mode: Ethernet or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Connection

Ethernet Connection

With your Luna Display hardware plugged directly into your primary Mac or PC, plug an Ethernet cable into both your primary and secondary computers. You can also connect both computers directly to your router with an Ethernet cable.

Once your computers are connected via Ethernet, open both the Luna primary and secondary apps. If your computers do not automatically connect, use Wi-Fi Manual Connect in both Luna apps to connect your computers or check to make sure your Ethernet connection is active.

Connect via Ethernet Only

On your primary computer, open the Luna app and click on Luna Display in the top menu bar, and open Preferences. In the Mac-to-Mac tab, change the drop-down menu selection to "Connect via Ethernet only".

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Connection

Make sure you use a Thunderbolt cable, as regular USB-C to USB-C cables (like the Mac's charging cable) will not work.

With your Luna Display hardware plugged directly into your primary computer, plug the Thunderbolt 3 cable directly into both your primary and secondary computers. Give it a few moments to establish an active Thunderbolt connect, usually about 30 seconds.

Once your computers are connected via Thunderbolt, launch both the Luna primary and secondary apps. If your computers do not automatically connect, use Wi-Fi Manual Connect in both Luna apps to connect or check to make sure your Thunderbolt connection is active.

Please note that for optimal wired performance in PC-to-Mac mode an Ethernet connection is preferred over a Thunderbolt connection. We've found Thunderbolt performance varies a great deal depending on the type of Windows PC.

Connect via Thunderbolt Only

On your primary Mac, open the Luna app and click on Luna Display in your Mac's top menu bar and open Preferences. In the Mac-to-Mac tab, change the drop-down menu selection to "Connect via Thunderbolt only".

Will a Thunderbolt connection work with different Thunderbolt ports?

Yes, as long as you have the correct Thunderbolt adapters and cables and your computers recognize the Thunderbolt connection, then Luna should also be able to detect the active connection.

Check that the Thunderbolt connection is active in Network Preferences by going to System Preferences > Network or by clicking on the Wi-Fi symbol in your Mac's top menu bar and selecting "Open Network Preferences". If the connection is active, Thunderbolt Bridge should say "Connected" or "Self-Assigned IP".