Quick Answer
Connect cables BEFORE launching Luna - wait up to 60 seconds for device recognition
Change connection filter from "Allow any network interface" to "Connect via Ethernet only" or "Connect via Thunderbolt only" if Luna won't detect wired connection
Check macOS Network Settings for "Thunderbolt Bridge" or "Ethernet/USB LAN" with green/yellow "Connected" status
macOS may prioritize Wi-Fi - temporarily disable Wi-Fi or reorder network service priorities
Use ping tests to verify device communication if connection appears established
For PC-to-Mac: Ethernet recommended over Thunderbolt due to Windows reliability issues
Getting Started
Important Setup Rules:
Plug in Thunderbolt or Ethernet cable BEFORE opening Luna apps
Wait up to 60 seconds for devices to recognize the connection
Cable must be connected between devices before launching Luna
Changing the Connection Filter
Luna should auto-connect if it detects active Ethernet or Thunderbolt. If not, force Luna to use only your wired connection.
🍏 Mac-to-Mac Setup
Click Luna Display > Settings in top menu bar
In Mac-to-Mac tab, change from "Allow any network interface (default)" to:
Connect via Ethernet only, or
Connect via Thunderbolt only
💻 PC-to-Mac Setup
Click Luna Display > Preferences on PC
In Connectivity tab, change from "Allow any network interface (default)" to:
Connect via Ethernet only, or
Connect via Thunderbolt only
Note: For PC-to-Mac, Ethernet is recommended over Thunderbolt due to Windows Thunderbolt reliability issues.
Check Connection in macOS Settings
The Thunderbolt or Ethernet Bridge creates a network interface between devices via cable. To verify it's working:
Step 1: Connect and Check Status
Connect both devices with cable
Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > Network on both Macs
Look for "Thunderbolt Bridge" or "Ethernet/USB LAN" in left sidebar
Green or yellow dot = "Connected" or "Self-Assigned IP" ✅
🚨 Red Dot "Not Connected" Troubleshooting
🚨 Red Dot "Not Connected" Troubleshooting
Try these steps:
Unplug and replug cable securely
Try a different cable
In Network settings, select connection and set IPv4 to "Using DHCP"
Remove and re-add the Thunderbolt/Ethernet network
Restart both devices
Contact Apple Support if issue continues
📶 Network Priority Issues
📶 Network Priority Issues
Your computer may prioritize Wi-Fi over wired connections. If Luna won't recognize wired connection:
Quick Fix:
Temporarily turn off Wi-Fi on one or both devices
Test if wired connection works
Permanent Fix:
Go to System Settings > Network
Reorder service priorities to place Ethernet/Thunderbolt Bridge above Wi-Fi
How to Complete a Ping Test
How to Complete a Ping Test
Use ping tests to verify device communication when the connection appears established, but Luna won't connect.
Step 1: Prepare Luna Settings
In Luna: Set connection to "Allow any network interface (default)" under Settings > Mac-to-Mac
Quit Luna on both devices
Step 2: Verify Network Status
In System Settings > Network on each device
Confirm connection shows "Connected" or "Self-Assigned IP"
Note the IP addresses for Thunderbolt Bridge or USB Ethernet on each device
Step 3: Run Ping Tests
On Primary Device:
Open Terminal
Run:
ping [IP address of secondary Mac]Press Enter
On Secondary Device:
Open Terminal
Run:
ping [IP address of primary Mac]Press Enter
📊 Understanding Results
✅ Successful Ping: Shows response times and 0% packet loss
❌ Unsuccessful Ping: Shows "Request timeout" or similar errors
If ping fails: Try again or reset cable connection If ping works but Luna doesn't connect: Contact support for further help
Additional Troubleshooting
📡 Ethernet Issues
📡 Ethernet Issues
Check both cable ends are fully connected
Restart both Macs and network equipment
Switch to a new network location in System Settings.
See Apple's Ethernet troubleshooting guide
For more help, check out Apple's support article for troubleshooting an Ethernet connection on a Mac.
⚡ Thunderbolt Issues
⚡ Thunderbolt Issues
Check both cable ends are fully connected
Ensure cable is Thunderbolt-certified
Restart both Macs
See Apple's Thunderbolt troubleshooting guide
For more help, check out Apple's support article for troubleshooting a Thunderbolt connection on a Mac.
🔌 Using Adapters Adapters can be used for Thunderbolt or Ethernet cables when devices have different ports.
Examples:
2015 iMac (Thunderbolt 2) + 2021 MacBook Pro (Thunderbolt 4): Use Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter
Ethernet connection: Use Ethernet to USB-C adapter
Important: Don't plug Luna hardware into adapters/docks - only use adapters for the connection cables.
Need Help?
Still having wired connection issues? Contact support with details about your setup and which troubleshooting steps you've tried.