Quick Answer ⚡
Latency = delay between your action and seeing it on your Luna Display
Wired connections: 1-4ms (fastest)
Wi-Fi connections: 7-25ms (still excellent)
Check your latency: Visit http://localhost:44557/vitals while Luna is running
Optimize performance: Use wired connections, stay close to router, reduce network congestion
Wondering why sometimes your Luna Display feels super responsive and other times a bit sluggish? It's all about latency! Understanding what affects it will help you get the smoothest possible experience.
🤔What is Latency?
Latency is the tiny delay between when you do something and when you see it happen on your Luna Display. Think of it like this: you move your mouse on your Mac, and a split second later you see the cursor move on your iPad. That split second is latency!
Lower latency = snappier, more responsive feel
Higher latency = noticeable delay, feels sluggish
The good news? Luna Display minimizes latency way better than other solutions - we're talking 11.5ms average vs 95ms for competitors (on WiFi).
🔌Wired Connections (Fastest)
Direct cable connections give you the best performance
Latency range: 1-4ms
Thunderbolt
Ethernet (direct or through router)
USB (Mac-to-iPad or Mac-to-Mac with compatible devices)
Perfect for: Design work, gaming, anything requiring precision
📶 Wi-Fi Connections
Still excellent performance with more flexibility
Latency range: 7-25ms (average 11.5ms)
Both devices on same Wi-Fi network
One device on Ethernet, one on Wi-Fi (hybrid setup)
Great for: General productivity, reading, presentations
📡Peer-to-Peer Connections
Direct device-to-device connection without Wi-Fi
Similar to Wi-Fi performance
Available for Mac-to-Mac and Mac-to-iPad
Doesn't require Wi-Fi network
🔍How to Check Your Current Latency
Want to see exactly how your setup is performing?
Make sure Luna Display is running on both devices
Open this link on your primary device: http://localhost:44557/vitals
Look for the cyan-blue graph - that's your latency!
Check connection type in the top-right corner
What you'll see:
Real-time latency measurements
Throughput information
Spikes during intensive tasks (totally normal!)
🛠️ Connection Setup Guide
Wi-Fi Connections
Wi-Fi Connections
Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network
Hybrid option: Connect one device via Ethernet to your router
Wired Connections
Wired Connections
Best performance, requires compatible cables
Mac-to-iPad:
USB data cable directly between devices
Mac-to-Mac:
Thunderbolt cable (direct connection)
Ethernet cable (direct or both to router)
USB cable (check compatibility requirements →)
PC-to-Mac:
Ethernet cable (direct or both to router)
Peer-to-Peer
Peer-to-Peer
No Wi-Fi network needed
Available for Mac-to-Mac and Mac-to-iPad
🐌 What Causes Higher Latency?
Wi-Fi Issues
Distance & obstacles:
Too far from your router
Walls, floors, or metal objects blocking the signal
Network problems:
Too many devices on your network
Old router or outdated Wi-Fi standards
Interference from neighbors' networks
Quick fixes:
Move closer to your router
Switch to the 5GHz band if available
Upgrade to a modern router (Wi-Fi 6 recommended)
Wired Connection Issues
Cable problems:
Damaged or low-quality cables
Cables that are too long
Signal interference between cables
System performance:
Computer running too many apps
Insufficient RAM or processing power
Resource-intensive apps (Photoshop, video editing)
🚀 Optimizing Your Latency
Immediate improvements:
Use a wired connection when possible
Close unnecessary apps on both devices
Move closer to your router for Wi-Fi
Switch to 5GHz Wi-Fi if available
Longer-term upgrades:
Get a modern router with Wi-Fi 6
Use quality cables for wired connections
Upgrade your internet plan for better bandwidth
💡 Pro Tip: Temporary latency spikes during video playback or graphic-intensive work are completely normal - even wired connections will show brief increases!
Still experiencing high latency?
Check out our detailed guides linked above or contact support with your vitals screenshot for personalized help.