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How do I use a Peer-to-Peer connection in Luna Display?

Learn the difference between Peer-to-Peer and Wi-Fi, and how to connect via Peer-to-Peer

Updated this week

Quick answer

📡 Want faster, more stable performance? Peer-to-Peer lets your Mac and iPad connect directly without going through your router, reducing lag and improving stability. Available for Mac-to-iPad and Mac-to-Mac connections only.

💡 Key benefits:

  • Direct connection: Devices talk directly to each other, no router needed

  • Better performance: Faster speeds and more stable connection

  • Reduced interference: Avoids busy Wi-Fi networks and router limitations

  • Simple setup: Easy to enable in connection settings

What is Peer-to-Peer?

🔗 Direct Device Connection

How it works:

  • Direct communication: Your Macs and/or iPad connect directly to each other

  • No router required: Bypasses your home or office router entirely

  • Wi-Fi antenna used: Still uses Wi-Fi technology but not your network

Traditional Wi-Fi vs Peer-to-Peer:

  • Traditional: Mac → Router → iPad (router is middleman)

    Peer-to-Peer diagram
  • Peer-to-Peer: Mac ↔ iPad (direct connection)

    Wi-Fi connection diagram

Performance benefits:

  • Reduced latency: Eliminates router processing delays

  • Better stability: Less interference from other network devices

  • Improved speeds: Direct connection often faster than router-mediated

Compatibility Requirements

Software versions:

  • Luna Display: Version 5.3 or later

  • Mac: macOS 10.15 Catalina or later

  • iPad: iPadOS 13 or later

Connection limitations:

  • Mac & iPad only: Currently works only for Mac-to-iPad or Mac-to-Mac connections

  • Wi-Fi required: Wi-Fi must be enabled on both devices (antenna needed)

Not available for: Windows PC connections

📱 Setting Up Peer-to-Peer

Choose Peer-to-Peer before establishing connection:

Primary and Secondary Mac

  1. Open discovery screen: Launch Luna Display on primary Mac and Luna Secondary on secondary Mac

  2. Click Connection Options: Find button in top right of discovery screen

  3. Select Peer-to-Peer: Choose from available connection methods

  4. Verify compatibility: Option grayed out if not supported

iPad

  1. Open discovery screen: Launch Luna Display on iPad

  2. Click Connection Options: Find button in top right of discovery screen

  3. Select Peer-to-Peer: Choose from available connection methods

  4. Verify compatibility: Option grayed out if not supported

💡 Note: Only wireless connection options appear in Connection Options - wired options are shown elsewhere.

🔄 Changing Connection While Connected

  1. Open Luna menu: Click on the primary Luna Display window

  2. Find Connection Options: Click on the dropdown in the top right

  3. Choose method: Select preferred connection type


🔧 If Peer-to-Peer Isn't Working

Option grayed out or unavailable:

  • Check requirements: Verify both devices meet system requirements

  • Enable Wi-Fi: Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on both devices

  • Update software: Confirm Luna Display is up to date on both devices (Luna 5.3)

  • Restart devices: Try restarting both devices

Performance issues:

  • Check compatibility: Ensure devices support Peer-to-Peer

  • Switch USB ports: If using USB backup, try different ports

  • Verify versions: Confirm macOS 10.15+ and iPadOS 13+


When to Use Peer-to-Peer

🚀 Ideal Scenarios

Best for:

  • Busy networks: Environments with lots of Wi-Fi interference

  • Router limitations: When router causes performance bottlenecks

  • Latency sensitive work: Drawing, design work requiring immediate response

  • Network isolation: When you want connection independent of network infrastructure

Performance expectations:

  • Often fastest: Usually the faster wireless connection method

  • Most reliable: More stable than router-dependent connections

  • Consistent: Performance doesn't depend on network traffic

💡 Optimization Tips

For best results:

  • Keep devices close: Maintain reasonable distance between your connected devices

  • Clear interference: Minimize obstacles between devices

  • Update regularly: Keep both devices and apps updated

  • Test performance: Compare with Wi-Fi to see improvement

Need Help?

If you're still experiencing issues with Peer-to-Peer connections, contact our support team with details about your device models and software versions.

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