Multiplayer and Netplay

Netplay lets you host a game room or join someone else’s room. You can also use another phone as a controller.

Before You Start

  • Use a strong Wi-Fi connection when possible.
  • Keep the game tab open while hosting.
  • For the smoothest play, both players should use a stable connection.
  • Some games and cores may work better than others.

Host a Game

  1. Start the game you want to host.
  2. Tap the in-game menu button.
  3. Tap Netplay.
  4. Choose Internet or LAN.
  5. Choose Players.
  6. Optional: turn Performance Mode on if the game feels slow.
  7. Tap Start Host.
  8. Share the Room ID with your friend.

Step 1: Netplay host screen

Image Description: Capture the Netplay drawer showing Host a Game, Internet, LAN, Players, Performance Mode, and Start Host.

Copy the Room ID

  1. After hosting starts, look for Room ID.
  2. Tap the copy icon beside it.
  3. Send the Room ID to your friend.

Step 2: Netplay Room ID display

Image Description: Capture the Room ID box after hosting starts. Show the Room ID and copy icon.

Join by Room ID

  1. Start any game or open the netplay screen.
  2. Tap Netplay.
  3. Under Join a Game, type the Room ID.
  4. Tap Join Room.

Step 3: Join a Game by Room ID

Image Description: Capture the Join a Game section with the Enter Room ID field and Join Room button.

Join from Discover

  1. Tap Discover in the bottom dock.
  2. Open the netplay rooms area.
  3. Pull down or tap Refresh if you do not see recent rooms.
  4. Find a room.
  5. Tap Join.

Step 4: Active Rooms list on mobile

Image Description: Capture the Active Rooms screen showing room cards, player count, Refresh, and Join buttons.

Use LAN Mode

Use LAN when both devices are on the same local network.

  1. Open Netplay.
  2. Tap LAN.
  3. Host or join as normal.
  4. Share the Room ID with someone on the same network.

LAN may feel faster on the same Wi-Fi, but it is not useful if players are in different places.

Use Another Phone as a Remote Controller

  1. Start the game on the main device.
  2. Open the in-game menu.
  3. Tap Remote Control.
  4. Start the remote control session.
  5. On the second phone, join the remote control room.
  6. Use the second phone’s on-screen controls.

Step 5: Remote Control drawer

Image Description: Capture the Remote Control drawer from the play screen. Show the host controls, Room ID, and any join instructions shown by the app.

Leave a Multiplayer Session

  1. Open the in-game menu.
  2. Tap Quit.
  3. If you are hosting, tell other players before leaving.