Shadow lets you add an additional screen to your streaming session, giving you the freedom to set up a dual-screen experience. You can connect an additional screen on your desktop and mobile devices.
Use the matrix below to determine which additional screen experience is recommended for you.
Compatibility key
Compatible
Planned 1
Incompatible
1 This is planned for a future update and may be available only for Shadow Alpha or Beta, not officially supported.
System
Local screen
Remote screen
Windows
macOS
Ubuntu
iOS
tvOS
Android
Android TV
1 Since the last update to iOS 16, it turns out that our additional screen feature is no longer functional. We are working to fix this issue in future updates.
Add a second local screen
If you'd like to stream Shadow to two screens from the same device, this is called a local screen setup. To use this setup, follow the steps below according to your operating system:
Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu
Plug your second screen into the device you'll use to stream Shadow. Make sure the screen has power and is turned on.
To open the Quick Menu, log into the Shadow launcher, then Start Shadow.
Once Shadow starts, click on the Shadow logo located at the top of the screen, or press the Quick Menu shortcut:
Windows : ALT + WIN + O macOS : ALT + CMD + O Linux : ALT + SUPER + O
Click the Video & Display section, then the Enable Dual Screen button.
You can also connect your second screen when you are already on your Shadow. In this case, a new window will open to let you enable it:
Note: To save your settings and have Shadow detect your second screen every time you start streaming, check the box next to Enable dual-screen streaming automatically. Otherwise, Shadow will only detect your second screen for this session and your settings will not be saved.
In the same Video & Display section, you will find other settings. Those are optional and not required, but they may enhance your dual-screen experience when applied:
Paramètre
Explication
Display settings
Click to choose a custom resolution. Use the pop-up window to modify your resolution.
To make this setting appear, uncheck "Always match Shadow resolution with your local display".
Enable dual-screen streaming automatically
Check this box to have Shadow detect and use your second screen in the future.
Always match Shadow resolution with your local display
Check this box to have Shadow use the resolution settings for your primary screen. Uncheck this box to choose a custom resolution.
Note :If you decide to choose your own resolution, you'll have to manually change the resolution via a pop-up window every time Shadow detects a new screen..
Android
With the "Additional screen only" or "Additional screen (extended)" feature, we allow you to use a computer screen directly on your compatible Android smartphones, using USB-C.
Additional screen only: You can use a secondary screen as the main screen. The smartphone no longer broadcasts the Shadow.
Additional screen (extended): You can use a secondary screen as a second screen. The smartphone still broadcasts your Shadow session. Here is the nexdock website that shows you the compatible Android smartphones list: https://nexdock.com/lapdock-for-smartphones/
Why “Under development”? Because smartphone manufacturers use different components, APIs, and versions of Android, it is complicated for Shadow to adapt to all technologies and have a similar experience on all devices. This is much easier on iOS, as only the OS version changes.
However, we decided to release the additional screen feature since it is functional, provided it is activated as instructed in this article. We are aware that there are still improvements to be made and we will certainly improve the functionality per manufacturer little by little.
When you log in to Shadow, the application automatically detects if you have a second screen. When you open the Settings page, you can select either feature by clicking “Additional screen” then “Additional screen (extended)” or “Additional screen only”
Compatibility key
Works properly
Partially functional
Not functional
Device
Additional screen only
Additional screen (extended)
Additional info
Samsung (presentation/mirroring mode)
The cursor may disappear. The cursor will also disappear once you touch your smartphone’s screen.
This is a manufacturer limitation and we are currently working on a solution.
Samsung (Desktop DeX mode)
Just accept the manufacturer's window when launching the feature..
To close the application, please disable the additional screen from the settings, force the application to shut down from your main device or unplug your screen.
We advise you to launch Shadow from the smartphone to continue to have access to the overlay.
OnePlus (presentation/mirroring mode)
The cursor may disappear. When you touch the screen of your smartphone, the cursor will disappear. To recover the cursor, you must deactivate the option and then reactivate it.
OnePlus (Desktop mode)
To stop the additional screen, please close the application, force the application to shut down from your main device, or unplug your screen or you can disable the feature directly from the Settings.
The "Desktop" mode is currently under development by some manufacturers, which complicates the task. However, according to our tests on One Plus, it works better in "Desktop" mode. Here is a tutorial to activate it:
The cursor may disappear. The cursor will also disappear once you touch your smartphone’s screen. To recover the cursor, you must deactivate the feature and then reactivate it.
Huawei (EMUI Desktop Mode)
Just accept the manufacturer window when launching the feature. To close the application, please disable the additional screen from the settings, force the application to shut down from your main device or unplug your screen
Change the layout of your screens
Windows will automatically decide the order and position of your screens. If you'd like to change the order or position, right-click the Windows desktop directly on Shadow, then choose Display settings.
A new window will appear. In this window, you can change the order of your screens and their positions.
Dual Screen Drawbacks
There are some existing drawbacks, and knowing these may help you troubleshoot any issues you might encounter. Open the list below for more information. This list will be updated as we continue to make progress and changes.
Decoding
Shadow's Dual Screen feature relies on your local computer for decoding. The additional decoding needed to use Dual Screen may be stressful for your local computer, especially, if your computer does not meet our minimum requirements.
If you experience lagging or freezing, change your resolution to 1920 x 1080, then, gradually increase the resolution setting until you find a high resolution that doesn't lag or freeze. Scaling does not affect the experience.
Ubuntu
Due to its popularity, the Dual Screen feature may not be as stable on the Ubuntu version compared to Windows and macOS.
Add a remote screen
If you'd like to stream Shadow to two screens from different devices, this is called a remote screen setup. To use this setup, follow the steps below:
On your main device, open the Shadow launcher.
Log in to Shadow, then click Start.
On your second device, open the Shadow launcher.
Log in to Shadow using the same email address and password you used for your main device.
Click Start.
A pop-up window will appear after you click Start. The window will provide two options:
Remote Screen
Disconnect the other device
Click "Remote Screen" to stream Shadow on your two devices.
