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. To see if your device's operating system is compatible, refer to the compatible operating systems and devices.

To connect an additional screen to Shadow, you can add a second local screen or a remote screen.

Compatible operating systems and 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
Shadow Ghost	²
Shadow Box V1
iOS
tvOS
Android
Android TV

² Due to hardware limitations, the Shadow Ghost is unable to connect to two local screens

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.

Step 1: Plug in your second screen

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.

Shadow Box V1

Using two DisplayPort cables, plug both of your screens into the Shadow Box.
Plug both cables into your screens.
Start Shadow from the launcher.

Shadow will automatically detect your second screen without any further configuration needed.

⚠️ Warning: Due to hardware limitations, the Shadow Box can only support a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 when a second screen is connected. The streaming quality may diminish on screens with a resolution higher than 1920 x 1080.

Step 2: Open the Quick Menu

Use the Quick Menu to select and configure your second screen.

Open the Quick Menu, then click the Display tab.
If Shadow detects a second screen, the Enable Dual Screen button will appear.

📝 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.

Step 3: Other display settings (optional)

The settings below are optional and not required, but they may enhance your dual-screen experience when applied.

Setting		Explanation
	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's resolution with your local display.
	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.
	Enable dual-screen streaming automatically	Check this box to have Shadow detect and use your second screen in the future.

Other display settings.png

📝 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.

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.

Step 1: Start your main device

On your main device, open the Shadow launcher.
Log in to Shadow, then click Start.

Step 2: Start your second device

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.

Step 3: Enable the remote screen

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.

EN Remote screen.png

Windows display settings

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.

Drawbacks

Because this is a new feature, there are some drawbacks, and knowing these drawbacks 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.

List of drawbacks

Bitrate usage

While using Dual Screen, the bit rate used is divided by 2.

For example, if you set the bit rate to 50Mbps via the Launcher or the Quick Menu, the bitrate applied to each screen will be 25Mbps.

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.

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How to add an additional screen to Shadow