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NVIDIA GeForce NOW is a cloud gaming service that runs supported PC games on NVIDIA’s remote gaming rigs and streams the video to your device. You do not need a powerful gaming PC, but you generally must own the game through a supported store such as Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, PC Game Pass, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, EA app, or Xbox.
GeForce NOW supports Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, SHIELD TV, selected Samsung and LG TVs, iPhone and iPad, Android devices, Steam Deck, VR headsets, Linux PCs, and other compatible hardware. The exact catalog, membership options, and device support vary by country and platform.
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How GeForce NOW works
GeForce NOW is not a game store and does not normally provide games as part of your membership. Instead, it connects to supported PC storefronts and launches your owned games on a remote NVIDIA gaming computer. The rendered game is streamed to your screen, while your controller, keyboard, and mouse inputs are sent back to the cloud rig.
Supported free-to-play games can be played without buying them. For paid games, you must purchase or own the correct supported store version. A game being available on Steam, for example, does not automatically mean its Epic Games Store or console version is supported.
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- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
NVIDIA currently describes the catalog as containing more than 4,500 games. Its games page separately lists 4,000-plus games and more than 2,200 premium Install-to-Play titles. These are catalog counts, not a promise that every PC game works with GeForce NOW. Check the official games list for a particular title.
Ready-to-Play versus Install-to-Play
Ready-to-Play games
Ready-to-Play titles are maintained and tested by NVIDIA and can normally be streamed immediately after you connect the relevant game-store account. You do not install the game yourself.
Install-to-Play games
Install-to-Play is a premium-only feature for eligible Steam games whose publishers have opted into Steam Cloud Gaming. It is not a way to install any Steam game on NVIDIA’s servers.
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Search for a game you own and look for the Install-to-Play tag. Click Install; the streaming session starts after the download finishes.
Performance and Ultimate memberships include 100 GB of single-session cloud storage. That storage is cleared between sessions, so the game must be downloaded again at the beginning of the next session. Some games require more than 100 GB even to begin installation.
You can instead buy optional persistent cloud storage in 200 GB, 500 GB, or 1 TB capacities. Persistent storage keeps the downloaded installation between sessions and can preserve save data for games that do not support Steam Cloud. Games that support Steam Cloud can retain progress between sessions without persistent storage, although persistent storage is still relevant if you want to keep the installation.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
GeForce NOW memberships
GeForce NOW currently has three membership tiers: Free, Performance, and Ultimate. NVIDIA also offers Day Passes for temporary premium access. Pricing and availability differ by region, so use the membership page for your country rather than relying on prices from another market.
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The Free tier provides access to basic cloud gaming rigs, subject to availability and queues. Free sessions include advertisements of up to two minutes before gameplay. Ads do not interrupt the game after the session begins, but you may still wait in a queue afterward depending on server traffic.
Performance
Performance provides RTX-enabled rigs and supports up to 1440p at 60 frames per second. It is aimed at players who want better access and image quality than the free tier without paying for the highest available hardware.
Ultimate
Ultimate currently provides first access to RTX 5080 virtual gaming rigs, subject to availability. NVIDIA lists support for up to 5K at 120 FPS, or up to 360 FPS at 1080p in competitive gaming mode. The tier also includes RTX 50-Series performance, DLSS 4, and up to 90 FPS through the native Steam Deck client.
Older guides often describe Ultimate as an RTX 4080 tier. NVIDIA’s current membership information identifies RTX 5080 rigs as the top Ultimate configuration instead.
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Performance and Ultimate memberships include 100 hours of monthly playtime, with up to 15 unused hours rolling into the next month. When you reach the limit, you can purchase additional premium playtime through the Account Portal, or continue on basic rigs without the other premium benefits until the monthly reset.
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- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
Starting April 30, 2026, premium members retain access to Install-to-Play games even after exhausting their purchased monthly playtime.
Some older accounts have special rules. Members who were grandfathered into unlimited playtime before January 15, 2026 retain it only until the first billing date after that date; the account then receives the 100-hour limit and 15-hour rollover. Founders memberships retain unlimited playtime for life only while the membership does not lapse. Upgrading a Founders account to Ultimate applies the monthly limit; unlimited playtime returns only if the member switches back to the base Founders membership.
Ultimate six-month memberships have been replaced by 12-month memberships. Existing six-month Ultimate subscribers can continue biannual billing while the account remains in good standing, but changing tiers prevents a return to that six-month plan.
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How to set up GeForce NOW
- Visit GeForceNOW.com and select Join Now, or open the NVIDIA Account Portal and choose a membership.
- Create or sign in to your NVIDIA account.
- Choose a membership. Creating an NVIDIA account alone may not complete GeForce NOW enrollment.
- Open the app or visit play.geforcenow.com in a supported browser.
- Connect the store or publisher accounts where your games are owned.
- Verify ownership, allow the library to populate, and launch a supported game.
To check your current plan in the app, open Settings → GeForce NOW membership. To change plans, select Manage, then choose membership plans on the website.
For Ubisoft Connect, use GeForce NOW Settings → Connections. After linking, Ubisoft games should appear in My Library. Existing users may need to reconnect Ubisoft Connect to restore synchronization.
Compatible devices
GeForce NOW can stream to many devices, but controls and app support differ:
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- RGB Cool Lightning Bolt & Long Battery Life: Switch controller with lightening bolt style and 9-color LED looks really cool; 4 light modes: solid lights, breathing lights, RGB strobe led light and led off; Fully charged: 3-4 hours, Runtime: 10-15 hours
- Widly Compatible & One-key Pairing/Wake Up: The switch pro controller is compatible with Switch/Lite/OLED/PC Windows 7/8/10 (only wrok for pc under wired connection); 2 pairing ways; Support one key to wake up your switch console
- Programmable Button & 3 Speeds Turbo: Switch controllers has simplify complex skill operations with M1/M2 key; Support single and multiple mapping; 3 adjustable burst: 5 shots/s, 12 shots/s and 20 shots/s; Programming and Turbo will maximize game play
- Sensitive Motion Control & 4-Level Nice Vibration: 6-axis gyro sensor help you react quickly, enhance experience in sports games; Buttons and joysticks are responsive, no lag; Dual vibration motors with 4-level feedback: Strong, Medium, Weak and None
- Great Gift For All People: This cool switch controller will be great gifts for women, men, girl, boy, family and friends; Packing list: 1 X Wireless switch controller, 1 X Type-C cable, 1 X Detailed user manual, 1 X Cool gift box
- Windows: 64-bit Windows 10 or later, a dual-core x86/x64 CPU at 2.0 GHz or faster, or a Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor with beta support; 4 GB of memory and a DirectX 11-or-later GPU are required. 32-bit Windows is unsupported.
- Mac: macOS 10.15 or later; NVIDIA lists Macs introduced in 2009 or later.
- Browser: Chrome 77 or later on Windows, macOS, or Chromebook; Edge 91 or later on Windows; Opera GX 117 or later on Windows or macOS; or Safari 16.4 or later on macOS. Launch at play.geforcenow.com.
- iPhone and iPad: iOS/iPadOS 15.4 or later. A gamepad is required for gameplay. Keyboard and mouse can help with menus and sign-in but are not recommended for playing because of Safari limitations.
- Android: Android 7.0 or later, OpenGL ES 2.0 or later, and 1 GB of available memory. The virtual gamepad is useful for short tasks but is not recommended for long-term play.
- TVs: Supported Samsung and LG TVs, SHIELD TV, and selected Fire TV devices. A supported gamepad is required for gameplay; keyboards and mice can navigate the app on supported TVs.
- Steam Deck: supported through the native client, with NVIDIA listing up to 90 FPS for Ultimate members.
- Linux: a beta experience requiring Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. NVIDIA GPUs require Xorg/X11, while AMD and Intel GPUs use Wayland. The system also needs H.264 or H.265 Vulkan video-codec support, NVIDIA driver 580.126.07 or later, and preferably Mesa 24.2.8 for Intel or AMD graphics.
Supported smart-TV models are specific: NVIDIA currently lists eligible 2020–2025 LG TVs with current webOS firmware and browser updates, plus selected 2020–2025 Samsung TVs. Fire TV support includes the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (first generation), Fire TV Stick 4K Max (first and second generations), and Fire TV Stick 4K (second generation), with the required Fire OS versions listed in NVIDIA’s system requirements.
Internet requirements
Cloud gaming quality depends more than ordinary video streaming on latency, consistency, packet loss, and Wi-Fi interference. NVIDIA requires less than 80 ms latency to an NVIDIA data center and recommends wired Ethernet or 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
| Target stream | Recommended minimum bandwidth |
|---|---|
| HD up to 60 FPS | 15 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 FPS | 25 Mbps |
| QHD or ultrawide QHD at 120 FPS | 35 Mbps |
| 4K at 120 FPS | 45 Mbps |
| QHD/FHD at 240 or 360 FPS | 55 Mbps |
| 5K at 120 FPS | 65 Mbps |
For the best quality in Ultimate’s Cinematic Quality Streaming mode, NVIDIA currently recommends 100 Mbps. These figures do not guarantee a good experience: a fast connection with high latency or unstable routing can still produce delay, stutter, or image degradation.
Useful controls and shortcuts
- Press Ctrl+N on Windows or ChromeOS, or Cmd+N on macOS, to open the Streaming Statistics Overlay and switch between Standard and Compact modes.
- The older Ctrl+Alt+F6 statistics shortcut has been retired.
- NVIDIA Highlights is no longer enabled by default. During streaming, press Ctrl+G on Windows or Cmd+G on macOS, then select the gear icon to configure it. Preferences are saved per game.
- On Chromebook, allow microphone access for play.geforcenow.com in Chrome’s site permissions to use in-game voice chat. The older overlay-based microphone setup is no longer required.
Common problems and fixes
You created an NVIDIA account but cannot launch games
Account creation may not select a GeForce NOW membership. Return to GeForceNOW.com, click Join Now, or select a membership in the NVIDIA Account Portal.
A game is missing
Check whether the title is supported, whether you own the correct store version, and whether it is available in your country. Regional content-rating rules can block access. If it is a Ubisoft title, reconnect Ubisoft Connect through Settings → Connections.
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Check your monthly usage. After 100 hours, buy additional premium playtime or continue on basic rigs until reset. Install-to-Play access remains available to premium members from April 30, 2026, even after purchased monthly playtime is exhausted.
Best Value
- Platform Compatibility: This PC controller is designed for Windows PC, Steam, Switch, Android, and iOS. Xbox-style asymmetric stick layout for PC gamers. Three modes cover all your devices. Please check your device compatibility before purchase
- Three Connection Modes: 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, wired USB-C. PC gets native XInput/DirectInput. Switch pairs via Bluetooth, no adapter. This gaming PC controller switches devices seamlessly. Stable wireless minimizes random disconnects during gaming
- Hall Effect Precision: Hall effect joysticks and triggers eliminate stick drift. This gaming controller for PC delivers smooth, responsive input with no dead zones. Built for FPS, racing, and action games. Long-term precision for competitive PC gaming
- Back Buttons & Battery: Two programmable back buttons map combos and shortcuts. Textured grips with dual vibration. 1000mAh battery delivers up to 20H playtime. RGB can be turned off. A solid PC controller for gaming with custom back buttons
- ABXY Layout Switch: Press B + Minus + Plus to swap between PC and Switch modes. Features: 1000Hz polling rate, RGB lighting, turbo. Note: designed without mic jack or gyro sensor
An Install-to-Play game must download again
That is expected when using single-session storage. Choose persistent cloud storage if you want the installation retained. Save progress still depends on Steam Cloud support or persistent storage.
Your Linux app stopped working after a driver update
Reinstall the GeForce NOW app after installing a new host NVIDIA driver, as NVIDIA specifies in its Linux requirements.
Your mouse stutters
If you use a USB gaming mouse, lower its polling rate to 125 Hz and test again.
Your keyboard and mouse do not control a game on iPhone, iPad, or TV
This is a platform limitation. Use a supported gamepad for gameplay.
A paid membership has not activated
SEPA Direct Debit payments can take up to seven business days to settle. Benefits activate when the payment settles.
Is GeForce NOW worth using?
GeForce NOW is most compelling if you already own supported PC games and want to play them on a low-powered laptop, Mac, Chromebook, phone, handheld, or TV. It can also be useful when you want high-end graphics without buying a gaming PC.
The trade-offs are equally important: you need a reliable low-latency connection, not every game is supported, storefront and regional restrictions apply, premium tiers have a 100-hour monthly limit, and Install-to-Play storage may involve repeated downloads unless you pay for persistent storage. If you want entirely offline play or unrestricted access to every PC game, GeForce NOW is not a replacement for a local gaming PC.
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