How can I set up my macOS with my GeForce NOW Ultimate Membership?

MACOS

REGIONAL AVAILABILITY

Before you get started, make sure to check the Service status website to ensure GeForce NOW Ultimate memberships are available in your region. Note that we also require your latency to be less than 80ms from an NVIDIA data center, but we recommend less than 40ms. Please make sure you have run our in-app network test to measure your latency. We do not recommend using Speedtest, or other internet speed test services, as they are not testing your speed to our data centers. 

INTERNET SPEED REQUIREMENTS 

• 45 Mbps for 4K resolutions at 120 FPS (i.e. 3840x2160)
• 35 Mbps for UW QHD & QHD resolutions at 120 FPS (i.e. 3840x1440 or 2560x1440)
• 35 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 240 FPS (i.e. 1920x1080)
• 25 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 60 FPS 
• 15 Mbps for HD resolutions at 60 FPS

We also recommend a hardwired Ethernet connection, or a router with a 5 GHz WiFi connection.

MONITOR, PORT AND ADAPTER REQUIREMENTS

 Once you have selected the video port to use, you may need to purchase an adapter to connect your Mac to your monitor via DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0, or better. 

Most MacBook or iMac users will find that using a USB-C (Thunderbolt) adaptor with a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort connection will deliver the best 120 FPS experience. Some notebook users might want to use a docking station, or a hub, to connect to their notebook. Make sure you check the specifications of those devices, as not all of them are capable of outputting at 4K, UW QHD and/or 120Hz.

Here are some examples of other video ports and adapters you may need:

• Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C: Thunderbolt 3 to DisplayPort adapter, or a Thunderbolt 3 to HDMI 2.0 adapter. 
• Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 1, and Thunderbolt 2: Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter 
• HDMI: Most users will not need an adapter to output HDMI from a Mac to a monitor as long as the cable supports HDMI 2.0 or higher. For instance, Mac Minis with Apple M1 have a HDMI 2.0 port that can support 120Hz monitors with standard HDMI cables. Mac M2 Pro/Max based systems (M2 Pro Mac Mini, M2 Pro MacBook Pro, M2 Max MacBook Pro) have HDMI 2.1 ports.

GEFORCE NOW STREAMING SETTINGS

You have the option of adjusting your streaming quality settings from the GeForce NOW menu. To access these settings, launch the app and go to Settings > Streaming Quality.

Competitive mode / Reflex 240 FPS Streaming Mode
Select this option to turn on Reflex 240Hz mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 240 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals.  For the best experience, pair this mode with:

• 240Hz or ultra high refresh rate NVIDIA G-Sync or G-Sync compatible monitor which will vary the rendering and streaming rate to your display.  We also recommend enabling variable refresh rate in system settings if your monitor and system supports it.
• Select a Reflex enabled game that supports 240 FPS streaming by using the Search Filter => “Feature” => “Reflex” when selecting a game to play in the GeForce NOW app.

• Mac device that meets the minimum requirements (see above “Hardware Requirements”)
• A wired Ethernet connection with at least 35 Mbps download speed.

• Max bit rate. We recommend Auto, but you can select whatever value your network can support.
• Resolution. This should match the maximum allowed by your monitor or notebook, but make sure it’s set to your desired resolution.  Some resolutions will not be visible if your device does not meet the hardware requirements. 
• Frame rate. You will need to set this to 120 FPS if you wish to see the full benefit from your Ultimate membership on 120Hz or faster refresh rate monitors or notebooks.  We recommend users with 60Hz monitors set the streaming frame rate to 60 FPS and Vsync to Adaptive. Setting the streaming frame rate to 120 FPS can reduce latency, but will result in tearing on screen.  If you wish to use the new Reflex mode, set this to 240 FPS.
• VSync. We recommend Adaptive for the best latency and smoothest streaming experience. You can try turning Vsync off to achieve the lowest latency, but you may experience some video tearing during gameplay.  
• Reflex. Select this option to turn on Reflex 240 FPS streaming mode and enable game rendering and streaming at up to 240 FPS for competitive gamers who demand responsive and smooth visuals.  For the best experience, pair this mode with a compatible monitor and a Reflex supported game.