How to set up GeForce NOW on iPhone and iPad

Razer Kishi Ge Force Now Cyberpunk
Razer Kishi Ge Force Now Cyberpunk (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

GeForce NOW is NVIDIA's cloud-based streaming service for games. With the subscription, you can access and play your library of games from Steam or other compatible game stores. The best part is that you can pick up your games where you left off and continue your journey since it includes cloud saves. But just how do you set it up on iPhones and iPad? We're here to help.

Note: Playing games on your phone can be a lot easier with a game controller. We'll go over which ones are compatible with GeForce NOW and other info you should know.

Things you should know

  • There currently isn't any keyboard or mouse support for GeForce NOW on iPhone and iPad. If you want more control, you'll want to buy a compatible gamepad.
  • There are two GeForce NOW Memberships (opens in new tab): A Free membership or a Priority membership for $9.99/month.
  • The free membership only gives you access to one-hour gaming sessions and sometimes requires you to wait in a queue to access servers.
  • You must own a game through one of the supported game stores to play it via GeForce NOW. Thousands of games (opens in new tab) are currently supported.

How to get GeForce NOW iOS

  1. Using your iPhone or iPad, open Safari and go to play.geforcenow.com.
  2. Tap the Share icon.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios App (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Share Button (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Add to Home Screen.
  2. Select Add.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Add To Home Screen (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Select Add (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Launch the GeForce NOW app from your home screen.
  2. You'll be asked to look over the terms GeForce NOW Terms of Use. After looking them over select Agree & Continue.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios App (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Agree And Continue (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select the user icon in the upper right corner.
  2. Select the Nvidia icon to Log In if you already have an account or tap Join Today if you want to create one.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios User Icon (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Login Or Join Today (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your account info or if you're creating a new account complete the sign up process.
  2. Select the Log In button.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Login Enter Info (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Login (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Once that's done, select Done in the upper left corner.
  2. Now select your profile icon.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Login Done (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios User Icon (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap on the Nvidia button.
  2. Click the green button with your user name.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Nvidia Button (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios User Name (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Submit.
  2. Select Done in the upper left corner of the screen.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Submit (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Done (Image credit: iMore)

Now your account is all set up on your iPhone or iPad. The next thing to do is to sync your Steam account so that you can play all of the lovely games from your library.

Sync your Steam account

With the GeForce NOW app on your iPhone or iPad, you're able to sync your Steam account. Here's how to do it.

  1. Open the GeForce NOW app.
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu on the upper left.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios App (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Hamburger (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Settings.
  2. Tap on link icon under the Game Sync section.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Settings (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Link Button (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your Steam account info.
  2. Tap Sign In.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Login Info (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Sign In (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Check the email associated with your Steam account for a code and then enter the code into the field.
  2. Tap Submit.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Enter Code (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Submit (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Proceed to Steam!
  2. Tap Sign In.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Proceed To Steam (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Steam Sign In (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Done in the upper left corner.
  2. Your Steam Profile and Game Details must be set to public in order to sync with GeForce NOW. If that is not the case, tap on the link that says your Steam account settings.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Done (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Steam Account Settings (Image credit: iMore)
  1. This will open Steam. Tap on the dropdown links for My Profile and Game details and change them to Public.
  2. Return to GeForce NOW when you're finished.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Public (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Geforce Now (Image credit: iMore)

Compatible controllers

Razer Kishi Ios Controller Standing Alone (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

Some games require you to use a compatible gamepad. Nvidia does include a list of recommended controllers (opens in new tab). If you use one of the controllers from Nvidia's list, it will automatically work with compatible games that you access. Keep in mind that controller compatibility differs from game to game as it partially depends on what functions developers build into the software.

I personally use the Razer Kishi for iPhone as it basically turns my iPhone into a Nintendo Switch that can play PC games. It's also possible to connect an Xbox controller or a PS4 controller to both your iPhone and iPad. We're working on guides specifically for those controllers and will add links to them when they're done.

How to activate a code

If you've received a game code as a gift, this is what you'll need to do to redeem it.

  1. Open the GeForce NOW app.
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu on the upper left.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios App (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Hamburger (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Settings.
  2. Tap on Activate.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Settings (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Activate (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter the code and verification number.
  2. Press Redeem.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Enter Info (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Redeem (Image credit: iMore)

How to adjust streaming quality

This is where you go to adjust stream rate and resolution settings.

  1. Open the GeForce NOW app.
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu on the upper left.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios App (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Steam Hamburger (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select Settings.
  2. Tap the arrow under Streaming Quality.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Steam Settings (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Streaming Quality Balanced Arrow (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose Custom to change settings.
  2. Scroll down and change the settings as you desire for Max bit rate, Resolution, and Frame rate.Source: iMore

Gefoce Now Ios Custom (Image credit: iMore)

Gefoce Now Ios Adjust Bit Rate Resolution Frame Rate (Image credit: iMore)
  • Max Bit Rate: Determines how many bits per second your device receives, which determines the size and quality of the video and audio that comes through your games.
  • Resolution: The higher the number of pixels used, the better an image looks. However, if your device isn't powerful enough, this can slow your gameplay down.
  • Frame rate: This is the frequency that images appear on screen to create a moving picture. If your device can't handle a higher frame rate, it might not work very smoothly.

GeForce NOW iOS

Thanks to GeForce NOW, you don't have to purchase a fancy computer or an expensive console to play some of the hottest games. Setting up your GeForce account and settings doesn't take long and brings thousands of fun adventures to your iPhone or iPad. Jump in and get playing!

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.