How Can We Help?

Do I Need Tailscale?

No. PCs on the same network (your home Wi-Fi or cable) find each other on their own, and Premium connects your PCs from anywhere through our relays. Tailscale is an optional module, off unless you turn it on. See Setting up Tailscale.

My Other PC Doesn't Show Up On My Home Network

On the PC you want to see: open APE Viewer, go to This PC and turn sharing on. If it says Windows treats the network as Public, click "Make this network private". Both PCs must be on the same network.

Which Graphics Cards Can Share Their Screens?

Any PC can connect to another one. The PC that shares its screens needs a graphics card that can encode video: NVIDIA, AMD and Intel graphics from the last several years all can. Keep the graphics driver up to date.

On Your Home Network (Free)

Both PCs on the same Wi-Fi or cable network. On the PC you want to see, open APE Viewer, go to This PC and turn on sharing, then Pair a device to show a 6-digit code. On the other PC, pick it under Your PCs and type the code once. If Windows treats the network as Public, This PC offers "Make this network private".

From Anywhere, Over The Internet (Premium)

Sign in with the same account on both PCs and turn on sharing on the one you want to see. It then shows under Your PCs on your other PC, wherever it is, and connects through APE Viewer's relays. Everything stays end-to-end encrypted: the relay passes the data along but can't read it. Premium on either PC is enough.

Setting Up Tailscale (Optional, Free)

Tailscale makes your PCs reachable from anywhere as if they were on one network. APE Viewer works without it; use it if you already like Tailscale.

1. Install Tailscale on both PCs from tailscale.com/download and sign in to the same Tailscale account on both.
2. In APE Viewer on both PCs: Your PCs → App settings → Use Tailscale.
3. On the PC you want to see, make sure sharing is on (This PC). Your other PC now lists it under Your PCs, marked Tailscale.
4. Your own tailnet devices connect without pairing. Other people on your tailnet still have to pair with a code, or be added under People.

Turning the module off makes Tailscale an ordinary network again: devices on it have to pair like on the local network.

Who Can Connect To My PC?

Only devices you allow: ones you paired with a code shown on your PC, your own devices signed in to your account, people you invited under People, and (with the Tailscale module on) your own tailnet devices. Everyone else is turned away before they see anything. Connections are end-to-end encrypted, each person's mouse, keyboard, controller, clipboard and sound can be switched off, you can kick anyone, and "Ask me first" makes your PC ask before anyone connects.

AV-1001 The Other PC Didn't Answer

The other PC didn't answer. Check that it's on and that sharing is turned on there (This PC). On a local network, Windows must treat the network as Private.

AV-1002 This PC Isn't Paired Yet

This PC isn't paired yet. On the other PC, open This PC > People & pairing > Pair a device and enter its code here. You can also sign both PCs in to the same account.

AV-1003 Wrong Pairing Code Or Password

The pairing code or password was wrong. Make a new code on the other PC and type it again.

AV-1004 Someone Else Is Using That PC

Someone else is using that PC. Free allows 1 person connected at a time. The PC's owner can allow up to 4 with Premium.

AV-1005 The Owner Didn't Let You In

The PC's owner didn't let you in (or didn't answer in 90 seconds). Ask them, then try again.

AV-1006 You Were Disconnected

The PC's owner ended your session, or their own device took over.

AV-1007 The Two PCs Run Different Versions

The two PCs run different versions. Update APE Viewer on both (Update, in the footer).

AV-1101 That PC Isn't On The Relay

That PC isn't connected to our relays right now. It must run APE Viewer 0.5.2 or later, be shared under your account, and be online.

AV-1102 The Relay Needs Premium

Connecting through the relay is a Premium feature (on either PC).

AV-1103 The Relays Can't Be Reached

Our relays couldn't be reached. Check your internet connection; if it keeps happening, report it.

AV-1104 Sign In To Connect Over The Internet

Sign in to connect over the internet.

AV-2001 This PC's Graphics Card Can't Share Yet

This PC's graphics card can't encode video, so it can't share its screens. Update the graphics driver (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel) and restart the PC. Very old or basic graphics can't share, but the PC can still connect to others.

AV-2002 This PC Can't Decode The Video

This PC can't decode the video. Install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store, and update your graphics driver.

AV-2003 This PC Can't Decode That Format

This PC can't decode the format the other PC streams. Choose H.264 in the quality settings.

AV-3001 The Update Is Installed But Didn't Reopen

The update is installed. Close this window and open APE Viewer from the Start menu.

AV-3002 The Update Download Was Damaged

The update download was damaged. Try again; if it keeps failing, download the installer from the website.

AV-3003 Windows Didn't Allow The Install

Windows didn't get permission to install. Try again and click Yes when Windows asks.

AV-4001 Offline

You're offline, or our servers can't be reached. Connections over Tailscale and the local network still work.

AV-4002 Your Sign-in Expired

Your sign-in expired. Sign in again.

AV-5001 Controllers Need A Driver

Controllers need the ViGEmBus driver on the PC you connect to: there, open This PC > Sharing settings > Controllers > Install driver.