When I first acquired an Android phone more than 15 years ago (wow), I imagined using it to play the types of games I had on my PC back then. Today, that aspiration has been fulfilled, though there are still some restrictions. There are numerous methods to play those same games or stream them to your mobile screen—and now Razer has introduced another option.
Razer PC Remote Play is still labeled as beta in the Razer Cortex omnibus application on my PC, and “beta” seems to be an accurate description. It’s far from a polished, cohesive application and feels more like a practical remote access tool with some gaming features—most notably the integration with Razer’s Kishi series of phone controllers—added on. The app can either stream your complete PC display (just one) or create a virtual window for a game (to optimize bandwidth), and it will automatically adapt to your phone’s resolution and refresh rate.
While you must be connected to the same local network as the host PC to set up the connection, once you’ve established it through your Razer account, it should theoretically be possible to play over a mobile connection… but I couldn’t get it to work. The PC Remote Play app on my phone detected my host PC at home (right in front of me, but routed through numerous cell towers) but failed to establish a connection, let alone try streaming.
I suspect that most gamers interested in this app will already have alternate ways to achieve similar results, such as Steam’s streaming feature for direct local PC access or Nvidia’s GeForce Now for a more hands-off approach to streaming games you own. I’m not particularly impressed with Razer’s PC software overall—the fact that it’s arguably the most reliable and stable of the dedicated “driver” programs for gaming accessories reflects poorly on that entire software category rather than being a compliment for Razer.
Unless you specifically need direct integration with Razer mobile controllers, especially the Kishi Ultra’s remarkable haptic feedback system, I don’t believe you need to bother with setting it up on both your PC and Android device.
Razer has rolled out Razer PC Remote Play, a new streaming platform that enables PC gamers to stream their PC games to their iOS or Android devices. The platform is compatible with all mobile gaming controllers that work with the mentioned operating systems and utilizes AV1 encoding to deliver a high-quality, low-latency gaming experience.
Razer PC Remote Play makes your (supported) PC games easily accessible from your mobile device via the Razer Nexus app. Currently, the platform is compatible with Steam, PC Game Pass, Epic Games “and more.” Razer’s remote software requires a Windows 10 host PC and a mobile device with iOS 18 or Android 14 (or newer) to serve as the streaming device.
One advantage Razer has over its competitors is the full support of a mobile device’s display capabilities. Generally, PC-to-mobile streaming services are restricted by the output specifications of the host PC. However, Razer’s PC remote play platform can automatically adjust display resolution and refresh rate to align with the streaming device. This is particularly advantageous for smartphones, which usually have an aspect ratio of approximately 21:9.
In addition to supporting all mobile gaming controllers, Razer provides extra haptic feedback support (called Razer Sensa HD Haptics) for its Razer Kishi Ultra controller, designed for Android devices. iPads also receive enhanced peripheral support and are fully compatible with keyboards, mice, and trackpads.
As stated by a Razer product developer on Reddit, Razer shapes its remote play platform with a focus on user-friendliness and simplicity compared to its rivals. Most other platforms, like Moonlight or Steam Remote Play, necessitate user adjustments to optimize the settings. In contrast, Razer PC Remote Play is said to be much more user-friendly. As mentioned earlier, it automatically quits games once you’re finished playing and adjusts resolution and refresh rate on its own.
The streaming service is available for free; all you need to do is download the Razer PC Remote Play and Razer Nexus apps on your mobile device, along with the Razer Cortex app on your PC.
Launched at CES 2025, the beta iteration of Razer PC Remote Play was met with enthusiastic reception from users. The official release features a revamped interface on Razer Cortex PC, alongside enhanced compatibility with all mobile gaming controllers that work on iOS or Android, support for the AV1 video codec for better quality and reduced latency, and software updates that enhance the gaming experience, allowing for seamless PC gaming on the go. Gamers can now anticipate ultra-smooth, high-quality gameplay on smartphones and tablets — anywhere, anytime.
Key features include:
- Wide controller compatibility: Comprehensive support for Razer Kishi and all controllers compatible with iOS and Android for an unaltered, console-like mobile gaming experience powered by your gaming PC.
- Discover new ways to play on the iPad, with full support for keyboard, mouse, and trackpad.
- Access all your PC games via Razer Nexus: Explore, configure, and launch PC games directly from your mobile device. Effortlessly start your PC games, personalize your controls, record and share gameplay, and keep your controller updated—all through one application.
- Automatic optimization that maximizes your device’s display capabilities: Enjoy extremely clear, smooth visuals on your device. Razer PC Remote Play automatically optimizes for the highest resolution and refresh rate supported by the device, without confining gameplay to fixed aspect ratios.
- Engaging play with Razer Sensa HD Haptics: Experience realistic tactile feedback that matches in-game actions—from explosive gunfire to rumbling vehicle engines—when using Razer Kishi Ultra controllers with Android devices.
Mobile setup is straightforward and quick through a few simple steps:
- Download Razer Nexus and Razer PC Remote Play on your mobile device.
- Activate Remote Play in Razer Cortex on your PC.
- Log in with your Razer ID. Your PC and mobile device will link automatically.
- Connect your Razer Kishi or any compatible controller for iOS or Android to play games that support controllers.
- Stream your entire PC game library directly to your mobile device.
Razer PC Remote Play now supports:
- Steam, Epic Games, PC Game Pass, and more
- iOS 18 and Android 14+
- Windows 10 and 11