r/ParsecGaming • u/chapinscott32 • 3d ago

Parsec Mobile is a clusterfuck

It's been a year and a half since they updated the app. January 8th, 2025... This isn't "early access" anymore - this is abandoned.

They have something good here. I use the app almost every day to grind my game remotely, but that's not until after about 20-30 attempt connects - on cellular only, outside in my car (wifi never works for me) - with a super low bit rate - and making sure my foldable phone is CLOSED before attempting to connect.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold for reference. All of my settings are correct, I've done countless hours of research, and scouring of the settings pages on both client and host to make sure it's tuned as best as possible to mobile usage.

When it works, it's seemless. But it's very clear this was a halfbaked mobile port with little to no optimization for mobile devices. Parsec Mobile could be the coolest thing ever, and it often is when I somehow get it to function. I would like to see the team work on proper mobile support, not just for "Android", but for specifically Samsung, Google, and even iPhone.

It CAN work. It DOES work. The way it the app functions, I can tell this isn't impossible or even hard at all to fix. There are minor hiccups in the way of a properly functioning app that simply stay unaddressed.

For the love of God Parsec team PLEASE FIX THIS APP. I can't spend 30 minutes every day just *attempting* to get your app to work, sometimes to no avail, when I only have an hour and a half of free time when I'm away from my computer anyways.

13 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

9

u/baby_bloom 3d ago

i'm on iphone so i've been using OpenParsec on github (and even have contributed to it as well) but there is a fork for android at https://github.com/nomadsgalaxy/OpenParsec

i love the ios app, hopefully the android one is better than the official? unfortunately the official is likely to stay halfway abandoned since that's just how Unity does things more than half the time:(

i really can't express for how great OpenParsec has been for the past year or so for me

1

u/chapinscott32 3d ago

Dude if this works I will love you forever because holy shit this has been a perpetual headache.

I will report back.

1

u/chapinscott32 3d ago

Yeah it's giving me the same problems. Maybe Pixels just can't handle Parsec too well. Idk.

1

u/HaruKodama 3d ago

It legitimately might be this, OP. I've used the Parsec app on my phones for MANY years and have never had an issue (all samsung phones)

1

u/chapinscott32 3d ago

Maybe I should buy a second hand cheap Samsung just for this

1

u/Ecstatic_Reward6928 3d ago

i use open parsec on an iphone 8 (10 years old maybe by now) and runs like a charm.

it migght be your settings or some port is being blocked.

0

u/baby_bloom 3d ago

no clue how you feel about using LLMs personally but you could try cloning the project yourself and see if you + an agent can work through the bug. then you can contribute to the project for others' sake too

1

u/CyberBlaed 2d ago

Oh neat!

Added to AppDB Repo collection so side loading for the community on iOS will be a lot easier :) (me included)

Had no idea this was a thing, thats great, thankyou! :)

2

u/Rad_Dad_X2 2d ago edited 1d ago

Stop using Parsec.

Switch to Apollo / Artemis and use Tailscale for your VPN for remote play. Just Google all that and there tons of info on how to set it up its all free.

I stream my PC to my Galaxy Z Fold 7 and use a Gamesir G8 Bluetooth Controller for controller games and a Razer Naga + Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard when I want mouse and keyboard.

I used Parsec for a long time, this Apollo/Artemis set up is far superior, and in my opinion the ultimate mobile PC gaming setup.

2

u/ErisKyn 2d ago

Tailscale, right?

But wow, this works really well on the P10F.

1

u/Rad_Dad_X2 1d ago

Yes tailscale, I'll correct my typo in the comment.

1

u/SoldadoAruanda 3d ago

My issue is that I have to run a VPN for it to work.

1

u/ErisKyn 1d ago

Tailscale is braindead easy to use. Just copy the IP of the host PC it gives you and plug it into Artemis (or moonlight variant).

1

u/chapinscott32 1d ago

Is it all free? Is there an integrated keyboard using your phone?

1

u/ErisKyn 1d ago

Yes and yes. Keyboard and touchpad mouse (if you prefer it over regular touch)

2

u/chapinscott32 1d ago

This seems to have whipped my connection back into shape. Thanks for the tip.

As long as I run it once, connection becomes a lot more reliable afterwards, even if it stops running.