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Documentation

Everything you need to set up and get the most out of Bavua.

Quick Start

1

Download Bavua

Install Bavua on your primary computer (the one you want to extend). Available for macOS 12+, Windows 10/11, and Linux.

Go
2

Install on a second device

Install Bavua on the device you want to use as an additional display — iPad, Android tablet, phone, another computer, or a Smart TV.

Go
3

Connect

Open Bavua on both devices while on the same Wi-Fi network. They'll discover each other automatically. Tap to connect.

Platform Guides

macOS Setup

Screen capture permissions, ScreenCaptureKit configuration, and Sidecar migration.

  1. 1.Grant Screen Recording permission in System Settings → Privacy & Security
  2. 2.Bavua appears in the menu bar — click to start hosting
  3. 3.Choose between full screen or individual app capture
  4. 4.Connect clients from any device on your network

Windows Setup

Windows.Graphics.Capture setup, GPU encoding, and display configuration.

  1. 1.Run the installer — no admin rights required for portable mode
  2. 2.Allow through Windows Firewall when prompted
  3. 3.Bavua auto-detects your GPU for hardware encoding
  4. 4.Use Win+K shortcut for quick device connection

iPad / iPhone

iOS client setup, Apple Pencil configuration, and Broadcast Extension.

  1. 1.Install from the App Store (or TestFlight for beta)
  2. 2.Grant Local Network permission when prompted
  3. 3.For hosting: enable Screen Broadcast in Settings → Bavua
  4. 4.Apple Pencil works automatically — pressure and tilt supported

Android

Material You theming, MediaProjection capture, and battery optimization.

  1. 1.Install from Google Play Store
  2. 2.Grant Screen Capture permission when hosting
  3. 3.Disable battery optimization for Bavua to maintain connections
  4. 4.S Pen and USI styluses work automatically

Display Modes

Mirror Mode

Shows your primary screen on the connected device. Perfect for presentations, demos, and sharing your screen with someone nearby.

All tiers

Extend Mode

Turns the connected device into an additional monitor. Drag windows across, use it as a reference display, or run different apps on each screen.

Pro & Ultra

App Capture

Stream a single application window instead of your entire screen. Great for privacy during presentations or focused pair programming.

Pro & Ultra

Connection Methods

Wi-Fi (Local)

Same network, auto-discovery via mDNS

All tiers

USB Tethering

Zero-latency wired connection

Pro & Ultra

Wi-Fi Direct

No router needed, device-to-device

Pro & Ultra

Cross-Network

Relay through Bavua servers globally

Ultra only

Security & Privacy

Bavua uses a zero-knowledge architecture. Your screen content is encrypted end-to-end with AES-256 and never passes through our servers. Connections use DTLS 1.3 with perfect forward secrecy.

Key exchange uses X25519 Diffie-Hellman, ensuring that even if a session key is compromised, past sessions remain secure. All transport is over QUIC with built-in encryption.

Bavua is SOC 2 Type II certified and compliant with GDPR, POPIA, and CCPA. Read our Privacy Policy and Security page for details.

Troubleshooting

Devices can't find each other

Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID and subnet). Some enterprise networks isolate devices — try a personal hotspot to test. Also check that no firewall is blocking mDNS (port 5353) or Bavua's streaming ports (8443-8445).

High latency or stuttering

Switch to 5GHz Wi-Fi if available. Close bandwidth-heavy applications. Try USB tethering for zero-latency connection. Check that hardware encoding is enabled in Settings (requires a supported GPU).

Screen capture permission denied (macOS)

Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording and toggle Bavua on. You may need to restart the app. If Bavua doesn't appear, drag it into the list.

Black screen on client

This usually means the host's encoder failed to start. Check that your GPU drivers are up to date. On Windows, ensure DirectX 11 or later is installed. Try toggling between hardware and software encoding in Settings.

Connection drops frequently

Enable session resumption in Settings (auto-reconnects within 60 seconds). Check your Wi-Fi signal strength. Consider using USB tethering for stability-critical work.

Still need help?

Contact Support

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Also available for macOS • Windows • Android • iOS / iPadOS

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