Bandwidth, data usage, and stream quality

To get the most out of Stadia, you can check your network connection to verify its quality. If you're a Stadia Pro subscriber, you can also verify if HDR or 4K settings are enabled, and turn them off if they're using too much data.

Learn more below about internet connection and hardware requirements, as well as how to check your network connection and change your data usage options.

Bandwidth requirements

An internet connection speed of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater is the minimum recommended to use Stadia. A slower network speed can cause issues while you play games.

To play in up to 4K resolution, you'll need an active Stadia Pro subscription and a network speed of 35 Mbps or greater. Check below for hardware requirements.

Check your connection

Even if you've signed up for an internet plan of 10 Mbps or greater, we recommend that you test your connection on the device you'll use in the location where you want to play.

If your connection speed is slower than 10 Mbps or your home experiences an unstable internet connection, you may want to contact your internet service provider (ISP).

Gameplay on Stadia may use a significant amount of data. You are responsible for any access or data fees incurred from your Internet provider or mobile carrier. If you enable the Use mobile data option on your mobile device, it is strongly recommended that you track your data usage to avoid unexpected data charges.

Hardware requirements

If you have an active Stadia Pro subscription, a network speed of 35 Mbps or greater, and you've selected Up to 4K and HDR in your Performance options, but the 4K or HDR icons don't show up in your Connection menu, check below to make sure your hardware is compatible with these features.

Requirements for 4K

On a TV

• If you don't have an AV receiver or soundbar: A TV using Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or a 4K-compatible Android TV device.
• If you have an AV receiver or soundbar: An AV receiver or soundbar connected to Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or a 4K-compatible Android TV device, and your AV receiver or soundbar connected to your 4K TV with a high-speed HDMI cable.

On stadia.com

1. A Windows® computer, Mac® computer, or Chromebook that supports VP9 hardware decoding.
   • If you want to play in up to 4K on a Mac, make sure you have macOS® version 11 or greater and the latest version of Google Chrome. If you don't have an external display, you may need to go into your Mac's system settings to adjust your screen resolution to at least 1440p or 4K.
2. A 4K monitor connected to your computer.

VP9 hardware decoding

To check if your computer supports VP9 hardware decoding:

1. In your Google Chrome address bar, type chrome://gpu and press Enter.
2. Scroll down to "Video Acceleration Information".
3. Check for ""Decode vp9", which means your computer supports VP9 hardware decoding.

Requirements for HDR

On a TV:

• If you don't have an AV receiver or soundbar: A TV that supports the HDR10 standard with Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or an HDR-compatible Android TV device.
• If you have an AV receiver or soundbar: Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or HDR-compatible Android TV device connected to your AV receiver or soundbar, and your AV receiver or soundbar connected with a high-speed HDMI cable to a TV that supports the HDR10 standard.

Requirements for 5.1 surround sound

On a TV

• If you plug your Chromecast into your TV: A Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or Android TV device. You must connect your device to a TV that supports HDMI eARC, and the TV must be plugged into an AV receiver (connected to your 6-channel home speaker system) that also supports HDMI eARC.
• If you plug your Chromecast directly into your AV receiver: Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast with Google TV, or an Android TV device plugged into an AV receiver that is connected to a 6-channel home speaker system.
• If you use a Stadia app on your Smart TV: Plug your TV into a 5.1 surround sound AV receiver or soundbar through HDMI eARC.

On stadia.com

• Computer connected to a 6-channel speaker system.

 

Performance and data usage options

Performance options affect the visual and sound quality of your games, as well as how much data you use. You can choose your performance options on stadia.com, on a TV, or in the Stadia app .

Note: The performance settings you select will only take effect on the device you set them on. For example, if you change your settings on stadia.com, it won't affect your settings on a TV. You can also select different performance settings for different computers.

Resolution	Data usage
Up to 4K (Stadia Pro only)	Up to 20 GB/hr
Up to 1080p	Up to 12.6 GB/hr
Up to 720p	Up to 4.5 GB/hr

Change your data usage options

On a TV

1. Launch Stadia on your TV.
2. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button .
   • On Google TV or Android TV, you can also press the Home button on a connected Bluetooth® controller.
3. Select Options .
4. Under "Performance", select your data usage option.

On stadia.com

1. On your computer with Google Chrome, go to stadia.com.
2. In the top right, select your avatar Stadia settings.
3. Select Performance.
4. Select your data usage option.

In the Stadia app

1. On your mobile device, open the Stadia app .
2. In the top right, tap your avatar.
3. Tap Performance.
4. Select your data usage option.

Note: Performance settings will take effect on your device the next time you open a game.

Stadia Pro display and audio

With an active Stadia Pro subscription, 5.1 surround sound and up to 4K resolution are enabled by default to make your games look and sound even better. This means that Up to 4K settings are toggled on automatically for Stadia Pro subscribers who play on a 4K TV or on stadia.com.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) graphics and 5.1 surround sound are enabled by default when you play on devices (such as TVs or AV receivers) that support these features. These features are only available during gameplay. When enabled, the icons for each feature in use will be visible in the Stadia menu on your TV. Just press the Stadia button during gameplay and select Connection .

Note: On Google TV or Android TV, you can press the Home button on some Bluetooth controllers to access the Stadia menu.

Stadia Pro display and audio
	5.1 surround sound
	4K
	High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Note: 4K, HDR, and 5.1 surround sound require compatible hardware and network speeds.

Stream quality

Your connection status helps you understand the quality of the stream, based on internet connectivity and the data usage settings that you select. To go to your connection status, press the Stadia button on your Stadia Controller during gameplay and select Connection .

Note: On Google TV or Android TV, you can press the Home button on some Bluetooth controllers to access the Stadia menu.

The connection statuses you may encounter include:

Connection status	What it means
Excellent	Your internet connection is strong and games should run smoothly. Stadia Pro subscribers who play on a 4K TV or a computer capable of VP9 hardware decoding may experience up to 4K gameplay for supported games.
Fair	Your internet connection may have less than ideal bandwidth, or may be experiencing network congestion. You may or may not notice a slight drop in resolution or framerate. To improve your connection, refer to our troubleshooting steps.
Game might stop	Your internet connection may have low bandwidth or is experiencing significant network congestion. Gameplay is degraded and games may stop. To improve your connection, refer to our troubleshooting steps.
	You have enabled the Use mobile data option on your mobile device, and are using a cellular internet connection instead of a Wi-Fi connection. You can enable or disable this option in your Performance settings in the Stadia app . Gameplay on Stadia may use a significant amount of data. You are responsible for any access or data fees incurred from your Internet provider or mobile carrier. If you enable the Use mobile data option on your mobile device, it is strongly recommended that you track your data usage to avoid unexpected data charges.

Improve your connection quality

If you experience slow game responses, degraded visual quality, or disconnects, there may be a problem with network congestion, or your device may have difficulty with gameplay at higher resolutions. To help solve these issues, adjust your performance settings for each device you use.

Learn more about troubleshooting connection and stream quality issues.

Note: If a setting is unavailable, it means your device doesn't support it.

Turn off 4K

On a TV using Chromecast Ultra

1. Launch Stadia on your TV.
2. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button .
   • On Google TV or Android TV, you can also use your TV remote or a Bluetooth controller to select your avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Options .
4. Under "Performance", select Up to 1080p or Up to 720p.

On stadia.com

1. On your computer with Google Chrome, sign into your account at stadia.com.
2. In the top right, select your avatar Stadia settings.
3. Select Performance.
4. Under "Resolution", select Up to 1080p or Up to 720p.

Turn off High Dynamic Range (HDR)

On a TV

1. Launch Stadia on your TV.
2. On your Stadia Controller, press the Stadia button .
   • On Google TV or Android TV, you can also use your TV remote or a Bluetooth controller to select your avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Options .
4. Turn off High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Turn off mobile data usage

1. On your mobile device, open the Stadia app .
2. In the top right, tap your avatar.
3. Tap Performance.
4. Turn off Use mobile data.

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