Wi-Fi Latency Spikes on iPad Pro M4 When Using Game Streaming Services
Device & Software Details:
- Device: iPad Pro M4 (1TB, Wi-Fi + Cellular)
- iPadOS Version: 18.3.2
Issue Summary:
When using game streaming services like Moonlight or Steam Link, there are intermittent latency spikes that cause stuttering, increased input lag, and degraded streaming performance.
Steps to Reproduce:
- Connect the iPad Pro M4 to a Wi-Fi network.
- Launch the Steam Link app and run a network test (or start a Moonlight streaming session).
- Observe latency fluctuations, causing performance degradation.
- Change the Wi-Fi channel on the router (e.g., from channel 36 to 44).
- The issue temporarily disappears but eventually returns.
What I Have Tried:
- Restarting the iPad Pro M4
- Factory resetting the device
- Resetting network settings
- Testing on different access points (APs)
- Testing with different routers (Wi-Fi 6 and 6E)
- Comparing with another Apple device (iPhone 15 Pro Max), which does not have this issue
Additional Notes:
- Other users have reported similar issues on GitHub: Moonlight iOS Issue #627.
- The Steam Link app's network test can be used to reproduce and measure latency inconsistencies.
- The issue is not dependent on a specific network setup, as users with different routers (Wi-Fi 6, 6E) have reported the same problem.
Expected Behavior:
- The Wi-Fi connection should remain stable, with consistent low latency during game streaming.
- Changing the Wi-Fi channel should not be required as a temporary fix.
This issue significantly impacts game streaming usability on the iPad Pro M4 and appears to be a Wi-Fi handling issue specific to this device.
iPad Pro, iPadOS 18
