Direct Link

Direct Link joins two MustardOS devices with a cable so they can play together without a Wi-Fi network. Pickles netplay and Game Link see the other device as if both were on the same network, and Wi-Fi stays available for everything else.

Network Adapters A supported USB wired network adapter on each device, joined with a network cable.

USB-C Cable A single USB-C data cable between two supported devices, with nothing else needed.

How the USB-C cable works

One device powers the cable, and the other is powered and charged by it. Each device works out which end it is from the port the cable is plugged into, so nothing needs to be chosen by hand, and either device can host the game.

Some devices have two USB-C ports, a charging port and another port. These are all of the TrimUI devices and the Anbernic RG35XX H. Connect the charging port of one device to the other port of a device with two USB-C ports. The device with two ports powers the cable, and its own charging port stays free for a charger.

At least one of the two devices needs two USB-C ports. Two devices with only one USB-C port each cannot be joined with a cable.

Devices

Device	USB-C cable	Charging port	Other port
Anbernic RG28XX H	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG34XX H	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG34XX SP	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG35XX 2024	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG35XX H	Supported	DC	OTG
Anbernic RG35XX PLUS	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG35XX PRO	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG35XX SP	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG40XX H	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG40XX V	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RGCUBEXX	Supported	USB-C	None
Anbernic RG SP	Supported	USB-C	None
TrimUI Brick	Supported	Bottom	Top
TrimUI Brick Pro	Supported	Bottom	Top
TrimUI Smart Pro	Supported	Charging	Other
Anbernic RG Vita Pro	Not available	-	-
GKD Pixel 2	Not available	-	-
BatleXP G350	Not available	-	-

Devices marked Not available do not show the USB Cable setting, and can still use network adapters.

Examples

RG35XX H and Brick ProRG35XX H OTG to Brick Pro Bottom, or Brick Pro Top to RG35XX H DC.

Brick and BrickTop of one to Bottom of the other.

RG40XX H and BrickBrick Top to the RG40XX H USB-C port.

RG40XX H and RG35XX PLUSNot possible with a cable, as neither has a second USB-C port. Use network adapters.

Turning it on

Open Configuration > Connectivity > Direct Link on both devices.
Set USB Cable to Enabled on both.
Connect the cable as shown above.
Wait a few seconds for USB Cable and Status to show Connected.

Then open Pickles netplay or Game Link as usual. USB Function (ADB or MTP) is paused while USB Cable is enabled, and returns when it is disabled.

If it does not connect

No USB Cable settingThe device does not support the USB-C cable. Use network adapters instead.

Waiting For CableCheck the ports, that USB Cable is enabled on both devices, and that the cable carries data. Many charging-only cables do not.

Connects, then drops every few secondsThe device powering the cable is low on battery. Connect a charger to its charging port.

For tinkerers

Item	Detail
Setting	`/opt/muos/config/settings/network/usb_cable`, `0` or `1`
Service	`mulink`, the Direct Link service
Network interface	`usblink0`, with a private `169.254.x.x` address chosen automatically
USB identity	`1d6b:0110`, vendor interface class `ff`, subclass `4d`, protocol `4c`
Status file	`/run/muos/network/link`, where `cable=` is `off`, `waiting`, `device`, `host`, `failed` or `unsupported`