DroidDeck: Steam on Android, Requirements and How to Install
DroidDeck is a free, open-source (GPL-3.0) Android app that brings the SteamOS experience to phones and handhelds: it runs Valve's own ARM64 Linux Steam client in Big Picture mode and launches Windows games through Valve's ARM64 Proton with FEX. You need Android 9 or newer and a Qualcomm Adreno 730 or newer GPU (or Adreno 8xx), about 3 GB free, and no root. The latest version is 0.4.0 (October 12, 2026). The only official download is the Releases page of github.com/Droid-Deck/DroidDeck: the project says it has no stand-alone website, so don't download it from sites claiming to be the DroidDeck team. Unlike Steam Link, which streams from your PC, DroidDeck runs the games on the device itself.
What DroidDeck is
| DroidDeck | |
|---|---|
| What it does | Runs Valve's native ARM64 Steam client in Big Picture on Android; Windows games run through Valve's ARM64 Proton and FEX (x86 translation), DXVK/VKD3D-Proton to Vulkan |
| Price / licence | Free, open source, GPL-3.0 |
| Official download | GitHub Releases of Droid-Deck/DroidDeck (no stand-alone website) |
| Latest version | 0.4.0, released October 12, 2026 |
| Root needed | No |
| Affiliation | Not affiliated with Valve. Steam and Proton belong to Valve. |
Will it run on my device?
The README sets the rules:
| GPU | Status |
|---|---|
| Adreno 730 or newer, Adreno 8xx | Supported |
| Adreno 6xx | Experimental: DirectX 11 games use DXVK 2 and may run; DirectX 12 games can crash |
| Adreno 710, Mali, Xclipse (Samsung Exynos), PowerVR | Unsupported |
Common chips with a supported GPU (GPU names from Qualcomm's spec tables):
| Snapdragon chip | Adreno GPU |
|---|---|
| 8 Gen 1 / 8+ Gen 1 | 730 |
| 8 Gen 2 | 740 |
| 8s Gen 3 | 735 |
| 8 Gen 3 | 750 |
| 8 Elite | 830 |
| 8 Elite Gen 5 | 840 |
Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 uses an Adreno 725, which is below the 730 line in the README, so treat it as untested. Google Pixel (Tensor, Mali GPU) and Exynos Galaxy phones are not supported. You also need Android 9+, about 3 GB for the runtime and 1.1 GB more if you add the desktop and emulators.
How to install DroidDeck
- Open github.com/Droid-Deck/DroidDeck → Releases and download DroidDeck-0.4.0.apk (the plain file, about 47 MB). You can check it against SHA256SUMS.txt in the same release.
- Install the APK (allow installs from your browser or file manager when Android asks).
- In Developer options, turn off Restrict child processes. If your phone doesn't have that option (some Android 12 and 13 devices), Steam's first launch shows a "Fix it for me" button that sets it up.
- Open DroidDeck, install the Linux runtime, press Play and sign in to Steam. The Steam client downloads from Valve on first launch.
- Optional: install Desktop & apps for the KDE Plasma desktop and emulators, turn on the Flathub Store for ARM64 Linux apps, or add GOG, Epic Games and Amazon Games under Setup › Stores.
After one sign-in you can start Steam offline.
Which APK should I download?
Each release has four APKs. They're the same app with a different Android package name, because some phones only unlock their performance modes for apps with certain names:
| File | Package name | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
DroidDeck-0.4.0.apk |
com.droiddeck.launcher | Default — start here |
-pubg |
com.tencent.ig | Your phone boosts PUBG Mobile but not other apps |
-antutu |
com.antutu.benchmark.full | Your phone boosts the AnTuTu benchmark |
-ludashi |
com.ludashi.benchmark | Your phone boosts the Ludashi benchmark |
Each variant installs as a separate app with its own data. A variant can't be installed next to the real app that uses the same package name (for example, the -pubg build if PUBG Mobile is installed).
What's new in 0.4.0 (October 12, 2026)
- SteamOS-style KDE Plasma 6.7 desktop (Dolphin, Firefox, Konsole, the Steam desktop client) with Return to Gaming Mode, replacing LXQt.
- GOG, Epic Games and Amazon Games sign-in, libraries and downloads, launched through Steam; cloud saves for GOG and Epic.
- Steam's touch controller (beta) with per-game layouts and community configs synced to Steam Cloud.
- Up to 4 controllers for local co-op, 2025 Steam Controller over Bluetooth LE, and built-in controls that can emulate a Steam Deck, Steam Controller, Xbox 360, DualShock 4 or DualSense.
- Per-game compatibility profiles (Proton, FEX, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton, Windows components) and DroidDeck-Proton alongside GE-Proton and CachyOS Proton.
- Foldables: Steam and games resize when you fold, unfold or rotate.
DroidDeck vs Steam Link
| DroidDeck | Steam Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Where games run | On the phone/handheld itself | On your PC; video is streamed to the phone |
| Needs a gaming PC | No | Yes |
| Works offline | Yes, after one Steam sign-in | No, needs your PC on the network |
| Game compatibility | Varies by game and device (ARM64 Proton + translation) | Anything your PC runs |
| Made by | Open-source community project | Valve |
Known limits
- Compatibility and performance vary by device, and hardware testing is limited.
- The desktop uses software rendering; Firefox runs with reduced sandboxing under proot.
- Heavy or new DirectX 12 games may not run, especially on Adreno 6xx.
- For bugs, use Share logs in Setup and post the zip in the project's official Discord #bug-reports forum.
Frequently asked questions
What is DroidDeck?
A free, open-source Android app that runs Valve's ARM64 Steam client in Big Picture and plays Windows games through ARM64 Proton, without root.
Where do I download DroidDeck?
Only from the Releases page of github.com/Droid-Deck/DroidDeck. The project says it has no stand-alone website, so ignore download links on other sites.
Is DroidDeck free?
Yes. It's open source under GPL-3.0. You still need to own the Steam games you play.
Which phones work with DroidDeck?
Android 9+ devices with an Adreno 730 or newer GPU (or Adreno 8xx), such as Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3 and 8 Elite. Adreno 6xx is experimental; Mali, Exynos Xclipse, PowerVR and Adreno 710 are unsupported.
Does DroidDeck need root?
No. It runs in user space through proot.
Is DroidDeck the same as Steam Link?
No. Steam Link streams games from your PC. DroidDeck runs Steam and the games on the Android device itself.
Steam won't start in DroidDeck — what should I check?
Turn off Restrict child processes in Developer options. If your phone lacks that option, use the Fix it for me button on Steam's first launch.
What is the latest DroidDeck version?
0.4.0, released October 12, 2026, which added a KDE Plasma desktop, GOG/Epic/Amazon stores and Steam touch controls.
Is DroidDeck made by Valve?
No. It's an independent open-source project; Steam and Proton are Valve's.