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If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy your favorite Steam games on the go using just your Android phone, you're in luck. While you still need a PC as the game host, you can play Steam games on your Android device by streaming them. The Steam Link app makes this possible. This guide walks you through the steps to make it work smoothly
Hardware Requirements
Before getting started, make sure you meet these requirements:
A host computer with Windows 7 or later, macOS Yosemite or newer, SteamOS, or Linux Ubuntu 12.04+. It should have at least a dual-core CPU with hyper-threading and 8GB RAM.
Stable internet connection, preferably on a 5GHz Wi-Fi network with at least 15Mbps speed.
A compatible controller (Bluetooth controller, or you can use your device’s touchscreen or connect a mouse and keyboard).
An Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0 or above.
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Step 1: Enable Streaming in Steam
Start by configuring Steam on your PC.
Open Steam on your computer. Go to Steam > Settings.
Navigate to In-Home Streaming (or Remote Play in newer versions), then check Enable streaming.
Under Advanced Host Options, enable “Use NVFBC capture” (for NVIDIA GPU users), and optionally enable “Prioritize network traffic.”
You can also customize visual and performance settings in the Advanced Client Options area.
Step 2: Stream Steam Games via Steam Link
Download and install the Steam Link app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
Open the app and tap Get Started.
Pair your preferred controller or skip if you're using touch controls.
Your host PC should appear automatically. If not, ensure both devices are on the same network and try Rescan.
Tap your PC name. A PIN will appear — enter this code on your computer’s Steam window.
After pairing, Steam Link will run a network test. Once complete, tap OK.
Tap Start Playing. Your PC will enter Big Picture Mode, and your Android device becomes the controller.
From your Library, choose any installed game to begin playing.
Bonus: How to Play PC Games (Not Just Steam) on Android Without a PC Nearby
Steam Link is great — but it only works with Steam. If you want to play any PC game or access your full desktop remotely, you can use Deskin, a powerful remote desktop app available for both Android and iOS.
With Deskin, you can access and control your computer from anywhere, allowing you to run PC games or complete other tasks as if you're physically in front of it. It supports gestures, virtual mouse and keyboard, and adjustable image quality depending on your network.
Step 1: Set Up Deskin on Your PC
Download and install Deskin on your Windows computer.
Open Deskin and create an account. Log in after registering.
Once logged in, your device will be listed and ready for remote access.
Step 2: Connect From Your Android Phone
Install Deskin for Android from the Play Store (also available for iOS).
Log in using the same account you used on the computer.
From the Devices list tab, tap on your computer’s name.
Choose One-click connect to initiate a secure, unattended connection.
Once connected, you can run any PC application or game — including Steam games — directly from your Android device.
Optional: Enhance the Experience
DeskIn also offers a High Quality Display Mode (available via upgrade), giving you sharper visuals, better performance, and the ability to customize your game keyboard layout for a smoother gaming experience on the go.
Final Thoughts
While you can’t natively run Steam games on Android without a PC, using tools like Steam Link or Deskin allows you to remotely enjoy PC gaming on your mobile device. Steam Link is ideal for users within the same local network, while Deskin is the perfect solution for playing or accessing your PC from anywhere — offering broader functionality and flexibility.
If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy your favorite Steam games on the go using just your Android phone, you're in luck. While you still need a PC as the game host, you can play Steam games on your Android device by streaming them. The Steam Link app makes this possible. This guide walks you through the steps to make it work smoothly
Hardware Requirements
Before getting started, make sure you meet these requirements:
A host computer with Windows 7 or later, macOS Yosemite or newer, SteamOS, or Linux Ubuntu 12.04+. It should have at least a dual-core CPU with hyper-threading and 8GB RAM.
Stable internet connection, preferably on a 5GHz Wi-Fi network with at least 15Mbps speed.
A compatible controller (Bluetooth controller, or you can use your device’s touchscreen or connect a mouse and keyboard).
An Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0 or above.
👉 You may also like:
Step 1: Enable Streaming in Steam
Start by configuring Steam on your PC.
Open Steam on your computer. Go to Steam > Settings.
Navigate to In-Home Streaming (or Remote Play in newer versions), then check Enable streaming.
Under Advanced Host Options, enable “Use NVFBC capture” (for NVIDIA GPU users), and optionally enable “Prioritize network traffic.”
You can also customize visual and performance settings in the Advanced Client Options area.
Step 2: Stream Steam Games via Steam Link
Download and install the Steam Link app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
Open the app and tap Get Started.
Pair your preferred controller or skip if you're using touch controls.
Your host PC should appear automatically. If not, ensure both devices are on the same network and try Rescan.
Tap your PC name. A PIN will appear — enter this code on your computer’s Steam window.
After pairing, Steam Link will run a network test. Once complete, tap OK.
Tap Start Playing. Your PC will enter Big Picture Mode, and your Android device becomes the controller.
From your Library, choose any installed game to begin playing.
Bonus: How to Play PC Games (Not Just Steam) on Android Without a PC Nearby
Steam Link is great — but it only works with Steam. If you want to play any PC game or access your full desktop remotely, you can use Deskin, a powerful remote desktop app available for both Android and iOS.
With Deskin, you can access and control your computer from anywhere, allowing you to run PC games or complete other tasks as if you're physically in front of it. It supports gestures, virtual mouse and keyboard, and adjustable image quality depending on your network.
Step 1: Set Up Deskin on Your PC
Download and install Deskin on your Windows computer.
Open Deskin and create an account. Log in after registering.
Once logged in, your device will be listed and ready for remote access.
Step 2: Connect From Your Android Phone
Install Deskin for Android from the Play Store (also available for iOS).
Log in using the same account you used on the computer.
From the Devices list tab, tap on your computer’s name.
Choose One-click connect to initiate a secure, unattended connection.
Once connected, you can run any PC application or game — including Steam games — directly from your Android device.
Optional: Enhance the Experience
DeskIn also offers a High Quality Display Mode (available via upgrade), giving you sharper visuals, better performance, and the ability to customize your game keyboard layout for a smoother gaming experience on the go.
Final Thoughts
While you can’t natively run Steam games on Android without a PC, using tools like Steam Link or Deskin allows you to remotely enjoy PC gaming on your mobile device. Steam Link is ideal for users within the same local network, while Deskin is the perfect solution for playing or accessing your PC from anywhere — offering broader functionality and flexibility.
