Play PS5 games on Steam Deck
No PlayStation game can be installed on a Steam Deck: SteamOS is a Linux operating system, and PS5 exclusives are not available for it. Valve's handheld, however, makes an excellent remote gaming client with its built-in controls and seven-inch screen.
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What the Deck has that a phone does not
The Steam Deck solves the problem with a phone: it has proper triggers, proper joysticks and a screen large enough to read a map. Because the game runs elsewhere, the device barely heats up and its battery life doubles compared with playing a game locally. Once the app is added to Steam as a non-Steam shortcut, it launches from Game mode like any other title in your library.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | SteamOS 3, in Desktop mode |
| Client | Moonlight, from Discover, or Chrome installed via Flatpak |
| Decoding | AMD hardware decoding, so the device stays within its thermal envelope |
| Controller | The Steam Deck's built-in controls, mapped as a standard controller |
| Screen | 7 inches, or a TV through the dock |
| Connection | 25 Mbit/s minimum, 40 comfortable |
Swipe the table to see all the columns.
What you lose along the way
Switching to Desktop mode is daunting at first, but you only have to do it once. The DualSense's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers do not carry over to the Deck's controls: this is a genuine loss in a game like Astro Bot, which is built around them. Finally, the Deck's Wi-Fi degrades noticeably when the device lies flat on a metal table.
The one-off installation
- Switch to Desktop mode: press the Steam button, then Power, then Switch to Desktop
- Open Discover and install Moonlight or Chrome
- Add the app to Steam as a non-Steam game
- Return to Game mode: it appears in the library, with the controls active
The game runs on a physical PlayStation 5 hosted in France and dedicated to you alone. You sign in to your PlayStation Network account and play your own titles: Ploud rents console time, never games. The millisecond breakdown is in cloud gaming latency, and the financial comparison is in rent or buy a PS5.
The Deck as the screen, the PlayStation 5 as the engine. Reserve your spot.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install PS5 games on a Steam Deck?
No. SteamOS is a Linux distribution, and PlayStation games are not released for it. The only option is to control a remote console.
Do you need to switch to Desktop mode?
Only once, to install the client and add it to Steam. After that, everything launches from the usual Game mode.
Do the DualSense adaptive triggers work?
No. The Steam Deck controls are recognised as a standard controller, without detailed haptic feedback or variable resistance.
Can the Steam Deck be connected to a TV?
Yes, using the dock or a USB-C adaptor. The dock's Ethernet connection is better than the built-in Wi-Fi.
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