How to play Game Pass games on Steam Deck
How do you play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck? It’s a question we’ve all asked at some point, and while it isn’t as simple as just downloading the games from the Windows 10 PC store, there is a way to play these PC games on Valve’s handheld.
The article titled “How to play Xbox and PC Game Pass games on Steam Deck” from PC Game Spotlight provides a guide on how to play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck.
We all know how good the Game Pass library is, but most of these games aren’t available on one of the best handheld gaming consoles on the market. However, it is possible to play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck using streaming, and while it won’t be as seamless as native support, it’s a viable option for those that want to enjoy the Game Pass library on the handheld console.
There are several different ways to play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck
There are several different ways to play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck, but for the purposes of this guide, we’re going to focus on streaming, since it’s the most widely-accessible method.
To play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck using streaming, you might need to navigate through some complex steps. First, you need to understand what UWP (Universal Windows Platform) is, and why it’s so important in this instance.
Windows 10 introduced UWP, which essentially allows for seamless compatibility between different Windows devices. In this instance, this means that the Steam Deck can run Game Pass games that are streamed from a Windows device, and it doesn’t matter what type of Windows device it is.
There are a few ways to play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck using streaming:
While the first two methods may sound more appealing, we’re going to focus on the third one since it’s the most reliable way to stream Game Pass games to the Steam Deck.
If you’re familiar with the Xbox app, the steps for connecting the Steam Deck to your Windows device shouldn’t be too difficult. Firstly, download the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store, and then connect your Windows device to the same network as your handheld console.
Once your Windows device is on the same network as your Steam Deck, the handheld console should automatically detect your computer. However, you might need to give your handheld console permission to access your network.
From here, you need to make sure that your Windows device and Steam Deck are both connected to the internet. Next, open the Xbox app on your Windows device and sign in with your Game Pass account. Once the Xbox app is set up, you can launch your desired Game Pass game and start streaming it to the Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck acts as a remote display for the game being streamed from your Windows device, so you can play the game using the handheld console’s controls. It’s a bit more complicated than simply downloading the game to the handheld, but streaming Game Pass games to the Steam Deck is still a viable option.
The author of the article does mention that while this method allows for playing Game Pass games on the Steam Deck, it may not be as seamless as native support. Potential input lag and dependency on a stable internet connection could affect the gaming experience, but it’s still a good way to play these games on Valve’s handheld.
In any case, the author of the article emphasizes the importance of following the steps carefully in order to ensure a successful streaming experience on the Steam Deck.
