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Not as Valve’s documented full Steam desktop client. Valve’s published Linux client requirements specify an x86_64/AMD64 system, and its Linux package repository lists amd64 and i386 packages—not ARM packages. A Raspberry Pi 3 or newer can run Valve’s Steam Link app, but it streams games from another computer running Steam; it does not run the full Steam client or games locally.
Steam desktop client and Steam Link are different
The Steam desktop client is the software that runs on the computer hosting your Steam library and games. Valve’s published Linux client requirements specify a 64-bit x86_64/AMD64 kernel and processor. Its Linux package repository gives installation instructions for amd64 and i386 packages. Those documented requirements do not provide a native ARM installation path.
Steam Link serves a different purpose: it receives a video and audio stream from a separate computer that is running Steam, and sends your input back to that host. The host runs the game; the Pi is the streaming endpoint. Valve’s official pages establish this supported Raspberry Pi route, but they do not establish whether an experimental or beta ARM64 desktop client is currently available. Treat unofficial reports or workarounds as separate, potentially unsupported projects rather than a documented installation method.
What works on a Raspberry Pi
Valve documents Steam Link for Raspberry Pi 3 or newer. Its Steam apps page lists Raspberry Pi 3, 4, and 5; the dedicated support page says Pi 3 or newer. The app uses Steam Link streaming technology, so you need another computer with Steam running and a game available on that host.
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Streaming quality and whether a particular game is playable depend on the host computer, the local network, and the game. Valve does not publish a Pi-specific performance guarantee in its support instructions.
Install Steam Link on the Pi
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Start the computer that will host the games, open Steam, and sign in.
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Connect the Pi and host computer to the same local network. Valve recommends a wired network for the Pi; 5 GHz wireless may work but is not recommended on the Pi.
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On the Pi, open a terminal and run:
sudo apt update sudo apt install steamlink -
Launch Steam Link from the Games menu, or enter
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Follow the app’s connection prompts to pair it with the computer running Steam, then use a supported input device.
Choose the right setup for your goal
| Your goal | Supported route | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Run the full Steam desktop client on ARM Linux | Valve’s documented Linux client requirements specify x86_64/AMD64; its repository packages are amd64 and i386. | No native ARM installation path is documented in these official client sources. Unofficial emulation or experimental builds are not the same as Valve’s documented supported route. |
| Play Steam games through a Raspberry Pi | Install Steam Link on a Pi 3 or newer and connect to a separate computer running Steam. | The computer runs Steam and the game; the Pi streams the session over the local network. |
Input, network, and Linux support notes
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Valve lists wired controllers, DualShock 4, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, keyboard, and mouse as supported inputs for the Raspberry Pi Steam Link app. Do not assume an unlisted controller is officially supported.
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Prefer Ethernet where practical. Valve says 5 GHz wireless may work, but does not recommend it on the Pi.
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Valve’s Linux troubleshooting guidance says Steam for Linux is currently supported on the most recent Ubuntu LTS with Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktops, and identifies 32-bit OpenGL drivers as a common troubleshooting issue. This Linux desktop guidance does not change the client’s x86_64/AMD64 processor requirement.
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