Steam Link lets an ARM device act as a client while a separate PC runs the Steam game. The PC must be on with Steam running; the client receives the game’s audio and video and sends your controls back over the network. Valve documents two straightforward ARM options: an Android device running Android 5.0 or newer, or a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer.
What you need before you start
- A host PC with Steam installed, running, and signed in.
- An Android phone, tablet, or TV running Android 5.0 or newer, or a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer.
- A network connection between the host and client. The same home network is the simplest setup.
- A controller or other input method supported by your chosen client.
Steam Link does not run the PC game on the ARM device. It streams the host PC’s picture and sound to the client and returns player input to the PC. See Valve’s Steam Link hardware overview.
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Choose an Android device or Raspberry Pi
| Route | Documented minimum | Installation | Network guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android phone, tablet, or TV | Android 5.0 or newer | Install Steam Link from Google Play, or use Valve’s alternate Android download if Google Play is unavailable. | Connect the client and host to the same network. Valve lists a 5 GHz-capable router among recommended equipment. |
| Raspberry Pi | Raspberry Pi 3 or newer | Install the Steam Link package using the commands below. | Valve recommends a wired connection for this route; 5 GHz wireless may work but is not recommended for Raspberry Pi. |
These are supported setup routes, not a performance ranking. Valve’s cited guidance does not provide comparative latency or image-quality benchmarks for Android versus Raspberry Pi. If you already have a compatible Android device, it avoids setting up a separate client; the Pi route is for readers who want to use a supported board.
Set up Steam Link on Android
- Turn on the host PC, open Steam, and sign in.
- Connect the Android device to the same network as the host PC.
- Install the Steam Link app from Google Play, or follow Valve’s alternate download instructions if you do not have Google Play access.
- Open Steam Link and follow its on-screen instructions to find and pair with the host PC.
- Connect or pair a supported controller, then start a game from the Steam Link interface.
Valve documents Android 5.0 or newer as the minimum and lists the Steam Controller, Xbox One S Controller, Sony DualShock 4 on Android 9.0 or newer, Razer Kishi, and Raiju Mobile among supported inputs. Other devices may work without official support; compatibility can vary by Android version, device, and connection method. Check Valve’s Android Steam Link page for the applicable list.
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Set up Steam Link on Raspberry Pi
On the Pi, open a terminal and install the package:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamlink- Start Steam on the host PC and sign in.
- Connect the Raspberry Pi to the same network as the host. Valve recommends Ethernet for this route.
- Launch Steam Link from the Games menu, or run
steamlinkin a terminal. - Follow the client setup prompts to connect to the host and configure input.
Valve documents the app for Raspberry Pi 3 or newer. Its input list includes several controller families as well as keyboard and mouse, but support may depend on wired, Bluetooth, or receiver connection details. Confirm the exact combination in Valve’s Raspberry Pi Steam Link page rather than assuming every controller works wirelessly.
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Start with the network
Valve recommends connecting the host PC directly to the router with Ethernet. When both host and client use Wi-Fi, their stream traffic can compete for wireless capacity. If the client must use Wi-Fi, Valve recommends 5 GHz rather than the often more congested 2.4 GHz band, and advises checking signal strength, distance, walls, channel interference, and other network traffic. For Raspberry Pi specifically, its support page says 5 GHz may work but is not recommended.
Also check for router firmware updates and make sure access-point or client isolation is not preventing devices from communicating. Firewalls must not block the Steam traffic needed for Remote Play. Public, workplace, school, guest, captive-portal, or isolated networks may prevent a connection. See Valve’s suggested network settings.
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Use the performance overlay to locate the problem
Enable Steam’s Remote Play performance overlay while streaming. Valve says large spikes in the cyan network-time line indicate highly variable network time and commonly occur with stutter or freezing. This can help distinguish a network problem from a host or client performance issue.
Lower resolution or test host encoding
If the network looks stable but the stream still performs poorly, reduce the streaming resolution or the game’s resolution. Valve’s display troubleshooting suggests 1280×720 as a useful starting point; it is a troubleshooting setting, not a promise of a particular frame rate or image quality. You can also test enabling or disabling host hardware encoding, since the better setting depends on the graphics card. Consult Valve’s Steam Link display guidance.
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Common questions while setting it up
Can I use my Android phone as a Steam Link?
Yes, if it runs Android 5.0 or newer and can connect to the Steam host. Install the Steam Link app and complete the pairing prompts; the phone is the streaming client, while the PC runs the game.
Can I use a Raspberry Pi?
Yes. Valve documents Steam Link for Raspberry Pi 3 or newer. Install the package with sudo apt update and sudo apt install steamlink, then launch the app from Games or with the steamlink command.
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They need to be able to communicate over the network; being on the same home network is the simplest arrangement. The host can use Ethernet, which Valve recommends, while the client connects by Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Isolation settings or restrictive networks can prevent discovery or streaming.
Why is my Steam Link stream stuttering?
Common causes include variable network time, weak Wi-Fi, interference, competing traffic, or host/client performance limits. Check the performance overlay first, then simplify the network path and try a lower resolution or a different host hardware-encoding setting.
Quick Recap
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