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You can make your phone work like a handheld for many Steam games by attaching a compatible mobile controller and streaming from a PC with Steam Link. The phone supplies the screen and controls; the PC still runs the game, so this is a streaming setup—not a conversion that gives your phone the Steam Deck’s local gaming hardware.
What you need—and what the setup does
The basic arrangement has four parts: a compatible phone, a phone-mounted gaming controller, the Steam Link app, and a PC that can run your Steam games. Steam Link sends the PC’s game video to your phone and returns your controller inputs to the PC. The host computer must be powered on, with Steam launched and signed in; it is not replaced by the phone.
That distinction matters in practice. A Steam Deck is a handheld gaming computer with its own battery and local storage, while a phone using Steam Link depends on the host PC and a working network connection. Backbone explains the difference in its Steam Link setup guide.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsChoose a controller that fits your phone
Before buying a controller, check the phone’s connector and physical dimensions, along with the controller’s supported-device list. Phone-mounted controllers can use different connector variants, including USB-C and Lightning. Also check whether your phone case must be removed for a secure fit and whether the controller has passthrough charging if you want to charge while playing.
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- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Examples mentioned in manufacturer setup guidance include Backbone One and Razer Kishi V2. Razer describes Kishi V2 variants for different connectors and passthrough charging, but fit and compatibility depend on the specific phone and controller model. Consult the current manufacturer product information, such as Razer’s Kishi V2 page, rather than assuming every phone or case will fit.
Set up Steam Link at home
- Prepare the host PC. Turn it on, launch Steam, and sign in. Keep it powered on while you play.
- Install Steam Link on the phone. Use the official support instructions for your platform: Steam Support’s Android setup page or Steam Support’s Apple setup page.
- Pair the phone with the host. Follow Steam Link’s on-screen pairing process. Steam’s Android instructions call for the phone and host PC to share a network during setup.
- Attach the controller and start streaming. Connect the phone to the controller, select the paired PC in Steam Link, and launch a game from the streamed Steam interface.
- Start with a controller-friendly game. Controller support and usability vary by game. A title designed around keyboard and mouse may be awkward on a phone-mounted controller, even if the stream itself works.
Play outside your home
Remote play can work over Wi-Fi or cellular when the connection is stable, but the host PC still needs to be on and Steam must remain available. Try the setup on the actual network and device you plan to use; a connection that works well at home may not behave the same way on cellular or another Wi-Fi network.
There is no universal bandwidth or latency threshold established by the cited setup pages that guarantees a good experience on every phone, PC, and network. If the stream stutters or controls feel delayed, first compare performance on a shared home network, then check the remote connection and host availability separately.
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Steam Link or another PC-streaming route?
For a Steam library, Steam Link is the direct starting point and has separate Android and Apple setup guidance. Steam Support’s Android page also lists Razer Kishi among supported controllers. If you want to stream games from other PC libraries as well, Razer PC Remote Play is another documented route: its announcement describes streaming from a Windows PC to supported iOS and Android devices, including Steam games.
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- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
That alternative requires Razer’s supported software and Windows host configuration. Its app and operating-system requirements can change, so check the current Razer PC Remote Play announcement and setup details before relying on it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
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- 512 GB NVMe SSD: Fast storage for quicker game load times and space for larger game libraries.
- OLED Display: 1200x800 resolution with deep contrasts and vibrant colors for a captivating visual experience.
- Custom AMD APU: Power-efficient Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop-level gaming performance.
- Expandable Storage: Add more space with a microSD card slot, ensuring you can bring even more games with you.
- Versatile Controls: With built-in thumbsticks, trackpads, and touchscreen controls, you have full control over your gaming experience.
What this setup cannot promise
- It does not turn the phone into a standalone Steam Deck or run the PC game locally on the phone.
- It does not make every PC game comfortable or practical to play with controller input.
- It does not guarantee a particular image quality, latency, or smoothness; those depend on the host, phone, game, and network.
- It does not remove the need to check phone-controller fit, connector type, and case compatibility for the exact devices you own.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
