Can You Remote Play Together from Steam Deck? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely can Remote Play Together from a Steam Deck. This capability opens up a world of gaming possibilities, allowing you to enjoy local multiplayer games with friends even when you’re not physically together. The Steam Deck, with its portable nature, becomes a powerful hub for shared gaming experiences, extending your PC library far beyond the confines of your home setup. This article will delve deep into how Remote Play Together works with the Steam Deck and answer 15 frequently asked questions to give you a complete understanding.
How to Enable Remote Play Together on Steam Deck
To get started, both your main PC and your Steam Deck need to have Remote Play enabled. Here’s how to set it up:
Setting Up on Your Main Computer:
- Open the Steam client on your main computer.
- Click “Steam” in the top-left corner.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select the “Remote Play” tab.
- Toggle “Enable Remote Play” on.
Setting Up on Your Steam Deck:
- Power on your Steam Deck.
- Press the Steam Button.
- Navigate to and select “Remote Play.”
- Toggle “Enable Remote Play” on.
By enabling Remote Play on both devices, they can communicate with each other, allowing you to stream games from your PC to the Steam Deck or vice-versa for another player to join.
How Remote Play Together Works
Remote Play Together allows you to invite your Steam Friends to join your local co-op games remotely. Only the host needs to own and have the game installed. Additional players connect through Steam Remote Play streaming technology. Think of it as creating a virtual couch co-op experience. The host’s PC runs the game, while other players’ inputs are streamed over the internet.
When a friend joins via the Steam Chat mobile app or the Steam client on another device, they are essentially seeing a video stream of the host’s game and sending their controller inputs back. This means you can enjoy a wide variety of local multiplayer games with friends who might be anywhere in the world.
Steam Deck as a Versatile Remote Play Device
The beauty of the Steam Deck is that it can act as either the host or the guest in a Remote Play Together session. You could stream games from your PC to your Steam Deck, using its portable nature to play your library anywhere within range of your Wi-Fi. Furthermore, your friends can use their own devices to join your game session that is being hosted on your main PC, which the Steam Deck could be connected to, in some cases.
This functionality transforms the Steam Deck into more than just a handheld console, it becomes a window into your entire gaming library, whether it’s running natively on the Steam Deck or remotely streamed from another system.
15 Frequently Asked Questions about Steam Deck Remote Play Together
Here are 15 FAQs to clarify any confusion and address common concerns about using Remote Play Together on the Steam Deck:
1. Can I play multiplayer games on Steam Deck using Remote Play Together?
Yes, you can! Remote Play Together allows you to play local multiplayer games with friends remotely through your Steam Deck and any other compatible device. The host runs the game on their PC, and friends can join via streaming.
2. Do both players need to own the game for Remote Play Together?
No, only the host needs to own and have the game installed. Guests connect via Steam Remote Play streaming technology.
3. What devices support Remote Play Together?
You can stream games on a variety of devices, including iOS devices, Apple TV, Android devices, Android TV, and more. You can use a Steam Deck or any other PC, tablet, or phone with the Steam Link app.
4. Is an internet connection required for Steam Remote Play Together?
Yes, a stable internet connection is crucial for both the host and the guests. The quality of your connection will directly impact the smoothness and lag of the game.
5. Do I need the Steam Link app for Remote Play Together?
While not strictly required, the Steam Link app is highly recommended for the best experience, especially on devices that aren’t PCs. For the host PC, the Steam client is used.
6. How many players can join a Remote Play Together session?
Up to four players, or even more with fast connections, can join a single Remote Play Together session.
7. Can two people play on the same Steam Deck?
While you can’t use the Steam Deck’s screen to play split-screen or local co-op games with someone else using the device itself, multiple users can log in and swap users on the Steam Deck, accessing their own Steam games and settings. However, Remote Play Together lets a second player join via their own device.
8. How does Remote Play Together differ from Family Sharing?
Family Sharing requires the other person to not own the game, and grants them access to your entire library while you’re not playing it. Remote Play Together, only requires the host to own the game, allowing multiple people to play together remotely on different devices.
9. Is Steam Remote Play laggy?
It can be, particularly if your internet connection is not stable or if your hardware isn’t up to the task. While it’s usually fine for many games, fast-paced games may experience noticeable input lag or stutters. Keep in mind that Remote Play technology has been improved over time and continues to be improved by Valve.
10. What if my Remote Play Together isn’t connecting?
Ensure Remote Play is enabled on both your host and guest devices. Check your firewall settings and make sure that Steam and the Steam Link app aren’t being blocked. Additionally, you can also check your IPv4 settings on your network. Also, it sometimes helps to unpair your devices.
11. Can I use controllers for Remote Play Together?
Yes, you can use a wide variety of Bluetooth controllers, including the Steam Controller and many other popular options. You can also often use touch controls if you’re playing on a device with a touchscreen.
12. Can I use Remote Play Together away from my home network?
Yes, as long as both the host and the guests have an internet connection, you can use Remote Play Together from anywhere in the world.
13. Can I stream PS5 games to my Steam Deck using Remote Play?
Yes, while Steam doesn’t natively support PlayStation remote play, programs like Chiaki4Deck can facilitate it, allowing you to stream PS5 games to your Steam Deck.
14. Can I play Xbox games on my Steam Deck with Remote Play?
Yes, you can use Xbox Remote Play to mirror your Xbox console to your Steam Deck. You’ll need the Xbox Remote Play app. This differs from Xbox Cloud Streaming, which streams games from the cloud.
15. Is the Steam Deck worth it for Remote Play Together?
The Steam Deck provides a convenient portable option for enjoying games with friends via Remote Play Together. If you value its portability, the Steam Deck can become a versatile device for both gaming at home or on the go.
Conclusion
The Steam Deck is an excellent device for Remote Play Together, enabling a shared gaming experience regardless of location. With the ability to act as both host and guest, the Steam Deck opens a wealth of gaming possibilities, making it a worthwhile investment for any gamer looking to extend their multiplayer experiences. Understanding how to enable and effectively use Remote Play Together can elevate your gaming sessions, ensuring you stay connected and have fun with friends, wherever you are.