The Steam Deck has garnered a tremendous amount of popularity, to the point where people are eagerly anticipating its successor, the Steam Deck 2. These portable handheld consoles, such as the Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally, are the ultimate choice for those who want to play AAA games on the go. And pairing them with an Xbox Game Pass subscription is a logical move, as it provides access to a vast catalog of thousands of games without the need to individually purchase them. If you’re wondering how to get Xbox Game Pass on your Steam Deck and enjoy the latest games at a fraction of their cost, we’ve got you covered.
QUICK ANSWER
To get Xbox Game Pass on your Steam Deck, you have two options: multi-booting Windows or installing the Microsoft Edge browser and customizing it to open Xbox Game Pass through Cloud Gaming.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
Can you play Xbox Game Pass games on the Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck, created by Valve, is associated with the Steam storefront and hosts a plethora of fantastic games. On the other hand, the Xbox Game Pass is a product offered by its competitor, Microsoft. Although Steam doesn’t offer a gaming subscription service, it’s natural to wonder if Xbox Game Pass works on the Steam Deck.
The short answer is yes, it does. However, the process is quite complex. There are two methods to play Xbox Game Pass games on the Steam Deck.
The first method involves installing Windows on your Steam Deck alongside the Linux-based SteamOS through a dual-boot configuration. This can be challenging and may seem daunting to those who simply want to play games via their existing Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Fortunately, the second method is less convoluted and doesn’t require extensive tinkering. However, there’s a catch—you’ll be streaming the games from Microsoft’s servers using Xbox Cloud Gaming. By adding a Microsoft Edge shortcut to the Steam Library in desktop mode, you can enjoy Xbox Game Pass on your Steam Deck through Cloud Gaming. Microsoft themselves have provided this solution, so you won’t be interfering with any critical aspects of your device.
How to play Xbox Game Pass games using Xbox Cloud Gaming on your Steam Deck
Please note that the following instructions are intended for enthusiasts comfortable with making slight modifications to their Steam Deck. These instructions come directly from Microsoft and rely on Xbox Cloud Gaming. Keep in mind that you’ll be streaming the games from Microsoft’s servers rather than running them directly on your Steam Deck, so a stable internet connection is necessary for a smooth gaming experience, even for offline games.
Prerequisites:
It is recommended to attach an external mouse and keyboard to your Steam Deck. While you can use the touch keyboard (Steam button + X) along with the touch display and trackpad, having a hardware mouse and keyboard will significantly simplify the process.
Steps: How to install Microsoft Edge on your Steam Deck
The first step is to install Microsoft Edge on your handheld console. The process is straightforward:
1. Boot your Steam Deck.
2. Enter Desktop Mode by pressing the Steam button, bringing up the Steam Menu, and selecting Power > Switch to Desktop.
3. Click on the Discover Software Center icon located on the taskbar at the bottom of the display (resembling a shopping bag).
4. Within the app, navigate to Applications > Internet > Web Browsers.
5. Find Microsoft Edge in the list of apps and click on Install.
6. Close the Discover Software Center when the installation is complete.
Steps: Adding Microsoft Edge to Steam
Once Microsoft Edge is installed, you need to add it to Steam:
1. Return to Desktop on your Steam Deck.
2. Click on the icon of the Application Launcher.
3. Select Internet, right-click on Microsoft Edge, and choose Add to Steam.
4. In the Add a Game window, locate Microsoft Edge, tick the checkbox next to it, and select Add Selected Programs.
Steps: Give Microsoft Edge access to your Steam Deck controls
After adding Edge to Steam, you must grant it access to your Steam Deck controls. This is where a hardware keyboard comes in handy. Follow these steps:
1. Return to Desktop on your Steam Deck.
2. Click on the icon of the Application Launcher.
3. Navigate to System > Konsole. This will open a terminal window.
4. Enter the following command into Konsole: Copy Textflatpak –user override –filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge
5. Press Enter on your keyboard.
6. Exit Konsole by typing ‘exit’ and pressing Enter on your keyboard.
7. You can now plug in a controller or use the preset layouts within Microsoft Edge on your Steam Deck.
Steps: Changing Microsoft Edge launch properties to open Xbox Game Pass
Next, you need to modify how the installed Microsoft Edge browser behaves after launching. You want it to open the Xbox Game Pass website.
1. Open Steam by clicking on the Steam icon on your desktop.
2. Go to the Library tab.
3. Locate Microsoft Edge in the list.
4. Right-click on it and select Properties.
5. In the Launch Options, add the following right after “@@u @@” (which is already present): Copy Text–window-size=1024,640 –force-device-scale-factor=1.25 –device-scale-factor=1.25 –kiosk “https://www.xbox.com/play”
Note that there should be a space between @@ and –window-size.
Optional: You can change the controller layout:
1. Right-click on Microsoft Edge in the Steam Library.
2. Select Manage > Controller layout > Browse configs and choose your preferred layout.
3. Click on Apply configuration and then Done.
Optional: You can also change the app’s name to Xbox Cloud Gaming.
And there you have it! You can now switch back to Gaming mode using the icon on the desktop, select Microsoft Edge in the Steam Library, log in with your Microsoft account, and enjoy your game catalog on Xbox Game Pass.
Denial of responsibility! SamacharCentrl is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
