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How to Stream Steam Games from a PC to an ARM Device with Steam Link

Steam Link streams games running on a PC to an Android phone, tablet, TV, or Raspberry Pi. Here’s how to set up either client and troubleshoot the connection.
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Steam Link lets an ARM device act as a streaming client while a separate PC runs Steam and the game. The documented options are an Android phone, tablet, or TV running Android 5.0 or newer, or a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer. Keep the PC on, connect both devices to the same home network, and use the client’s setup prompts to pair them.

How Steam Link works

The PC does the gaming work: it runs Steam and the game, then streams the picture and sound to the ARM device. The client sends your controller or keyboard input back to the PC. The ARM device is therefore a screen and input client, not a replacement for the gaming PC. See Valve’s Steam Link hardware overview.

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Choose an ARM client

Route Documented requirement Setup Network guidance
Android phone, tablet, or TV Android 5.0 or newer Install Steam Link from Google Play, or use Valve’s alternate download if Google Play is unavailable; follow the app’s pairing prompts. Connect to the same network as the PC. Valve lists a 5 GHz-capable router as recommended equipment.
Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi 3 or newer Install the package using the commands below, then launch Steam Link from Games or a terminal. Valve recommends a wired connection for this route; 5 GHz wireless may work, but is not recommended for Raspberry Pi.

These are setup options, not a performance ranking. Valve’s support pages do not provide comparative latency or image-quality benchmarks for ARM clients. An Android device you already own may avoid buying a separate client; the Pi route requires a supported board and package installation. Input-device support also differs by client.

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Set up Steam Link on Android

  1. On the PC, launch Steam and sign in. Leave the PC on while streaming.
  2. Connect the Android device to the same home network as the PC.
  3. Install the Steam Link app from Google Play, or use Valve’s alternate Android download if Google Play is not available.
  4. Open Steam Link and follow its on-screen instructions to find and pair with the PC.
  5. Connect a supported controller, or use another input method the app recognizes, then start a game from the Steam Link interface.

Valve documents support for Android 5.0 and newer on many Android phones, tablets, and TVs. Its listed controllers include the Steam Controller, Xbox One S Controller, DualShock 4 on Android 9.0 and newer, Razer Kishi, and Raiju Mobile. Other devices may work, but that list does not guarantee compatibility with every Android model, operating-system build, or connection method. Check Valve’s Android Steam Link app page for current details.

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Set up Steam Link on Raspberry Pi

  1. On a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer, open a terminal and install the app with Valve’s commands:
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install steamlink
  2. Launch Steam Link from the Games menu or run steamlink in a terminal.
  3. Start Steam on the host PC and connect the Pi to the same network.
  4. Follow Steam Link’s setup prompts to connect to the PC, then pair or connect an input device.

Valve recommends a wired network for the Pi; its support page says 5 GHz wireless may work but is not recommended on Raspberry Pi. The listed input options include a Steam Controller, selected Xbox controllers, DualShock 4, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, Razer controllers, SteelSeries Stratus Duo, keyboard, and mouse. Some controller entries depend on whether they connect by cable, Bluetooth, or a particular receiver, so check Valve’s Raspberry Pi Steam Link app page rather than assuming every device works wirelessly.

Set up the network for smoother play

For the best chance of a steady stream, connect the host PC to the router with Ethernet. When both host and client use Wi-Fi, their traffic can compete on the wireless network. If the client must be wireless, Valve favors 5 GHz over the more congested 2.4 GHz band. Reduce distance and obstacles between the client and access point, check for channel interference, and limit competing network traffic where possible. Valve says wired networking gives the best result when the client supports it.

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Steam’s Remote Play performance overlay can help distinguish network trouble from other causes. During a stream, large spikes in its cyan network-time line indicate highly variable network time and commonly coincide with stutter or freezing. Valve also recommends updating router firmware, avoiding access-point or client isolation, and ensuring a firewall is not blocking required Steam traffic. Public, workplace, school, guest, captive-portal, or otherwise isolated networks may prevent a connection. See Valve’s suggested network settings.

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Troubleshoot stuttering or a poor picture

  • Check the network first. Use the performance overlay and look for large cyan network-time spikes. Try wiring the PC to the router, moving closer to the access point, or switching a wireless client to 5 GHz.
  • Lower the resolution. If the network appears stable but the stream still struggles, reduce the streaming resolution or the game’s resolution. Valve identifies 1280×720 as a useful starting point for display troubleshooting; it is a suggested setting, not a guaranteed fix.
  • Test host hardware encoding. In Steam’s Remote Play settings, try enabling or disabling hardware encoding on the host PC. Valve notes that the better result depends on the graphics card, so treat this as a test rather than a universal optimization.
  • Check network restrictions. Confirm that the devices are on the same usable network and that client isolation, firewall rules, or a captive portal are not blocking Remote Play traffic.

For display-specific guidance, see Valve’s Steam Link display troubleshooting page.

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Controller compatibility depends on the client

Do not assume that a controller’s Bluetooth support alone means it will work with Steam Link. Valve publishes separate Android and Raspberry Pi lists, and some entries are limited by operating-system version or connection method. Check the relevant client support page for the exact controller and whether its supported connection is wired, Bluetooth, or receiver-based before buying or troubleshooting it.

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