DroidDeck enables native Steam gaming on Android devices

DroidDeck is an open-source application that allows Android users to run their Steam game libraries directly on compatible smartphones without the need for cloud streaming, a PC, or root access. The project boots Valve’s ARM64 Linux Steam client in Big Picture mode, providing a user interface similar to the Steam Deck.

To run Windows games, the application utilizes Valve’s Proton ARM64 compatibility layer alongside the FEX tool, which translates x86 instructions to the ARM architecture. Recent testing on a Nubia RedMagic 11 Pro equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip demonstrated significant performance, with Cyberpunk 2077 and Skyrim Special Edition reaching an average of 60 FPS at 720p resolution. Other titles like Left 4 Dead 2 achieved up to 120 FPS, while Ghost of Tsushima reached 60 FPS when using FSR frame generation.

Recent updates to DroidDeck, such as version 0.4.0, have transitioned the desktop environment from LXQt to KDE Plasma 6, mirroring the SteamOS aesthetic. The platform has also expanded its integration to include GOG, Epic Games, and Amazon Games, supporting cloud saves for certain libraries. The software supports various technologies including AMD FSR, Snapdragon GSR, and Lossless Scaling for frame generation.