Steam Link streams games running on your PC to a TV, phone, tablet, or another computer. Install the free Steam Link app on the destination device, connect it to the computer running Steam, pair a controller, and launch a game from your Steam library. For reliable performance, wire the PC or client to the router when possible; otherwise use a strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection.
Steam Link lets you play a game running on your PC on a TV, phone, tablet, or another computer. The PC does the rendering, while Steam Link sends the game’s video and audio to the second device and returns your controller, keyboard, mouse, and supported voice input to the PC.
To use it, leave Steam running on your gaming computer, install the free Steam Link app on the destination device, connect both devices, pair a controller, and launch a game from the Steam library. For the smoothest experience, connect at least one side of the connection to your router with Ethernet; if both devices use Wi-Fi, prefer a strong 5 GHz connection.
What you need
- A host PC: The computer must be powered on, signed in to Steam, and running Steam. It is the device that actually runs the game.
- A client device: This is the TV, phone, tablet, or other computer receiving the stream.
- A network: For the easiest first setup, put the host PC and client on the same home network.
- A controller: A physical controller is the most practical choice for TV play and most action games. Confirm that it is supported by your particular phone, tablet, TV platform, or Steam Link hardware.
Valve lists Steam Link support for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Android phones and tablets, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Raspberry Pi, Windows, Linux, macOS, and supported Meta Quest headsets. App availability and minimum operating-system requirements can change, so check the current Steam Remote Play page and the app listing for your device before buying hardware.
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For Android, Valve’s support information lists Android 5.0 or later for many phones, tablets, and TVs. Apple devices have their own compatibility requirements. The Steam Link app is free; you do not need a separate game-streaming subscription.
How Steam Link works
Steam Link is a streaming client, not a replacement for your gaming PC. Your computer runs Steam, loads the game, renders each frame, and encodes the resulting video and audio. Steam Link displays that stream on the second device and sends your input back to the computer.
That distinction explains why the host PC, the network, the controller, and the client display all matter. A phone or TV does not independently run the Windows PC version of the game merely because Steam Link is installed.
Set up Steam Link on a TV, phone, or tablet
1. Prepare the gaming PC
- Turn on the computer that contains your Steam games.
- Open Steam and sign in to the account that owns the games.
- Leave Steam open while you use Steam Link.
The PC should not be asleep or shut down. If it is not visible to the client, first confirm that Steam is running and signed in before changing network settings.
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2. Install Steam Link on the destination device
Install Steam Link from the destination device’s official app store or Valve’s official distribution channel. Use the TV’s app store for Apple TV, Android TV, or Fire TV; use the relevant mobile app store for an iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
On another computer, install the Steam Link client for the supported desktop operating system. The app is separate from the full Steam client, although the host PC still needs the full Steam client running.
3. Connect Steam Link to the host PC
- Open Steam Link on the TV, phone, tablet, or second computer.
- Follow the on-screen setup instructions.
- Wait for Steam Link to search for computers running Steam.
- Select your gaming PC when it appears.
- Complete the pairing or connection code shown by the app, if prompted.
Local discovery is simplest when both devices are connected to the same home network. A guest network, public network, school network, work network, or router with client isolation may prevent the devices from finding each other.
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4. Pair a controller
Pair the controller with the client device—the TV, phone, tablet, or Steam Link device—not automatically with the host PC. Use the client’s normal Bluetooth or USB pairing procedure, then check Steam Link’s input settings if it is not recognized.
For TV play, a Bluetooth game controller is usually the most convenient option. Xbox-compatible controllers are a familiar choice, but compatibility is not identical across every platform. Valve also documents support for Steam Controller, MFi controllers, DualShock 4 on supported Apple and Android versions, DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, and other platform-specific devices.
Check the controller’s compatibility with your exact operating system, TV platform, Bluetooth implementation, USB ports, and Steam Link app version. A controller that works when paired directly with a PC may not work the same way when paired with a smart TV or phone.
5. Launch a game
- Use the Steam Link interface to open your Steam library.
- Select a game.
- Choose the option to start or play it.
Steam Link normally presents Steam’s controller-friendly Big Picture interface. Big Picture is particularly useful on a TV, but individual games still differ in their controller support. If a game expects a keyboard and mouse, connect those input devices to the client where supported, or configure the game’s control layout through Steam.
Using Steam Link on a TV
You can use the Steam Link app on supported Apple TV, Android TV, or Amazon Fire TV devices. You can also use another supported TV platform or dedicated Steam Link hardware if you already own it. Installing the app on a compatible smart-TV platform does not automatically require a separate Steam Link box.
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Steam Link hardware, HDMI, and audio
When using dedicated Steam Link hardware, connect it to the display over HDMI and verify its power connection. An HDMI cable is relevant to this hardware setup; it is not a required purchase when the Steam Link app is already installed on a TV platform.
Valve’s audio guidance states that Steam Link and the Steam Client can output six-channel PCM when configured for 5.1 surround sound. HDMI may be required when sending multichannel PCM to a TV or receiver. If surround sound is not working, check the Steam audio configuration, the TV or receiver’s supported input format, and the HDMI path rather than assuming every client supports the same audio output.
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Using Steam Link on an iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet
The phone or tablet becomes a portable display and control endpoint; the PC remains the host. A tablet’s larger screen can be more comfortable than a phone for strategy, role-playing, and slower-paced games, while a phone is convenient for short sessions.
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Touch controls may be available in some situations, but a physical controller is the more reliable recommendation for action games and TV-style play. Do not assume that every game’s keyboard, mouse, controller, or touch layout will behave identically on every mobile device.
Get better Steam Link performance
Wire at least one side when possible
Valve recommends connecting the gaming PC or the Steam Link client to the router with Ethernet when possible. If both devices are wireless, the stream has to cross two Wi-Fi links: the PC sends data to the router over Wi-Fi, and the router sends it to the client over Wi-Fi. That extra wireless contention is a common cause of unstable performance.
A Cat 6 Ethernet cable can be a useful, inexpensive way to wire the host PC or client and diagnose whether Wi-Fi is the problem. It does not guarantee zero lag or better performance in every home; it improves the network path only when the existing wireless connection is the limiting factor.
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- Use 5 GHz when the signal is strong enough. It is generally less congested than 2.4 GHz.
- Keep in mind that 5 GHz has shorter range and is less effective through walls than 2.4 GHz.
- Place the client and access point closer together when possible.
- Valve identifies an 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5-class router as a suitable target for this use case.
- A dual-band 5 GHz router is an upgrade option, not a requirement for every Steam Link setup.
Reduce competing network traffic
Pause large downloads, cloud synchronization, video streaming, music streaming, and other network-heavy software while testing. Another person’s high-bandwidth activity can affect game streaming even when the host PC and client are otherwise configured correctly.
Adjust Steam Link’s streaming quality or bandwidth gradually. Start with a lower setting, increase it until problems appear, and then return to the last stable setting. This is more useful than immediately selecting the highest available quality and assuming the network can sustain it.
Troubleshooting Steam Link
Steam Link cannot find the PC
- Confirm that the PC is powered on and not asleep.
- Confirm that Steam is open and signed in.
- Put the host and client on the same home network for local discovery.
- Recheck that Remote Play or streaming is enabled in Steam’s settings.
- Check whether the PC firewall is blocking Steam or Steam Link traffic.
- Disable or avoid guest-network client isolation and other router settings that prevent devices from communicating.
Do not treat port forwarding as the automatic solution. Valve documents Steam networking ports including UDP 27031 and 27036 and TCP 27036 and 27037, but the correct firewall or router action depends on the network. Public, captive-portal, school, work, and isolated networks may remain unsuitable even after local settings are changed.
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Video stutters, freezes, or feels delayed
Open the performance overlay in Steam Link or Remote Play settings. During streaming, large spikes in the cyan network-time line indicate highly variable network timing and commonly coincide with stuttering or freezing.
Work through these tests in order:
- Connect the PC or client to the router with Ethernet.
- Move the wireless client closer to the access point.
- Switch to 5 GHz if the signal is adequate.
- Lower the streaming quality or bandwidth.
- Stop downloads, cloud synchronization, video streaming, and other large transfers.
- Restart the host, client, and network equipment, then test again.
If Ethernet fixes the problem, the likely issue was wireless contention, signal quality, or interference. If the stream remains poor on a wired connection, investigate host-PC load, game settings, client decoding capability, and the router rather than simply buying a faster controller.
Black screen or display failure
For Steam Link hardware, check the HDMI connection, check power, and power-cycle the device. In relevant black-screen cases, Steam Support also recommends removing USB devices and retrying after a power cycle.
For an app-based client, check the app version, the TV or mobile device’s display output, the HDMI path if an external TV device is involved, and the controller connection. A black screen can have several causes, so one fix cannot be expected to resolve every case.
The controller does not work
- Confirm that the controller is paired with the client device.
- Confirm that the client device reports the controller as connected.
- Open Steam Link’s advanced streaming or input settings.
- Verify that input streaming is enabled.
- Restart Steam Link and reconnect the controller.
- Test a wired connection if Bluetooth pairing or range is unreliable.
Steam Support provides separate troubleshooting paths for Xbox adapters, Xbox controllers, PlayStation controllers, racing wheels, joysticks, and Bluetooth devices. Compatibility can vary by platform, so a controller working on Windows does not prove it will work when paired with an Android TV or iPhone.
Steam Link versus Remote Play Together
Steam Link and Remote Play Together are related but different features. Steam Link, also called Remote Play Anywhere in Valve’s description of the feature, streams your games from your PC to another device. Remote Play Together lets friends join supported local-multiplayer games over the internet, even when they are not physically at the host PC.
You do not need Remote Play Together to stream your own PC games to a TV, phone, or tablet. You also do not need a separate entertainment-streaming service: Steam Link is the relevant client for this PC-to-device game-streaming task.
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Optional accessories: what is actually useful?
| Accessory | When it helps | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth game controller | Comfortable TV, phone, and tablet play; easier Big Picture navigation. | Every controller works identically on every client platform. |
| Cat 6 Ethernet cable | Wiring the host PC or client; testing whether Wi-Fi is causing instability. | Ethernet guarantees no latency or lag. |
| Dual-band 5 GHz router | Improving a congested or outdated home network when the current router is the bottleneck. | Every reader needs a new router. |
| HDMI cable | Connecting dedicated Steam Link hardware to a TV or receiver and carrying compatible multichannel audio. | The Steam Link app on a smart-TV platform needs separate hardware. |
Frequently overlooked limitations
- The host PC must remain powered on with Steam running.
- Streaming quality depends on the host’s ability to run and encode the game as well as the network’s ability to carry the stream.
- Controller and keyboard/mouse compatibility varies by client platform and game.
- 5 GHz is often preferable, but its shorter range can make a strong 2.4 GHz connection more reliable in a distant room.
- Steam Link’s experience is not the same as installing and running a native mobile game; the game is still running on the PC.
For most homes, the best first attempt is simple: install the app, keep the host PC on the same network, pair a supported controller, and test with the PC or client wired to Ethernet if Wi-Fi performance is unstable. Only then consider a router or other hardware upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to use Steam Link?
No. Steam Link is free, and the host PC runs the games you own in Steam. You need a computer running Steam, a compatible client device, and a network connection, but not a separate game-streaming subscription.
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Does Steam Link have to be on the same Wi-Fi network as my PC?
Yes, for the simplest local setup. Keep the host PC and Steam Link client on the same home network, with Steam open and signed in on the PC. Guest or isolated networks may prevent discovery.
Do I need a Steam Link box for my TV?
Not necessarily. The Steam Link app can run on supported Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, phones, tablets, and computers. Dedicated Steam Link hardware is a separate option and is not automatically required when your TV platform supports the app.
Can I use Steam Link without a controller?
A physical controller is recommended, especially for TV and action-game play. Touch controls may be available in some contexts, but controller support depends on the client device, operating system, connection method, and game.
How do I fix Steam Link stuttering?
Start by enabling the performance overlay and watching for spikes in the cyan network-time line. Then test Ethernet on the PC or client, use strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi, reduce streaming bandwidth, stop competing network traffic, and restart the devices.
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The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Steam Link is the easiest way to send games from a Steam-running PC to a compatible TV, phone, tablet, or second computer. Install the free app, connect it to the host PC, pair a controller, and launch from the Steam library. Use Ethernet on one side when possible, prefer strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi when wireless, and treat new networking hardware as a troubleshooting upgrade—not a prerequisite.
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