Recommended Free Tools
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes—but usually by streaming, not by installing Windows Steam games directly on the phone. Steam Link streams games from a PC running Steam; GeForce NOW can stream some supported games from the cloud. A ROG Phone is an Android device, not a pocket-sized ROG Ally, so neither option makes every Steam game run natively on it.
Four ways to play, with four different trade-offs
| Method | Where the game runs | PC needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | Your own PC | Yes | Streaming games you have installed on your computer |
| GeForce NOW | NVIDIA’s cloud servers | No | Streaming games supported by the service |
| Winlator or similar tools | Potentially on the phone, unofficially | No | Experimenting with selected PC games |
| Android game edition | The phone | No | Playing an official mobile port, if one exists |
For most owners, Steam Link is the most straightforward route. It sends video and audio from a computer running Steam to the phone and sends your controls back to that computer. The phone is the display and input device; the PC installs and runs the game.
Play from your PC with Steam Link
You can install Steam Link on a compatible Android phone, including a ROG Phone. That is different from installing the Windows Steam desktop client: Steam Link connects to a computer running Steam rather than turning Android into Windows. Valve lists Android devices among the supported destinations for Remote Play.
What you need
- A ROG Phone with a compatible version of Android and the Steam Link app.
- A PC with Steam installed, signed in, awake, and connected to the network.
- The game installed on that PC and ready to launch.
- A stable network between the PC and phone. For remote play away from home, both ends need internet access.
- Touch controls or, preferably for most games, a compatible controller. Some games work better with a keyboard and mouse.
Set up Steam Link
- Install Steam Link from Google Play or Valve’s official distribution route.
- Open the app and follow its connection or pairing prompts. Make sure Steam is running on the PC.
- Select the detected computer. If prompted, enter the PIN shown during pairing on the PC.
- Run the network test if the app offers one, then connect to the computer.
- Choose a game from the Steam interface and launch it. Pair or configure a controller before starting if the game needs physical buttons.
ASUS describes the same general pairing process in its ROG Phone PC-gaming guide. Menus and prompts can change with app versions, but the essential requirement does not: the host computer must be available to run the game.
#1 Best Overall
- 【35W Cooling Beast】Magnetic Phone Cooler 5 Pro offers up to 35W power,30% more than the previous generation, drops the temperature to below zero in 25s, it achieves up to a 113℉(45°C) drop, and cools down to as low as -4℉（-20°C）. Say goodbye to overheating, black screens, and frame drops.（Recommend a 40W+ wall charger; not included.）
- 【18 Addressable RGB LEDs】 The cooling fan, featuring 480 diamond-inspired facets, comes with 18 addressable RGB LED beads and introduces the first-ever Rubik's Cube lighting mode. Each LED bead can be individually customized for RGB lighting color, delivering enhanced playability.
- 【Smart Temperature Control】The mobile phone cooler uses dual NTC sensors to monitor internal temperature in real time. It auto-shuts off if temps exceed 60°C (140°F) or drop below -20°C (-4°F), enhancing safety and longevity. The Shark Arsenal app enables manual control, smart adjustments, and continuous monitoring to prevent internal condensation.
- 【Smooth Performance】The Gaming Phone Cooler unlocks your device’s full potential, ensuring no frame drops in games or lag during streams—enjoy ultra-clear, seamless visuals whether gaming, streaming, or watching videos in the car. Its top-and-bottom silent airflow design enables efficient heat dissipation, keeping hot air away from your hands.
- 【Wide Compatibility】Black Shark phone cooler with detachable grips supports magnetic/clip-on use, solving magnetic cooler compatibility issues. Works for Android, iPhone, Switch, iPad, laptops, etc. Features a 1/4 nut interface for live broadcast brackets. Package includes: Cooler x1, USB C to C cable x1, Manual x1, Removable Grips x2.
Make the stream more responsive
Network quality—not just the ROG Phone’s processor—has a large effect on how Steam Link feels. For home play, connect the PC to the router with Ethernet if possible and use strong 5-GHz or 6-GHz Wi-Fi on the phone. Move closer to the router, avoid congested networks, and lower the stream resolution or bitrate if the picture stutters. A Wi-Fi label alone cannot guarantee low latency; distance, interference, router load, and the PC’s connection all matter.
Touch controls can be adequate for turn-based games, strategy, point-and-click games, or simple inputs. For action, racing, platform, and first-person games, a Bluetooth or USB-C controller is generally easier to use. ASUS recommends its ROG Tessen as one phone-oriented option, but check fit and compatibility for your exact phone, case, and regional model before buying. Keyboard and mouse can suit strategy games, shooters, or desktop access; Valve says Remote Play can also provide access to the host desktop.
Rank #2
- Linear damping telescopic clip: easy to adjust, pay attention! Suitable for all types of mobile phones with a width of "6 to 7.5 centimeters". NEVEIKIA mobile phone cooling can cool down when connected to a power source.（Attention: It is best to remove the phone case when using it for a better experience!）
- Quick cooling: Dual engine, cooling principle is the same as a refrigerator, not ordinary fan cooling. It can cool your phone in "3 to 5 seconds", avoiding overheating and ensuring a stable live streaming or gaming experience.
- Dual power supply design: supports powering the radiator through a mobile phone, and can also be connected to an external power source for use; When connected to an external power source, it can provide stable power to both the radiator and the phone, avoiding interruption of heat dissipation due to insufficient power during long-term use and ensuring continuous and stable heat dissipation performance.
- Silent engine cooling: The fan with dual silent design can effectively dissipate air from all directions, providing stronger cooling effect without interfering with your games or Vlog programs.
- Expanded cooling area: Approximately 2.82x1.29 inches of extreme thermal conductivity cooling area, covering the CPU and battery module, protecting your phone from blackening or sudden shutdown.
Expect some games to be less comfortable on a phone even when the stream works. Small text, a tall-screen aspect ratio, a launcher that needs mouse input, or a PC that struggles to render the game can all get in the way. Try the games you care about before buying accessories solely for streaming.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Can Steam Link work away from home?
Yes. Steam Remote Play can stream over the internet as well as a local network, but that is not the same as playing without a PC. Your home computer must stay awake, online, signed into Steam, and able to run the game. Upload capacity at home and the phone’s connection wherever you are both affect the experience. Latency may be higher than at home, and hotel, school, office, carrier, or public networks can block or degrade streaming. A sleeping PC, a lost connection, or an update-induced restart can also make the host unavailable.
Rank #3
- 【35W Cooling Beast】Magnetic Phone Cooler 6 Pro offers up to 35W power, it achieves up to a 122℉(50°C) drop, and cools down to as low as -13℉（-25°C）. Say goodbye to overheating, black screens, and frame drops.（Recommend a 40W+ wall charger; not included.）
- 【Full-Color HD Smart Display】Industry-first 0.71-inch full-color HD smart display with vivid animated visuals and real-time data integration, delivering a strong futuristic tech feel. Real-time power output, cooling level, device temperature, and fan speed are clearly displayed at a glance. Supports custom wallpaper uploads for a fully personalized experience.
- 【Upgraded ICECOLD 2.0 Cooling System】Featuring the all-new ICECOLD 2.0 cooling system with an ultra-thin cold-forged 2.0 thermal architecture. Heat dissipation fins are increased by approximately 40%, spacing is reduced by 20%, and the overall heat dissipation area is expanded by 26%, while the weight is reduced by about 8g for a lighter and more efficient design.
- 【Smooth Performance & Addressable RGB Lighting】This gaming phone cooler fully unleashes your device’s performance, ensuring smooth, lag-free gameplay and low-latency streaming. Whether gaming, live streaming, or watching videos in the car, it delivers a crisp, seamless visual experience. Built-in 16 addressable RGB LEDs enhance the ambient lighting for a more immersive gaming atmosphere.
- 【Wide Compatibility】Black Shark phone cooler comes with a magnetic plate, supporting both magnetic and non-magnetic devices, effectively solving compatibility issues common with magnetic coolers. Compatible with Android phones, iPhones, Switch, iPads, laptops, and more. Package Includes: Cooler x1, USB-C to USB-C cable x1, user manual x1, magnetic ring plate x1.
No gaming PC? Check GeForce NOW
GeForce NOW runs supported PC games on NVIDIA’s servers and streams them to an Android device. ASUS lists it as an option for supported games associated with storefronts including Steam, Epic Games, and Ubisoft Connect. This can provide PC-game streaming without owning a gaming PC, but it does not install the game on the ROG Phone.
A Steam purchase does not guarantee that a game is available on GeForce NOW. Support depends on the service’s catalog, which can change; some titles also require linking a publisher account. Free and paid plans may differ in session length, queue priority, streaming quality, or available hardware, and regional availability and terms can vary. Check NVIDIA’s current catalog and plan details before subscribing. You also need a reliable internet connection, and cloud streaming is not an offline alternative.
Rank #4
- Rapid Cooling Down: It's the same refrigeration principle as the refrigerator, not the ordinary fan cooling，it can cool down your phone in few minutes to avoid overheat and ensure stabilize your live streaming or gaming experience.
- Universal Compatibility: This phone cooler provides two installation options – magnetic attachment and back clip fixation, making it perfect for most phone sizes. Whether you prefer the convenient magnetic snap-on or the sturdy back clip, it's designed to suit your needs.
- Wired USB-C Powered — Requires 15W+ Adapter for Peak Performance: This is a plug-in phone cooling fan, not wireless. For maximum 32°C cooling and fast frost, use a 5V/3A or 15W+ USB-C power adapter (not included) and a 3A-rated cable. The included 2A cable works for everyday cooling.
- Mute Engine Dissipation: Silent designing fan can efficiently emit wind from all sides, providing a stronger refrigeration effect, no disturbance to your gaming or your Vlog show.
- Large Cooling Area & Plug and Play: About 4.65 sq. Inches extreme thermal conductive cooling area to cover the CPU and battery module, protecting your phone from blackening or sudden shut-off. Use the C-type cable(included), plug and play.
Can Windows Steam games run directly on Android?
There is no general official ASUS or Valve solution that makes the Windows Steam catalog run natively across ROG Phones. Android and Windows are different operating systems, and a phone’s powerful mobile chip does not by itself provide Windows game compatibility.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Unofficial compatibility tools such as Winlator attempt to run some Windows software on Android. Selected older or lighter games may work, but results depend on the title, graphics translation, drivers, phone model, Android build, launcher, DRM, anti-cheat, and controls. Heat, battery drain, and sustained performance can also be concerns. Treat this as a game-by-game tinkering project, not a dependable way to access a whole Steam library. Avoid assuming that community reports guarantee the same result on your device, and be cautious with unofficial installers and modified software.
Best Value
- 【20W Power Ultra-Fast Cooling】The wired magnetic phone cooler utilizes high-performance Peltier element (TEC) with high heat dissipation capacity, and its heat dissipation ability lowers the temperature of the main unit by about 95℉. NOTE: Connection to power supply required for use. Power must exceed 20W for optimal performance. Data cable not included in packag.
- 【Simple Control】The cell phone cooling fan has a built-in Type-C interface, just connect the power cord and it is ready to use. Switch between overclocking mode and silent mode with the click of a button. 12N strong magnetic force holds the phone firmly in place and prevents it from falling off.
- 【Compact and lightweight design】The Magnetic cell phone cooler weighs only 0.18 lb in a small size, leaving more space for hand operation and being without overheavy burden.
- 【Quiet Operation】This smartphone cooler adopts noise reduction design, and the operating noise in silent mode is only 30db, allowing you to play games or watch videos comfortably.
- 【Vertical Air Duct Design】The vertical air duct design of FunCooler 5 smartphone cooling fan focuses on the user's actual experience and innovative ergonomic design, which provides a comfortable grip and does not dissipate heat to the hand.
An Android port is a separate version
Some games sold on Steam also have Android editions. A mobile edition is a port or separate product, not the Windows Steam version running on the phone. It may have different controls, graphics, content, DLC, mods, multiplayer, or save support, and may require a separate purchase. A Steam purchase does not automatically grant an Android license. Check Google Play or the publisher’s official site for the specific mobile version and its account or save options.
ROG Phone or ROG Ally for Steam?
| If your priority is… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Streaming games from a PC you already own | ROG Phone with Steam Link |
| Streaming without buying a PC | ROG Phone with GeForce NOW, if your games are supported |
| Installing and running Steam games on the device itself | ROG Ally or another Windows handheld |
| A phone for calls, camera, Android apps, and mobile games as well as streaming | ROG Phone |
ASUS describes the ROG Ally as a Windows 11 handheld for PC gaming, including access to storefronts such as Steam. It is the more direct fit if you want to install and run PC games on the handheld rather than stream them from a separate PC or a cloud service. A ROG Phone remains a smartphone: its display and mobile gaming hardware can make streaming and Android gaming appealing, but they do not make it a Windows handheld.
Troubleshooting common Steam Link problems
The PC does not appear
- Confirm Steam is open on the computer and that the intended account is signed in.
- For initial local pairing, put the phone and PC on the same network and make sure the PC is not asleep.
- Check whether firewall or security software is blocking Steam.
- Restart Steam and Steam Link, and install available app updates. Use manual pairing if the app offers it.
The image is blurry or stutters
- Test on the local network before troubleshooting remote play.
- Move nearer to the router; try a less congested 5-GHz or 6-GHz band if available.
- Connect the PC to the router by Ethernet, reduce stream resolution or bitrate, and pause other heavy network activity.
- Temporarily disable a VPN for diagnosis, if you use one.
The controller does not work
- Connect the controller before launching the game, then reconnect it if inputs are missing.
- Check the game’s Steam Input settings and try another controller layout.
- Use touch controls to test whether the issue is specific to the controller; check whether the game expects keyboard and mouse.
- Try a wired USB-C controller if compatible with your phone and setup.
Remote play fails outside the house
Make sure the host PC is awake, online, signed into Steam, and has the game installed. Check the home connection’s upload performance and the phone’s current network. A network policy may block streaming, or the PC may have restarted or gone to sleep. If it works at home but not elsewhere, the remote network or host availability is a more likely cause than the phone’s gaming hardware.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
