Steam Link is a free Valve app that streams games running on a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer to an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The computer does the rendering; the Apple device receives video and audio and sends controller input back. For the first setup, keep both devices on the same home network, leave the computer awake and signed in to Steam, and use a compatible game controller for anything beyond simple menu navigation.
What you need
- A Windows, macOS, or Linux computer with Steam installed, the game installed, and Steam running while you play.
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 11 or later, or an Apple TV running tvOS 11 or later. These are the app listing’s minimum operating systems, not a promise that every older device will decode demanding streams well. Valve’s App Store listing lists the requirements and supported host platforms.
- The free Steam Link app from Valve Corporation.
- For initial pairing, both devices connected to the same main home network (not an isolated guest network).
- A compatible Xbox, PlayStation, MFi, or other Bluetooth controller. Touch controls can work for some games, but a gamepad is much more practical for most PC titles.
Valve recommends Ethernet for the computer and the Apple device on 5-GHz Wi-Fi where possible. The App Store listing makes this a performance recommendation, not an absolute requirement.
Install Steam Link
iPhone
- Open the App Store and search for Steam Link.
- Check that the developer is Valve Corporation, install the free app, and open it.
- Allow local-network access if iOS requests it.
iPad
Follow the same App Store steps as on iPhone. The iPad listing is here: Steam Link on the App Store.
Apple TV
- Open the App Store on Apple TV.
- Search for Steam Link, confirm Valve Corporation as the developer, and install it.
- Launch it from the Home Screen. The Apple TV listing is at Steam Link for Apple TV.
Prepare the Steam computer
- Start the computer and connect it to your router. Ethernet is preferable.
- Open Steam and sign in to the same Steam account you will use in Steam Link.
- Leave Steam open and make sure the computer will not sleep during a session. On a laptop, connect power and adjust sleep settings temporarily if needed.
- Check Steam’s streaming setting. Depending on the Steam client version, it may be called Remote Play, Enable Remote Play, or the older In-Home Streaming. Do not assume an older guide’s exact menu label is still present; Valve’s current feature page is Steam Remote Play.
- If the operating system asks about the firewall, allow Steam on private or home networks. Do not leave the firewall disabled as a permanent fix.
Steam’s troubleshooting guidance identifies an offline Steam client, a sleeping host, different networks, and firewall restrictions as common discovery failures: host checks and network checks.
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Connect Steam Link to the computer
- Open Steam Link and let it scan for computers running Steam.
- Select your computer when it appears.
- If a pairing code appears, enter it in Steam on the host when prompted.
- Wait for the connection test to finish, then choose Start Playing (wording can vary by app and Steam client version).
- Steam Link opens Steam’s interface, commonly Big Picture or its current successor. Select a game from the library and launch it.
The first connection is easiest on the same router. Once it works locally, Remote Play can sometimes operate over another network, but success depends on the host’s upload path, latency, router configuration, and the remote network.
Pair a controller with the Apple device
iPhone and iPad
- Put the controller into Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth and select the controller.
- Open Steam Link and test the buttons. Controller customization is under Settings > General > Game Controller.
Apple documents compatible Xbox, PlayStation, and other Bluetooth controllers, plus compatible wired controllers (an adapter may be required): Apple controller support and iPad controller guidance.
Apple TV
- Put the controller into pairing mode.
- On Apple TV, open Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, or use Control Center’s Game Controllers control.
- Select the controller, then return to Steam Link and run its test or configuration screen.
Apple documents Xbox, DualShock 4, DualSense, and MFi controller support on Apple TV: pairing instructions and controller support. Features such as lights, audio jacks, haptics, and button behavior can vary by controller, operating-system version, and game.
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What about the Siri Remote?
The Siri Remote can navigate Apple TV and the Steam Link interface, but it is not a practical replacement for a full gamepad in most games. The app listing notes Siri Remote support when a controller is connected: Apple TV listing.
Get the best streaming performance
| Network arrangement | Practical expectation |
|---|---|
| Computer on Ethernet; Apple TV or iPad wired where supported | Best consistency and fewest wireless hops. |
| Computer on Ethernet; Apple device on 5-GHz Wi-Fi | Valve’s recommended home arrangement. |
| Both devices on strong 5-GHz Wi-Fi | Often good, but sensitive to distance and interference. |
| 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi, mesh-node hops, guest Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi, or cellular | More likely to add latency, packet loss, or discovery restrictions. |
There is no universal minimum Mbps figure. Required bitrate changes with resolution, frame rate, codec, game scene complexity, and congestion. Low bandwidth produces blur or pauses; latency produces delayed controls; packet loss produces stutter, crackle, or disconnects. The host’s CPU/GPU encoding load and the Apple device, television, or selected display mode can also limit results.
- Move the Apple device closer to the router and use the 5-GHz band.
- Stop downloads, cloud sync, video streaming, and other heavy traffic.
- Lower Steam Link’s stream quality or bandwidth limit gradually if the connection is unstable.
- Reduce the game’s resolution or graphics settings when the host cannot encode smoothly.
For network instability, Valve also recommends power-cycling the modem/router and restarting both devices: network troubleshooting.
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Use Steam Link away from home
Remote Play can stream to supported Apple devices over another network, but it is not cloud gaming: your computer remains powered on, signed in, running the game, and reachable through Steam. Cellular connections consume data and can vary sharply with carrier congestion and latency. Public or enterprise Wi-Fi may block discovery or peer traffic. Validate the setup on your home network first, then test remote access rather than assuming it will work everywhere. Valve’s feature overview is at Steam Remote Play.
Fix common problems
| Symptom | First checks and recovery |
|---|---|
| Computer is not found | Put both devices on the same main network; confirm Steam is open and signed in, the computer is awake, and Steam has private-network firewall permission. Restart Steam Link and Steam, and temporarily test without a VPN. |
| Pairing code fails | Confirm the same Steam account, then restart Steam Link and Steam and pair again. |
| Video stutters while audio continues | Use Ethernet for the host, 5-GHz Wi-Fi for the client, stop competing traffic, lower stream quality/bandwidth, and reduce game resolution or graphics settings. |
| Controller is missing or buttons do nothing | Forget it in Apple Bluetooth settings, re-enter pairing mode, pair it to the Apple device (not the computer), update firmware, run Steam Link’s controller test, and review that game’s Steam Input settings. |
| Game will not launch | Launch it directly on the computer first, clear launcher or permission prompts, verify it is installed, then retry. Third-party launchers, anti-cheat, overlays, or unusual input requirements can prevent reliable streaming. |
| Black screen or missing video | Restart Steam Link and the host, lower display settings, try disabling HDR or overlays/capture utilities, and check graphics drivers and hardware-encoding settings. No single fix applies to every Apple-device or host configuration. |
| Audio is delayed | Reduce network load and stream quality, then test again on a wired host and less congested Wi-Fi. |
Apple’s controller recovery advice includes updating software, forgetting the controller, and pairing it again: Apple support. Avoid permanently disabling the firewall; create a Steam exception for the private/home network instead.
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- iPhone: the most portable option and convenient with a clip-on controller, but the smaller display and cellular data limits make it less suitable for interface-heavy games.
- iPad: the larger screen suits strategy, simulation, RPG, and desktop-style interfaces. It is less pocketable, and a larger display does not remove network latency.
- Apple TV: the strongest couch-play option when you already own the box, television, and a compatible controller. It still depends on the host computer staying awake and on your home network.
Steam Link is a good fit for an existing Steam user with a capable computer who wants another screen. It is not a replacement for a gaming PC, native iPhone/iPad games, or an independent cloud-gaming service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Steam Link run games without a PC?
No. Steam Link streams a game that is running on a computer with Steam; the Apple device is the client, not the host.
Can I use touch controls?
Some games accept touch input, but a compatible controller is recommended for most PC games.
Can I use an Xbox or PS5 controller?
Compatible Bluetooth Xbox controllers and PlayStation DualSense controllers are supported on Apple devices, although features and button mapping vary by game and operating system.
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Does Steam Link work over cellular data?
It can work remotely, but the host must remain online and performance depends on both networks, latency, router conditions, and mobile-data limits.
Can the computer be asleep?
No. The host must be powered on, awake, connected, and signed in to Steam while streaming.
Does Steam Link work with Mac and Linux?
Yes. Valve lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported Steam host platforms.
Does Steam Link work with every Steam game?
Not necessarily. Launchers, anti-cheat systems, overlays, Steam Input behavior, and games requiring unusual input can cause exceptions.
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Quick Recap
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