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How to Stream PC Games to an Android Device With Steam Remote Play

Stream games from a PC running Steam to an Android phone, tablet, or TV with the free Steam Link app. Here’s how to set it up, choose controls, and troubleshoot network issues.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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To stream PC games to an Android phone, tablet, or TV, install Valve’s free Steam Link app, then pair it with a PC running Steam. Start Steam and sign in on the PC, connect both devices to the same local network, and follow the setup shown in Steam Link. You can use touch controls or a compatible controller.

What you need for Steam Link on Android

  • A PC that can run the game, with Steam open and signed in.
  • An Android phone, tablet, or TV running Android 5.0 or newer, according to Steam’s Android support page.
  • A local network connection shared by the PC and Android device.
  • Optional: a controller. Steam Link also provides on-screen touch controls.

Steam Link streams games from the computer; the PC runs the game while the Android device acts as the display and input device. The app is available through Google Play, and Steam provides an alternate download route on its Android support page.

Steam Link Android setup

  1. Start the host PC. Open Steam on the computer that will run the game and sign in.
  2. Put both devices on the same local network. Connect the Android device to the network used by the PC. For best performance, Steam recommends connecting the PC to the router with Ethernet.
  3. Install Steam Link. Download the free app from Google Play, or use Steam’s alternate download route if Google Play is unavailable.
  4. Open Steam Link and follow its pairing instructions. Complete the on-screen setup in the app. The exact sequence may vary, so follow the prompts displayed on your device.
  5. Choose how to control the game. Start with touch controls, or connect a supported controller and use it as prompted by the app.

Touch controls or a controller?

You do not need to buy a controller to try Steam Link. Steam says touch controls are available automatically when the app launches without a controller. After connecting, open the menu in the upper-left of the app to change mouse mode or show, hide, and arrange the on-screen controls. See Steam’s touch-control guidance.

Steam’s Android page names the following controllers as supported. Support depends on the Android version where noted; the page does not establish current availability of particular models at retailers.

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Input option What Steam says Practical consideration
Touch controls Available automatically when Steam Link starts without a controller. No separate controller is needed, though virtual controls may be less comfortable for some games.
Steam Controller Listed as supported on Steam’s Android page. Physical controls; check that your particular device and setup can connect it.
Microsoft Xbox One S Controller Listed as supported on Steam’s Android page. Physical controls; confirm compatibility for the specific controller and Android device.
Sony DualShock 4 Listed for Android 9.0 and newer. Steam’s stated Android version condition applies.
Razer Kishi and Raiju Mobile Listed as supported on Steam’s Android page. Check fit and compatibility for your device before purchasing.

Steam notes that other input devices may work without being officially supported. Controller support also varies by game: a game with partial controller support may still require a mouse or keyboard for configuration or some menus. Steam explains the distinction in its Android app guidance.

Choose a network setup that reduces lag

Network quality affects how responsive and stable the stream feels. Steam recommends a wired Ethernet connection from the host PC to the router. If the Android device connects over Wi-Fi, Steam recommends 5 GHz Wi-Fi and an 802.11ac router; 802.11n on 5 GHz is its next choice. Steam notes that 5 GHz is generally less congested than 2.4 GHz, but has shorter range. Distance, walls, interference, and other wireless traffic can all degrade the stream. See Steam’s Remote Play network guidance.

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Ethernet for the host PC Less convenient than Wi-Fi, but recommended by Steam for the PC-to-router connection.
5 GHz Wi-Fi for Android Often less congested than 2.4 GHz, but shorter range can make signal quality worse at a distance.
Higher streaming quality Can improve the picture but uses more network capacity.
Balanced or Fast quality Can reduce network demand, with a possible reduction in visual quality.
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Fix stuttering, freezing, or a host that is not found

If the stream stutters or freezes

  • Check Steam’s performance overlay for variable network time, which can help identify network instability.
  • Reduce competing wireless traffic or move the router and devices to improve signal strength.
  • Try the “Balanced” or “Fast” streaming quality setting.
  • In advanced streaming settings, reduce resolution or adjust bandwidth. Steam suggests starting at 3 Mbit/s, increasing gradually until hitches appear, then lowering the setting. This is a tuning starting point from Steam, not a guaranteed minimum or universal bandwidth requirement.

If Steam Link cannot find the PC

  • Make sure Steam is running and signed in on the host PC, and that both devices are on the same local network.
  • Check that the firewall allows UDP ports 27031 and 27036, and TCP ports 27036 and 27037.
  • Make sure access point or client isolation is disabled on the network.
  • Try a different network if you are on public Wi-Fi, a workplace or school network, a guest network, or behind a captive portal. Steam says these networks are generally unsupported or likely to block a connection.

Steam’s Remote Play troubleshooting guidance provides the network and port details.

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