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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How do I use Steam Remote Play? Sign in to Steam on the computer running the game, connect another Steam device or invite a friend, then start the game remotely or use Shift+Tab to choose Remote Play Together. The host computer runs the game; the other device receives video and audio and sends controls back.
Steam uses “Remote Play” for two related features. Remote Play Anywhere lets one Steam user play an installed game from another computer or compatible Steam Link device. Remote Play Together lets a host invite a friend into a supported local-cooperative game.
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Key takeaways
- Steam Remote Play runs the game on a host computer and streams its video and audio to another device while sending the player’s keyboard, mouse, or controller input back to the host.
- Remote Play Anywhere requires Steam on the computer with the installed game and Steam on the second computer or compatible Steam Link device.
- Remote Play Together lets a host invite a Steam friend into a supported local-cooperative game; the friend does not need a separate copy for that shared session.
- Compatibility differs by game, so check the game’s Steam store page for Remote Play Together and Steam Link indicators.
- Steam recommends a wired network for higher-quality streaming, although wireless performance can vary by setup.
What is the difference between Remote Play Anywhere and Remote Play Together?
Remote Play Anywhere lets one Steam user play a game installed on a host computer from another computer or compatible Steam Link device. Remote Play Together lets a host share a supported local-cooperative game with an invited Steam friend.
| Feature | Remote Play Anywhere | Remote Play Together |
|---|---|---|
| Who plays | One Steam user across two devices | The host and an invited Steam friend |
| Where the game runs | On the computer where the game is installed | On the host computer, which starts the local-cooperative session |
| What the second person or device needs | Steam on another computer or a compatible Steam Link device | A friend signed in to Steam on a compatible device |
| Game compatibility | Steam device-streaming support | A separate Remote Play Together indicator on the game’s store page |
| Typical input | Keyboard, mouse, or controller | Keyboard, mouse, or controller, depending on the game and setup |
Steam Support’s Remote Play documentation explains that Steam Remote Play allows a game to run on one computer while the game is played from another connected device.
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How do I use Steam Remote Play in three steps?
Step 1: Prepare the host computer
Sign in to the Steam client on the computer where the game is installed, or on the computer that will host the Remote Play Together session. For the most reliable setup, Steam Support recommends updating Steam on both computers and launching the game on the host at least once so you can confirm that the game is updated and working.
For Remote Play Anywhere, the host is the computer that owns or has the installed game. For Remote Play Together, the host is the person who starts the game and sends the invitation.
Step 2: Connect the second device or prepare your friend
For Remote Play Anywhere, install and sign in to Steam on another computer, or use a compatible device with the Steam Link app installed. The second device connects to the host computer instead of running the game locally.
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Open the Steam Library on the second computer or compatible Steam Link device. Steam’s Remote Play instructions require Steam on both the host and second device. Sign in with the same Steam account on the remote device when using Remote Play Anywhere.
For Remote Play Together, make sure your friend is online and signed in to Steam on a compatible device. The friend does not need to install or start a separate copy of the game for the host’s local-cooperative session, provided the game supports Remote Play Together.
Step 3: Start the game or send the invitation
For Remote Play Anywhere, open the Steam Library on the second device and start the game remotely. The host computer launches and runs the game, while the second device receives the streamed picture and sound and sends input back to the host.
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For Remote Play Together, start the supported game on the host computer. Open the Steam overlay by pressing Shift+Tab, open the friends list, right-click the friend you want to invite, and choose Remote Play Together. The friend joins after accepting the invitation. Steam Support documents this invitation path as the standard way to begin a Remote Play Together session.
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Not every Steam game supports every Remote Play mode. Steam games can generally be streamed between a user’s own computers, while Remote Play Together and Steam Link suitability are separate compatibility indicators.
Check the game’s Steam store page before attempting Remote Play Together. Look specifically for the Remote Play Together label if you want to invite a friend, and check for Steam Link or streaming suitability when using a compatible Steam Link device. Steam Support identifies the game’s store page as the place to verify these compatibility details.
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What equipment and controls does Steam Remote Play require?
Steam Remote Play does not require a special controller for basic use. Steam sends keyboard, mouse, or controller input from the player’s device to the computer running the game, so the correct input depends on what the game supports and how the devices are configured.
A USB game controller is an optional convenience for games designed around gamepad controls. A controller can make a local-cooperative game easier to play remotely, but Remote Play itself does not make a dedicated controller mandatory.
How can you improve Steam Remote Play streaming quality?
Use a wired network connection when possible. Steam recommends a wired connection for higher-quality streaming and notes that wireless results can vary. Connecting the host computer, the remote computer, or both through Ethernet can reduce the instability caused by a busy or weak wireless connection.
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A Cat 6 Ethernet cable is an optional way to make a wired connection if your computers or network equipment have Ethernet ports. A Cat 6 cable is not a Steam requirement, and buying one will not solve every problem if the host computer, router, or internet path is the actual bottleneck.
What should you check if Steam Remote Play does not work?
- Update Steam on both computers. Different Steam client versions can prevent a session from starting correctly.
- Launch the game on the host first. Steam Support recommends opening the game at least once on the host before attempting Remote Play, which also confirms that the game is installed, updated, and functional.
- Confirm the account for Remote Play Anywhere. The remote device should be signed in to the same Steam account as the host computer.
- Confirm the friend’s status for Remote Play Together. The friend should be online, and the game should appear as visibly running in the host’s friends list before you try the invitation.
- Check compatibility. If the Remote Play Together option does not appear, verify the game’s Steam store page for the Remote Play Together indicator.
- Check the network. If the game starts but the picture or controls are poor, try a wired connection before changing more advanced settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Steam Remote Play work?
Steam Remote Play runs the game on the host computer, then streams the game’s video and audio to the other device while sending keyboard, mouse, or controller input back to the host.
Does my friend need to own the game for Steam Remote Play Together?
No. Remote Play Together lets a friend join a supported local-cooperative session without starting a separate copy of the game, although the friend must be signed in to Steam on a compatible device.
How do I invite someone with Steam Remote Play Together?
Open the running game’s Steam overlay with Shift+Tab, open the friends list, right-click the friend, select Remote Play Together, and have the friend accept the invitation.
Do I need a controller for Steam Remote Play?
No special controller is required. Steam Remote Play can transmit keyboard, mouse, or controller input, but an optional USB game controller may be more comfortable for games designed for gamepads.
The Bottom Line
Steam Remote Play is easiest to understand as host-side gaming with remote input and streaming. Use Remote Play Anywhere to play your own installed game from another device, or use Remote Play Together to invite a friend into a supported local-cooperative game. Update Steam, verify compatibility, and prefer Ethernet when wireless quality is inconsistent.
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