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SteamOS 3.7.8, released to the stable channel on May 22, 2025, introduced a Battery Charge Limit setting and expanded compatibility with AMD gaming handhelds. It also brought official SteamOS support to the Lenovo Legion Go S. However, the update did not make the ASUS ROG Ally or original Lenovo Legion Go fully official SteamOS devices. Valve classified those handhelds as beta-compatible rather than equivalent to the Steam Deck or Legion Go S.
That distinction matters if you are deciding whether to install SteamOS on a Windows handheld. SteamOS 3.7.8 made the process more practical, but installation remains experimental on the original Legion Go and ROG Ally—and the newer SteamOS 3.8 branch is now the more relevant version for third-party hardware.
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What SteamOS 3.7.8 changed
Valve named the release Go Country. It was the first SteamOS 3.7 build to reach the stable channel and was later re-released with additional Steam Client changes.
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The major platform changes included a newer Arch Linux base, Linux kernel 6.11, an updated Mesa graphics stack and Plasma 6.2.5 in Desktop Mode. Valve also added frame limiting for internal and external variable-refresh-rate displays, Bluetooth and controller improvements, crash fixes and broader work for non-Deck AMD hardware. Valve’s release notes identify three changes that attracted the most attention:
#1 Best Overall
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
- A configurable Battery Charge Limit, with 80% suggested for frequently docked devices.
- Official SteamOS support for the Lenovo Legion Go S.
- Improved compatibility with the ASUS ROG Ally and original Lenovo Legion Go.
The third item is compatibility work, not a blanket announcement that Valve had launched an official SteamOS edition for every Ally or Legion Go model.
Current-status update: SteamOS 3.7.8 is a 2025 milestone, not the latest stable release. Valve listed SteamOS 3.8.14 as stable on July 3, 2026. The 3.8 branch added more third-party-handheld fixes and preliminary charge-limiting support for several Legion Go models.
What the 80% battery limit does
On supported SteamOS configurations, the setting is found at Settings > Power > Battery Charge Limit. It sets a maximum charging level rather than reducing the battery’s performance or permanently removing part of its capacity.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf the limit is set to 80%, the handheld aims to stop charging around that level. You still get the same performance while playing, but you have less stored energy available than you would at a full charge. The setting therefore does not increase runtime per charge. Its purpose is to reduce the amount of time a lithium-ion battery spends held at full charge.
Valve says an 80% ceiling can be beneficial for long-term battery health when a device is frequently docked or rarely discharged. That is a practical recommendation, not a guaranteed lifespan extension or a promise of a specific percentage improvement.
Rank #2
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
When to use the limit
- Enable it if your handheld spends most of its time connected to a charger or dock.
- Disable it temporarily before travel, a long flight or an extended gaming session away from an outlet.
- Do not expect it to repair a worn battery or replace proper battery calibration.
Battery-limit behavior can differ by hardware. On third-party handhelds, the control may not appear in Game Mode, may initially be available only in Desktop Mode, or may report a value near rather than exactly at the configured percentage. Treat the setting as a hardware-dependent charging ceiling, not as an identical feature across every compatible device.
Does SteamOS 3.7.8 officially support the ROG Ally?
No—not in the same sense as the Steam Deck or Legion Go S.
Valve said that SteamOS 3.7.8 improved support for AMD handhelds such as the ROG Ally. That can cover system-level work involving controls, displays, power behavior, drivers and other components, but it does not mean ASUS Ally owners receive the same defined product experience, recovery path or manufacturer-backed integration as owners of an officially supported SteamOS device.
Valve’s support documentation places the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X in a beta-compatible category. That makes SteamOS a more realistic option for enthusiasts, but it also means that hardware-specific problems may remain.
Potential trouble spots include:
- Armoury Crate-dependent controls and performance profiles.
- TDP adjustment and vendor power-management behavior.
- Gyro sensors, special buttons and controller mapping.
- Firmware updates and vendor utilities.
- Sleep, suspend and resume.
- Audio, display orientation and external peripherals.
- Returning to Windows or recovering the original installation.
The accurate description is: SteamOS 3.7.8 improved ROG Ally compatibility and made community installation more practical, but Ally support remained experimental.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Original Legion Go versus Legion Go S
| Device | SteamOS 3.7.8 status | How to view it now |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck | Official | Primary SteamOS device |
| Lenovo Legion Go S | Official SteamOS support | Official non-Deck SteamOS option |
| Original Lenovo Legion Go | Improved compatibility | Beta-compatible and more experimental |
| ASUS ROG Ally | Improved compatibility | Beta-compatible and more experimental |
| ASUS ROG Ally X | Not the main 3.7.8 headline | Listed later as beta-compatible |
The Legion Go S and original Legion Go should not be treated as the same product for support purposes. The Go S was the first officially supported non-Steam Deck handheld highlighted in the 3.7.8 release. The original Go received compatibility improvements and appears in Valve’s installation examples, but that did not give it the same official “Powered by SteamOS” status.
On the original Legion Go, users should assess detachable-controller behavior, trackpad and gyro support, display orientation, TDP controls, suspend/resume, firmware updates and access to Windows-only Lenovo utilities.
What changed in SteamOS 3.8?
Readers installing SteamOS now should look beyond 3.7.8. Valve’s SteamOS 3.8.10 release on June 17, 2026 included Linux kernel 6.16, improved compatibility with newer Intel and AMD platforms, better discrete-GPU video-memory management and power-button changes across more devices.
It also included:
- Improved controller support for the original Legion Go.
- Controller and firmware support for the Legion Go 2.
- Preliminary charge limiting for the Legion Go, Legion Go S and Legion Go 2, initially accessible in Desktop Mode.
- ASUS ROG Xbox Ally controller, TDP and speaker-audio support.
- Additional fixes for Legion Go and ROG Ally behavior.
Valve subsequently listed SteamOS 3.8.12 and 3.8.14 stable fixes, including Legion Go S SD-card fixes and general security and stability improvements. See the 3.8.10 release notes and 3.8.14 release notes for the later version context.
Installing SteamOS on an ROG Ally or Legion Go
Installing SteamOS on a Windows handheld is not a normal over-the-air update. It changes the operating-system setup and can remove Windows and personal data.
Rank #4
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Valve’s installation guidance requires:
- Download the official SteamOS recovery image.
- Prepare a USB drive with at least 8GB of capacity.
- Write the image to the drive using Rufus on Windows, or Balena Etcher on macOS and Linux.
- Boot the handheld from the USB drive.
- Choose the appropriate recovery option.
- Disable Secure Boot if the installation process requires it on the particular device.
- Reboot and complete SteamOS setup.
Exact BIOS keys and boot-menu procedures vary by manufacturer and model, so there is no universal button combination that should be presented as valid for every Ally or Legion Go.
Valve’s SteamOS installation guide and recovery guide distinguish between several options:
- Re-image Device / Wipe Device & Install SteamOS: erases user data, games, applications and existing operating systems.
- Repair SteamOS: attempts to reinstall SteamOS while preserving personal data and games, although a backup remains essential.
- Recovery tools: provide lower-level repair and troubleshooting options.
Before replacing Windows
- Create Windows recovery media and keep it somewhere safe.
- Back up game saves that are not synchronized through Steam Cloud.
- Record BIOS settings and firmware versions.
- Keep the original recovery partition if possible.
- Double-check the USB device before writing an image or selecting a disk.
- Have access to another computer in case the handheld becomes unbootable.
Even when the installation succeeds, device-specific support can remain incomplete. Missing audio, controls, Wi-Fi, special buttons, suspend/resume behavior or firmware-update support may require troubleshooting or a return to Windows.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you install SteamOS?
Steam Deck owners
Use the 80% limit if the Deck is docked or plugged in most of the time and you do not need maximum one-charge runtime. Turn it off temporarily when traveling or preparing for a long session away from a charger.
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ROG Ally owners
SteamOS is worth considering if you want a console-like Steam interface, Steam Input integration and less Windows desktop friction—and you are comfortable troubleshooting unsupported hardware.
Best Value
- XBOX EXPERIENCE BROUGHT TO LIFE BY ROG The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- XBOX GAME BAR INTEGRATION Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- ALL YOUR GAMES, ALL YOUR PROGRESS Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- NEVER STOP GAMING Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- GAME-READY STORAGE AND FAST MEMORY Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Stay with Windows if you depend on Armoury Crate, PC Game Pass, Windows-specific anti-cheat support, vendor firmware tools, established ASUS power profiles or a wide range of launchers and peripheral software. Testing SteamOS from external media or preserving a Windows installation is safer than immediately wiping the internal drive.
Original Legion Go owners
The original Legion Go is a plausible experimental SteamOS candidate, particularly for owners who want a controller-focused interface. But check detachable-controller support, trackpad and gyro behavior, display orientation, TDP controls, sleep and resume, firmware availability and Windows-only Lenovo features before switching.
The SteamOS 3.8 branch is more relevant to current Legion Go charge limiting than 3.7.8 itself.
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If official SteamOS status is the priority, the Legion Go S is the clearer non-Deck choice. The Steam Deck remains the safest purchase for a mature SteamOS experience. The ROG Ally and original Legion Go are better viewed as Windows handhelds whose owners can experiment with beta-compatible SteamOS, not as equally supported SteamOS products.
Bottom line
SteamOS 3.7.8 mattered for two separate reasons: it introduced Valve’s 80% Battery Charge Limit and widened SteamOS compatibility beyond the Steam Deck. But “wider compatibility” did not mean universal official support. The Legion Go S received official status; the ROG Ally and original Legion Go remained beta-compatible and potentially troublesome installations.
For current users, SteamOS 3.8.x is the relevant branch, especially for newer Legion Go and Ally-related fixes. Enable the 80% limit when a supported handheld spends most of its life docked, but disable it when maximum portable runtime matters. And before installing SteamOS on a Windows device, back up everything and treat full re-imaging as a potentially destructive operating-system replacement—not a routine update.
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