Valve is bringing Android game support to Steam alongside new hardware

Alongside a new console-like PC, VR headset, and controller, Valve is bringing support for Android games natively to Steam, and it could make for an exciting addition to the PC gaming storefront.

Valve just announced the long-rumored Steam Frame VR headset set for launch next year, and thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the company is opening up Steam to mobile Android games as a result. As reported by The Verge, the Steam Frame supports running the same APK files already in use on Android and — perhaps more notably — on the Meta Quest, which runs on an Android-based operating system. While this is likely a play to quickly bring more native VR games to Steam, it’s big news for gamers regardless.

Like all of Valve’s latest hardware, the Frame is running on Linux-based SteamOS. While it does use Proton as a compatibility layer, thanks to that Snapdragon chip, there’s no actual translation required — SteamOS can apparently run these titles are relatively high performance without requiring that layer of translation. Valve even plans to offer developer kits to teams working on hardware like the Meta Quest, though it sounds like very little work is needed to port those games from one headset to the next.

This doesn’t mean you can expect Discord and other non-game Android apps to line the already-packed virtual store shelves of Steam, though. Valve’s team told The Verge that, while non-gaming software is welcome on Steam (with tools like Wallpaper Engine and Blender already serving that audience), they see the browser as an entry-point for tools like virtual voice chat.

Still, even if the Android apps of your dreams don’t end up natively on Steam, the Frame will support native Android APK sideloading, making it that much easier to load up whatever titles you want. And with Valve taking this step towards ARM support, who knows what surprises could lay in store for an eventual Steam Deck 2. And if you’re a Chromebook fan sad about losing out on Steam support, it sounds like the future’s bright for other portable places to play.