PC game transfers are now supported by the Steam Deck

Author

Srinanda

Date

Mar, 16.2023

Now that the Steam Deck enables local network game transfers, you can copy installed PC games to the Steam Deck without having to redownload them from the internet. This function, which is part of the Steam Deck beta update that was released last week, should aid in lowering your internet data usage, particularly if you routinely redownload large games to your handheld.

Since the Steam Deck's release, file transfers have been an issue because of Valve's choice to run a Linux-based operating system rather than Windows. Users had to use third-party programmes like the Warpinator or enable the SSH server capabilities in the past, for example. Fortunately, moving game files from Windows to SteamOS should become more simpler in the future.

How does this help you?

Many gamers' lives will be made easier by the fact that the Steam Deck now enables Local Network Game Transfers, especially if they are constrained by slow or unreliable Internet. Particularly, this function of the Steam game client enables game file sharing between every device attached to a single network. This effectively means that a game can be shared with any other device without using additional Internet bandwidth if it is installed on one of the devices connected to a particular local network. Those who must adhere to unreasonably low monthly transfer limitations will find this option to be quite helpful just based on this.

How to enable Stem’s beta?

You must first enable Steam's beta on your PC's Steam client and Steam Deck to access the feature. Choose the game you want to add to your Steam Deck from there, and Steam will check every PC connected to your network to see if it already has the game. Steam will start the game transfer procedure if it discovers one. You can move already-installed Steam games from any other Computers in your home to your PC because this capability works with PCs connected to the same network. On its help page, Steam goes into greater detail about how everything functions. It also states that if the devices lose connectivity during the transfer process "or no more content is available," Steam will download the remaining portions of the game from its servers in its place.

Steam will soon bring more improvments

As helpful as update 3.4.6 has been for Valve's portable PC/console hybrid, SteamOS 3.5, which will soon be available for the Steam Deck, ought to be an even bigger improvement. About switching between two different modes of operation depending on the workload, the previously described intelligent SMT toggle will enable the device to eliminate the need for several community-derived emulation optimizations.

Of course, there are several shortcomings with the Steam Deck. One of its most notable flaws is that some games, like Bungie's Destiny 2, just won't run on it. While a patch for issues like these is not in the works, gamers have started a petition for Destiny 2 on the Steam Deck, which may or may not result in changes to the developer's platform support plans.