- Steam Link allows you to play remotely from your PC to mobile phones, tablets and TVs.
- The Steam Link Anywhere feature eliminates the need to share a local network.
- Pairing compatible controllers and adjusting the connection improves the gaming experience.
- There are also alternative options such as GeForce NOW or Xbox GamePass.
Want to play your Steam games on your phone, tablet, or TV without moving your PC from your desktop? Then you've come to the right place. Thanks to Steam Link and its Remote Play technology, you can turn any device into an extension of your gaming PC. This tool from Valve allows you to do streaming of your games from your PC to virtually any screen with a smooth and comfortable experience, as long as you follow a few key steps to set everything up correctly.
In this article we tell you Everything you need to know to stream Steam games to other devicesFrom the initial setup of the Steam client, to how to pair controllers, optimize your connection, and which apps you need for each platform. Everything explained step by step and with Tricks useful to get the most out of it.
What is Steam Link and how does it work?
Steam Link is a tool both in the form of an application and as a technology integrated into Steam that allows remotely play the games you have installed on your PCThat is, the games continue to run on your computer, but they are controlled and viewed from another device, be it your phone, a tablet, a TV, or even another computer.
The key is that Steam uses your local network or the Internet to send the image and sound in real time to the new device, while your inputs (controller, mouse, keyboard) are relayed to the PC. All this can be done both at home and from another network thanks to Steam Link Anywhere., an advanced feature that eliminates the need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.
Steam Link Anywhere: Play from anywhere
Steam Link Anywhere is the natural evolution of remote gaming. Previously, you could only use Steam Link if your PC and the receiving device were on the same network. Now, You can play even from other houses, mobile networks or any point with internet access.
To take advantage of this feature, you'll need to activate the beta version of the Steam client on your PC. This can be done from the main Steam menu, accessing "Settings" or "Preferences," and selecting the option to join the beta in the "Account" section. Once this is done, Steam will restart with the testing features that enable remote streaming.
Please note that your computer must be on and Steam open. to access your games from outside the home, thanks to this feature.
Set up the Steam Link app on your device
After preparing your PC, you'll need to set up the Steam Link app on the device you want to play on. The app is available for:
- Cellphones Android e iPhone
- Tablets
- TVs Smart TV
- Devices Android TV like Chromecast
- Apple TV
- Secondary computers
After downloading it, you'll need to pair a controller. You can use Bluetooth controllers or the Steam Controller if you have one. Connect your controller before continuing to be ready to play after syncing.
Pair your device with your PC
When you open the Steam Link app, it will automatically search for a computer with Steam running. If it detects one, it will display its name so you can tap on it. If it doesn't appear, you can select "Scan Again."
The next step will be to pair both devices using a PIN code that is generated in the appSimply copy it into the Steam pop-up window on your PC, and the connection will be established. From that moment on, your game library will be available on the linked device.
If any network, remote, or sync settings are experiencing issues, the app will let you know, and you can resolve them in "Settings." There you can also adjust the streaming quality based on your bandwidth.
Remote Play: alternative for streaming between computers
In addition to Steam Link, you can take advantage of Remote Play for streaming between two computersFor example, if you have an older laptop, you can use it as an additional display to play games on your main PC without having to install them on that computer.
To do this, simply log in to both machines with your Steam account and enable Remote Play in the settings. The "Play" button on the second computer will change to "Broadcast." The first time you connect both computers, you'll need to enter a validation PIN.
Smart TV Options
To play on the big screen, you can do so using the official Steam Link app for Smart TVs. It's pre-installed on many Samsung models and is also available for LG TVs, Android TV, or Google TV.
The process is simple: You install the app, sync it with your PC with a PIN, and that's it.. You do not need hardware additional, just a wireless controller connected to the TV or your Android TV device.
Compatible controllers and recommended connection
To ensure an optimal experience, it is recommended to use compatible controllers. Xbox controllers with wireless adapter are the most effective, as they connect via Wi-Fi Direct, significantly reducing latency. You can also use remote controls PlayStation, although Symbols on screen may not match exactly.
Regarding the connection, it's ideal for your PC to be connected via an Ethernet cable, and for the receiving device to use 5GHz Wi-Fi or, better yet, another wired connection. If you plan to play from another network, run a test with the Steam Link app beforehand to verify the streaming quality.
Other alternatives: GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass
If you're looking for another hassle-free option, you can play your Steam titles from the cloud using services like GeForce NOW. This cloud-based NVIDIA It allows streaming from high-performance devices, although it requires a subscription and games that have been purchased on Steam.
Another popular alternative is Xbox Game Pass, which allows you to play in the cloud without purchasing individual titles. Although it's not directly integrated into Steam, many games are compatible and can be played across multiple platforms.
Streaming your Steam games to other devices is not only feasible, but increasingly simple and accessible. With tools like Steam Link, Remote Play, or GeForce NOW, your desktop PC isn't a limitation. You can continue enjoying your games from your phone, TV, or even another room, as long as the connection is good. The best part is that you just need to configure your devices correctly and take advantage of the full potential of the Steam ecosystem.
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