Can You Play Steam Games on a Phone? Yes, Here's How!

Download Article

Take your Steam library with you wherever you go

Co-authored by Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: December 6, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Is it possible?

|

Steam Link

|

GeForce NOW (Android Only)

|

Requirements

|

Best Games to Stream

|

Video

You probably don’t think of your phone as any kind of gaming powerhouse—but, with the power of streaming at your disposal, it can be! In just a few steps, you can link your Steam account with an app like Steam Link (Android & iPhone) or GeForce NOW (Android only), and stream your favorite games directly to your phone for easy, on-the-go play. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the setup process for both apps, so you can skip any confusion and get right to gaming.

Different Ways to Play Steam Games on Your Phone

Steam Link: Install the Steam Link app and tap Get Started. Select your computer name and type the 4-digit PIN on your computer to complete the setup.
GeForce NOW: Install GeForce NOW on your Android and sign in to your Nvidia account. Go to Menu → Connections → Connect and sign into Steam.
Try alternatives to GeForce NOW like Boosteroid, Shadow, or even Amazon Luna if you have GOG, EA, Ubisoft, or Epic Games accounts to link.

Section 1 of 5:

Can you play Steam games on your phone?

Download Article

Yes, you can play Steam games on mobile devices. And, as a matter of fact, there are a few different ways to do it! The most straightforward is the Steam Link app, which will link a Steam account and let you stream games directly from a computer to your phone. However, if you’re an Android user, you can also try the GeForce NOW app, which will let you link your Steam account (as well as accounts on other platforms) and stream games as well.
- Ultimately, you can choose the streaming platform that suits your needs best. Check out the technical requirements to make sure you have what you need, too!

Section 2 of 5:

Playing Steam Games via the Steam Link App

Download Article

1
Enable Remote Play on your Steam account. With streaming enabled, the Steam Link app will be able to stream games from your computer’s Steam account to your phone. Without it, the app won’t work! So, follow these steps to enable streaming:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- On your computer, open Steam.
- At the top-left corner of the window, navigate to Steam → Settings.
- Select Remote Play from the list of tabs to the left.
- Ensure the Enable remote play toggle is set to ON.
It doesn’t matter whether you have an iPhone or an Android; Steam Link is available on the App Store and Google Play Store. On your phone, find the Steam Link app on your respective app store and install it.
3
Connect your phone to a computer with Steam via the Steam Link app. Open the Steam Link app and tap Get Started to proceed. You’ll need to connect the app to your computer that has Steam on it. Make sure your computer has Steam open and is using the same network as your phone; the name of your computer should appear automatically under Connect to a Computer. Tap your computer’s name to continue.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Before reaching the Connect to a Computer screen, you can opt to Pair a Controller with the Steam Link app (if you have one). Otherwise, just tap Skip.
After you select your computer, the Steam Link app (via your phone) will display a 4-digit PIN. Simply enter that PIN on your computer’s respective Steam window (which will open automatically), and the Steam Link app will proceed to pair with your computer.
Basically, this will ensure that your WiFi network can handle streaming games via Steam Link. So, let the app run its network test; then, once the test is finished, just tap OK.
6
Tap Start Playing to begin streaming a game. Once the Steam Link app is paired with your computer, you’ll see a large blue Start Playing button on the screen. Tap that button, and Steam Big Picture mode will launch. You’ll have access to your Steam Library; from there, just select any game installed on your computer to begin playing!
- If you have a special phone gaming controller paired, you can use it to navigate—or just use touch controls.

Section 3 of 5:

Playing Steam Games via Nvidia GeForce NOW

Download Article

1
Download and install the GeForce NOW app on your Android. Unfortunately, this option isn’t available to iPhone users—the GeForce NOW app is only available on the Google Play Store for Androids. Install the app on your phone, then open it and sign into your Nvidia account when prompted (or opt to make a new account if you don’t have one yet).^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You don’t need a paid GeForce NOW subscription to stream games on your Android, but your gaming sessions will be more limited in length, and you may need to wait in a queue to play.
- Nonetheless, you can launch as many gaming sessions per day as you want, even with the free membership.
2
Link your Steam account to the GeForce NOW app. Select the Menu icon in the GeForce NOW app, then navigate to Connections → Connect. A browser window will open, prompting you to log in to your Steam account. Accept the prompt and use your Steam username and password to log in and link your accounts.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You may need to sync your Steam library with the app, but you’ll be prompted to do so if that’s the case.
3
View your Steam games and select the one you want to play. Everything is pretty simple from here. With your Steam account linked to GeForce NOW, you can view your Steam library, tap on the game you want to play, and press the green Play button to begin a gaming session!
- While GeForce NOW is one of the most prominent cloud gaming platforms, you can also check out alternatives like Boosteroid or Shadow.
- And, while you can’t link a Steam account to Amazon Luna, you can use it to play games from your GOG, Ubisoft, Epic Games, and EA libraries.

Section 4 of 5:

Technical Requirements

Download Article

To stream games via Steam Link, you’ll need a computer with Steam installed on it (already logged into your account, as well) and a solid internet connection. You’ll also need to install any games you want to play on your computer, since Steam Link will stream those games from your computer to your phone.^{[5]
X
Research source}
2
Nvidia GeForce NOWAll you need to stream games via GeForce NOW’s platform is a Steam account with supported Steam games, as well as an Nvidia account. Additionally, though it goes without saying, you’ll also need a solid internet connection.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- As we’ve already mentioned, you can only use GeForce NOW with an Android device, and most modern Android phones are supported.
- GeForce NOW does have touch screen controls, but it’s a good idea to have a mobile controller if you’re planning to play a lot of games on your phone.

Section 5 of 5:

Which Steam games play best on a phone?

Download Article

Just because you can play any of your Steam games on a phone doesn’t mean they’re all equally easy to play that way. You’re not playing a mobile version of the game—you’re just streaming it, as it is. So, certain games might not be ideal for playing on your phone, while others are relatively simple and well-suited to mobile play. Here are a few examples:
- Platformers and roguelikes such as Hades and Hades II can work great, even on a smaller mobile screen.
- Turn-based strategy games, including the Civilization series, Endless Legend, and Divinity: Original Sin 2, might work well because they automatically pause between actions in combat.
- Narrative games like Oxenfree or Disco Elysium could work because they’re more focused on exploration and story than action and combat.
- Puzzle and simulation games, including Portal 2 and Stardew Valley, will also let you take your time—no crazy reflexes required!
- Avoid games with a lightning-fast pace, including shooters and fighting games, unless you have a really strong internet connection and a mobile controller for your phone.