Valve Opens Steam to Android Games
Valve is taking a big step toward merging PC and mobile gaming. The company has announced that Android games will now be available on Steam, starting with its new hardware — the Steam Frame.
The Steam Frame, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, can run both Windows and Android titles. This marks the first time Valve has officially opened its doors to Android developers on its global gaming platform.
Steam Frame: A New Kind of Gaming Device
Valve describes the frame as a wireless VR headset for your PC — or a Steam Deck for your face. The device supports existing Android APKs, allowing developers to bring games built for phones or Android-based VR headsets like Meta Quest directly to Steam.
According to Valve engineer Jeremy Selan, the company wants the process to be seamless for users. “They just have their titles on Steam, they download them, and hit play,” he said.
Focus on VR Developers
Valve seems especially interested in attracting developers from the Meta VR ecosystem. Many VR creators already use Android-based builds, which will now easily run on Steam Frame.
Selan added that the performance should be excellent, as the apps will run natively on Arm architecture. This eliminates the need for complex translation layers, ensuring smoother gameplay and better optimization.
Not Just About Games
While Valve remains focused on gaming, it is also leaving room for non-gaming Android tools and apps. Lawrence Yang from Valve said the company doesn’t discourage developers from bringing software like Blender or communication tools to Steam.
Valve is also planning rich browser integration, enabling users to multitask, access web apps, and create shortcuts for quick access — though this feature might not be ready at launch.
What’s Next
Industry watchers believe this move could be the beginning of a bigger expansion. With global regulations pushing Google to open Android to alternative app stores, Valve could soon bring Steam to smartphones as well.
In the meantime, developers will be able to sideload Android APKs onto the Steam Frame. Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais hinted that SteamOS might eventually run on other Arm-based devices like laptops and future handhelds.
Valve’s entry into the Android ecosystem could redefine how gamers access titles across devices — and bring the massive Steam library one step closer to the mobile world.
