Level Up Your Steam Deck: A Comprehensive Guide to Xbox Game Pass on Your Handheld

Level Up Your Steam Deck: A Comprehensive Guide to Xbox Game Pass on Your Handheld

The Steam Deck has revolutionized handheld gaming, offering access to your extensive Steam library on the go. But what if you could expand your gaming horizons even further? What if you could tap into the vast library of Xbox Game Pass? While not officially supported, running Xbox Game Pass on your Steam Deck is entirely possible and opens up a whole new world of gaming possibilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, step-by-step, ensuring you can enjoy titles like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and countless others on your beloved handheld.

Why Game Pass on Steam Deck?

Before we dive into the technical details, let’s explore why you might want to install Game Pass on your Steam Deck:

  • Massive Game Library: Xbox Game Pass boasts a rotating library of hundreds of games across various genres, constantly adding new titles.
  • Cost-Effective: For a monthly fee, Game Pass provides access to a wealth of games, making it a budget-friendly alternative to purchasing individual titles.
  • Play Anywhere: The Steam Deck’s portability combined with Game Pass allows you to enjoy your favorite games on the go, whether you’re commuting, traveling, or simply relaxing at home.
  • Discover New Games: Game Pass is an excellent way to discover new genres and games you might not otherwise try.
  • Cloud Gaming: Utilizing Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud), you can play many Game Pass titles without installing them locally, saving valuable storage space on your Steam Deck.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

  • Steam Deck: Obviously! Make sure your Steam Deck is updated to the latest stable version of SteamOS.
  • Xbox Game Pass Subscription: You’ll need an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to access cloud gaming and download games (if supported).
  • Stable Internet Connection: A stable and reasonably fast internet connection is crucial for both downloading games and streaming via xCloud. 5GHz Wi-Fi is highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Keyboard and Mouse (Recommended): While the Steam Deck has built-in controls, a keyboard and mouse can make navigating the desktop environment and entering credentials significantly easier. You can use a USB keyboard and mouse or a Bluetooth set.
  • Sufficient Storage Space: If you plan to download games locally, ensure you have enough free storage space on your Steam Deck’s internal drive or an SD card.

Method 1: Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) via Microsoft Edge

The easiest and most straightforward way to access Game Pass on your Steam Deck is through Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) using the Microsoft Edge browser. This method allows you to stream games directly to your Steam Deck without installing them, saving valuable storage space.

  1. Switch to Desktop Mode:
    • Press the Steam button.
    • Navigate to ‘Power’.
    • Select ‘Switch to Desktop’.
  2. Install Microsoft Edge:
    • Open the ‘Discover’ app (the software center, looks like a shopping bag) from the taskbar.
    • Search for ‘Microsoft Edge’.
    • Click ‘Install’.
    • Alternatively, open the console (Konsole application) and type the following command:
      sudo pacman -Syu microsoft-edge-stable

      Press Enter. You might be prompted to enter your password (the default password is ‘deck’).

  3. Configure Microsoft Edge for Gamepad Support:
    • Open Microsoft Edge.
    • In the address bar, type edge://flags and press Enter.
    • Search for “Gamepad Input” or “Gaming Input”.
    • Enable both “Gamepad Input” and “Gaming Input” flags.
    • Click the ‘Restart’ button at the bottom of the screen to apply the changes.
  4. Navigate to Xbox Cloud Gaming:
  5. Sign In to Your Microsoft Account:
    • Click the ‘Sign In’ button in the top right corner.
    • Enter your Microsoft account credentials associated with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
  6. Add Xbox Cloud Gaming as a Non-Steam Game: This is crucial for accessing it from Game Mode.
    • Launch Steam in Desktop Mode.
    • Click ‘Games’ in the top menu bar.
    • Select ‘Add a Non-Steam Game…’.
    • A window will appear listing applications. If you see Microsoft Edge, check the box next to it. If not, click ‘Browse…’.
    • Navigate to /usr/bin/.
    • Locate and select ‘microsoft-edge’.
    • Click ‘Add Selected Programs’.
  7. Configure the Steam Shortcut:
    • In Steam, locate the newly added Microsoft Edge shortcut (it might be at the bottom of your library).
    • Right-click on the shortcut and select ‘Properties’.
    • In the ‘Target’ field, you’ll see the path to the Edge executable. Modify it to include the Xbox Cloud Gaming URL and some flags for optimal performance:
      /usr/bin/microsoft-edge-stable --window-size=1280,720 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk "https://www.xbox.com/play"
      • –window-size=1280,720: Sets the window size to 1280×720, which is a good compromise between performance and visual quality on the Steam Deck’s screen. Adjust these values as needed.
      • –force-device-scale-factor=1.25: This flag helps to scale the content properly on the Steam Deck’s screen. You can adjust this value to 1.0 or 1.5 if the interface appears too small or too large.
      • –kiosk: This flag runs Edge in kiosk mode, which provides a more immersive, full-screen experience without browser controls.
      • “https://www.xbox.com/play”: This is the URL for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Make sure it’s enclosed in double quotes.
    • In the ‘Start In’ field, enter /home/deck.
    • You can also change the name of the shortcut in the ‘Name’ field to something more descriptive, like ‘Xbox Cloud Gaming’.
    • Click ‘Close’.
  8. Set a Custom Artwork (Optional): To make the shortcut look better in Game Mode, you can set custom artwork.
    • Search for Xbox Game Pass artwork online.
    • Download the images you want to use (e.g., a logo, a background image).
    • In Steam, right-click on the Xbox Cloud Gaming shortcut and select ‘Properties’.
    • Click on the empty box where the icon should be and select your downloaded logo image.
    • Right-click in the background area of the shortcut and select ‘Set Custom Background’ and choose your background image.
    • Right-click on the small logo in the library and select ‘Set Custom Logo’.
  9. Return to Game Mode:
    • Close all open applications.
    • Double-click the ‘Return to Gaming Mode’ icon on the desktop.
  10. Launch Xbox Cloud Gaming:
    • In Game Mode, navigate to your Steam library.
    • Find the ‘Xbox Cloud Gaming’ shortcut you created.
    • Launch it. Microsoft Edge will open in kiosk mode and automatically load the Xbox Cloud Gaming website.
    • Select a game and start playing!

Method 2: Installing the Xbox App via Bottles (Advanced)

This method involves installing the Xbox app within a compatibility layer called Bottles. This allows you to potentially download and play some Game Pass titles locally on your Steam Deck, if they are compatible and supported. This method is more complex and may require troubleshooting.

Important Considerations:

  • Compatibility: Not all Game Pass games are guaranteed to work flawlessly (or at all) when installed this way. Expect some trial and error.
  • Performance: Performance may vary depending on the game and your Steam Deck’s hardware configuration.
  • Updates: Game updates may require you to manually reconfigure Bottles or the Xbox app.
  1. Switch to Desktop Mode: Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to switch to Desktop Mode.
  2. Install Bottles:
    • Open the ‘Discover’ app.
    • Search for ‘Bottles’.
    • Click ‘Install’.
    • Alternatively, open the console (Konsole) and type:
      sudo pacman -S bottles

      Press Enter and enter your password if prompted.

  3. Create a New Bottle:
    • Launch Bottles.
    • Click the ‘+’ button to create a new bottle.
    • Give the bottle a name (e.g., ‘Xbox Game Pass’).
    • Select ‘Gaming’ as the environment.
    • Click ‘Create’.
  4. Configure the Bottle:
    • Select the newly created bottle.
    • Go to ‘Settings’.
    • Under ‘Runner’, select ‘Proton Experimental’ or a recent version of Proton. Experiment with different Proton versions if you encounter issues. You may need to install Proton Experimental through the Discover store if it’s not already available.
    • Enable ‘DXVK’ (DirectX Vulkan Translation).
    • Enable ‘VKD3D’ (Vulkan Direct3D 12).
    • Under ‘Environment Variables’ (you might need to scroll down), add the following variables:
      • Key: WINEDLLOVERRIDES Value: mfplat,mfreadwrite=
      • Key: PROTON_NO_ESYNC Value: 1
      • Key: PROTON_NO_FSYNC Value: 1

      These environment variables can help with compatibility and performance for some games. mfplat and mfreadwrite are related to Media Foundation, which some games use for video playback.

  5. Install the Xbox App:
    • In the Bottles window, select ‘Run Executable’.
    • Browse to and select the Xbox app installer (XboxInstaller.exe). You can download it from the official Xbox website on your Steam Deck’s desktop mode.

      Download Xbox App

    • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Xbox app.
  6. Run the Xbox App:
    • In the Bottles window, select ‘Run Executable’ again.
    • Browse to the location where the Xbox app was installed (usually C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.XboxApp_* – the asterisk represents a version number, so it will vary) and select the Xbox app executable. You may need to show hidden files in the file browser to see the WindowsApps folder.
    • Alternatively, you may find it easier to use the ‘Programs’ section in the Bottles interface after it has been installed.
    • Sign in to your Microsoft account.
  7. Install Games:
    • Browse the Game Pass library within the Xbox app.
    • Select a game and click ‘Install’.
    • Choose the installation location within the bottle (usually the default C drive).
  8. Add Games to Steam: To launch games directly from Game Mode, you need to add them as non-Steam games.
    • In Bottles, find the game that you installed.
    • Right-click on the game and select “Add to Steam”.
    • The game will now appear in your Steam library.
  9. Troubleshooting:
    • If a game doesn’t launch or crashes, try different Proton versions in the Bottle settings.
    • Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.
    • Consult online forums and communities for game-specific troubleshooting tips.
  10. Return to Game Mode: Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to return to Game Mode.
  11. Launch Games:
    • In Game Mode, navigate to your Steam library.
    • Find the games you added from Bottles.
    • Launch them.

Tips for Optimizing Performance

Regardless of which method you choose, here are some tips to optimize your Game Pass experience on the Steam Deck:

  • Use a Fast Internet Connection: For cloud gaming, a stable and fast internet connection is essential. 5GHz Wi-Fi is highly recommended. Consider using a wired Ethernet connection with a USB-C adapter for the best possible performance.
  • Adjust Graphics Settings: In cloud gaming, you usually don’t have control over graphics settings. However, when installing games locally, experiment with different graphics settings to find a balance between visual quality and performance. Lowering resolution, texture quality, and shadow settings can significantly improve frame rates.
  • Close Background Applications: Close any unnecessary applications running in the background to free up system resources.
  • Use ProtonUp-Qt: If you’re using Bottles, consider using ProtonUp-Qt to manage different Proton versions easily. You can install it through the Discover store.
  • Monitor Performance: Use the Steam Deck’s performance overlay (accessible via the ‘…’ button) to monitor CPU usage, GPU usage, and frame rates. This can help you identify performance bottlenecks.
  • Experiment with Different Proton Versions: For games installed through Bottles, try different Proton versions to see which one provides the best compatibility and performance.
  • Consider Using CryoUtilities: CryoUtilities is a popular tool for optimizing the Steam Deck’s performance. It can adjust swap size and other system settings to improve performance in demanding games. However, use it with caution and follow the instructions carefully.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter and potential solutions:

  • Game Streaming Stuttering or Lag:
    • Check your internet connection speed and stability.
    • Try closing other applications that might be using bandwidth.
    • Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or use a wired connection.
  • Game Not Launching (Bottles):
    • Try a different Proton version.
    • Verify the game files in the Xbox app.
    • Reinstall the game.
    • Ensure that the necessary dependencies (e.g., DirectX, Visual C++ Runtime) are installed within the bottle.
  • Controller Not Working:
    • Ensure that gamepad input is enabled in Microsoft Edge (for cloud gaming).
    • In Bottles, make sure the Steam Deck’s controller is properly detected.
    • Try restarting the game and/or the Steam Deck.
  • Xbox App Crashing:
    • Try a different Proton version.
    • Reinstall the Xbox app within Bottles.
    • Ensure that your system is up to date.
  • Audio Issues:
    • Ensure that the correct audio output device is selected in the Steam Deck’s settings and in the game’s settings.
    • Try restarting the game and/or the Steam Deck.

Conclusion

While getting Xbox Game Pass running on the Steam Deck requires some technical know-how, the rewards are well worth the effort. Whether you choose to stream games via xCloud or attempt to install them locally, you’ll gain access to a vast library of games, expanding the versatility of your already impressive handheld. With a bit of patience and experimentation, you can unlock a whole new level of gaming enjoyment on your Steam Deck. Happy gaming!

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