How to Play Steam Games on iPhone

This article explains how to set up Steam Link and how to use Steam Link to play Steam games on iPhone.

How to Set Up Steam Link on iPhone

To play Steam games, you need to set up the Steam Link app on your iPhone. Here's how to do that:

1. Get Steam Link from the App Store.

2. Ensure that your iPhone, Mac, or PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

   You only have to do this once. Once the app is set up, you can play over Wi-Fi or a cellular signal. Valve, the maker of Steam, recommends using a 5GHz network.

3. On your Mac or PC, launch Steam.

4. Open the Steam Link app on your iPhone. Tap Get Started to start the process of connecting to your computer.

   

5. Once the scan is complete, tap your computer in the Screen Link app.

   

6. The app displays a PIN. Enter the PIN in the pop-up window in Steam on your computer. This pairs the app and your computer.

   If your computer asks for permissions to do things like record the screen or use accessibility features, grant all requested permissions. I didn't do that at first, and Steam Link wouldn't work properly until we changed those settings.

   

7. Next, Steam Link tests your network speed (significant speed is required to stream games to your iPhone).

   Depending on the game and your settings, some cellular signals may not be fast enough to stream games. If you're having trouble, you may need to reduce graphics quality settings in both the app and on your computer.

   

8. When the test succeeds, green checkmarks appear next to your iPhone and your computer. You're ready to start playing.

   

How to Play Steam Games on iPhone with Steam Link

When Steam Link is set up on your iPhone and paired to your computer, you can start playing Steam games on your iPhone. Here's how:

1. Because Steam Link streams games from your computer, your computer will need to be on, connected to a network, and have Steam open in order.

2. Launch Steam Link. The green checkmarks let you know your computer and phone are ready to play.

   The home screen offers the Start Playing button, which is used to access your library (if you choose this, use the onscreen overlay buttons to navigate your library), or shortcuts to recently played games below that. You can use either method.

   The Steam Link app will let you know if you need to update drivers on your computer. If that's the case, follow the on-screen prompts.

   

3. Control the game using the onscreen controls or a hardware game controller. Only some games will work well with the touch-based controls offered by Steam Link. Trial and error will tell you which games are good candidates for remote play.