Valve is always busy improving SteamOS and the Steam Deck client, improving the handheld experience with every single patch. And now, the company has rolled out another packed Steam Deck Client update, and this one focuses on usability, performance, and better features for both casual and advanced users.

You can now remotely manage downloads on your other Steam devices and switch to Desktop Mode directly from the login screen. Valve has also improved how wireless gamepads are handled, adding a low battery warning and a battery indicator right in the header, so you always know when it’s time to charge. You can find the full patch notes below.

What does the update offer?

General

• Added a setting to enable ‘Switch To Desktop’ in the login screen. It can be found in System Settings.
• Added a low battery level toast for wireless gamepads.
• Added a battery indicator to the header for wireless gamepads.
• Updated the Store main menu option to navigate to the Steam Store home page instead of the Great On Deck hub.
• Improved compatibility with WiFi captive portals.
• Improved client performance when there are many unread account notifications pending.
• Fixed a case where opting into the ‘Preview’ channel could silently fail.
• Fixed subtle sizing issues with the Recently Played carousel.
• Fixed the Voice chat tab of the QAM not being hidden after exiting all active voice chats.
• Fixed spell check not working in certain browser views.

Chat

• Moved Steam chat into the quick access menu, making it easier to access while in-game.
• Introduced new quick chat feature for Steam Deck and Big Picture Mode.
  • When in a chat, press and hold the view button to bring up quick chat options.
  • Move thumbstick and release view button to send a quick chat.
  • Quick chats can be edited in Settings > Keyboard.
• Focus will no longer jump to room effect replay buttons when scrolling through chat history.
• Fixed a bug that would sometimes prevent chat history from loading when scrolling up.

Downloads

• Added Remote Downloads Management. This allows you to manage downloads on Remote Steam Clients from the downloads page. You can select different clients by pressing Y on the downloads page.
  • The App Details page now has the same options and statuses for remote clients as the local client.
  • Both the local and remote clients must be updated to enable this feature.

Game Recording

• Fixed the instant clip shortcut not working for non-Steam games when using a gamepad.
• Fixed a bug which affected taking a screenshot from a game recording clip.

Remote Play

• Added feedback if capture can’t be started on the remote computer.

Cloud

• Fixed an issue which could lead to data loss when uninstalling, reinstalling, and playing a game without restarting the client in between.

Steam Input

• Revised controller settings to reduce clutter and to make them work better with gamepads.
• Changed controller settings to use a menu and details structure instead of tabs to list the connected controllers.
• Fixed a case where radial menus would fail to dismiss after releasing the joystick on Steam Deck.
• Fixed a case where the controller calibration screen could fail to load the correct values the first time it is opened.

Source: Steam Community

The update also brings some small but helpful improvements to overall performance. The system now runs more smoothly when there are a lot of unread notifications, and WiFi connectivity has been improved, especially for networks that use captive portals like hotels or public WiFi. There are also several bug fixes, including issues with voice chat tabs, spell check in browser views, and layout problems in the Recently Played section.

Chat has received a noticeable upgrade as well. Steam Chat is now easier to access through the Quick Access Menu while gaming. On top of that, Valve has added a new quick chat feature. You can hold a button, move the thumbstick, and send preset messages instantly. These messages can also be customized in the settings, making the overall process smooth.

Another major addition is Remote Downloads Management. This feature lets you manage downloads on other Steam devices remotely. For example, you can start or control downloads on your PC directly from your Steam Deck. It’s a small change, but very useful for people who use multiple devices.

There are also improvements to game recording, remote play, and cloud saves. For instance, Valve has fixed issues with recording clips in non-Steam games and added feedback when remote capture fails. A cloud-related bug that could cause data loss in certain situations has also been fixed. Finally, controller settings have been cleaned up to make them easier to use. The layout is now simpler, and several bugs related to calibration and menus have been fixed.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.