Steam Deck beta update brings back Bluetooth feature to the LCD model that OLED owners have had since launch
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Valve is constantly updating the Steam Deck and its Linux-based operating system, SteamOS. There has been a flurry of patches in the past couple of days, bringing better controller support, accessibility options, and more. What we’re most interested in, however, is a patch on July 7th for the beta version of the OS that reintroduces the useful wake-on Bluetooth feature.
Wake-on-Bluetooth support has been reintroduced for beta channel users, after it was disabled in a previous patch at the end of June due to some issues. The “experimental” feature allows you to remotely awaken your Steam Deck from its slumber with a wireless device such as a controller or even your smartphone.
Valve is bringing wake-on Bluetooth to the LCD model
Wake-on Bluetooth has been available for the Steam Deck OLED since the newer device launched in 2023, but owners of the original LCD models have been left out. This is reportedly due to a difference in the Bluetooth hardware fitted in the devices, making it harder to implement on the LCD model.
Note: This update is for the Steam Deck Beta and Preview channels, and includes new features that are still being tested. You can opt into this in Settings > System > System Update Channel.
Bluetooth
Source: Steam
- Re-enabled experimental wake-on-bluetooth support for Steam Deck LCD, including support for LE peripherals
As beautifully demonstrated in the video above by Reddit user u/MrFloogaHoogle, this feature allows you to assign a device that will wake up your Steam Deck once interacted with. This comes in handy for users who primarily play in docked mode and want to turn on the Deck without leaving the comfort of their sofa. Very console-like. While this feature is in beta, we hope that any potential remaining issues will be ironed out ahead of the next stable channel update.
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