Short answer: install the free Heroic Games Launcher from the Discover store in Desktop Mode, sign in to your Epic, GOG or Amazon account, install your games and let Heroic add them to Steam. After that, they launch from Game Mode like any other game in your library.
How this post was made: researched and written with Claude, an AI assistant, checked against the sources linked in this post, and overseen by Nersing Pradhan. How we make NP Handhelds
Why you need a separate launcher
The Epic Games Store, GOG Galaxy and the Amazon Games app don’t have SteamOS versions. Heroic Games Launcher is a free, open-source launcher for Linux that works with all three stores. It runs Windows games through Proton, the same compatibility layer Steam uses, so most games that work on Steam also work through Heroic.
How to install Heroic
- Press the Steam button, choose Power, then Switch to Desktop. If the desktop is new to you, start with our Desktop Mode guide.
- Open Discover, the shopping bag icon in the taskbar.
- Search for Heroic Games Launcher and click Install.
- Open Heroic from the application menu. It’s in the Games section.
Sign in to your stores
Click Log in or Manage accounts in Heroic’s sidebar and sign in to each store you use. Heroic opens the official sign-in page for Epic, GOG and Amazon, so you type your password into the store’s own page, not into a third-party form. Once you’re signed in, your library appears in Heroic.
Install a game and add it to Steam
- In Heroic’s Library, choose a game and click Install. Pick the internal drive or your microSD card.
- Open Heroic’s Settings and turn on the option to add games to Steam automatically. For a game you’ve already installed, open its menu and choose Add to Steam.
- In the game’s settings, choose a compatibility layer. Proton Experimental is a good start. If a game misbehaves, install GE-Proton from Heroic’s Wine Manager and try that instead.
- Double-click Return to Gaming Mode. Your game is in the Steam library under Non-Steam.
The first launch can take a little longer while Proton sets things up. That’s normal.
Tips for better results
- Check ProtonDB first. ProtonDB collects reports from Linux and Steam Deck players, often with fixes for specific games.
- Set the controls. Non-Steam games don’t get Valve’s Deck-tested layouts. Press the Steam button in game, open Controller Settings and pick a gamepad template, or a community layout.
- Fix missing artwork. Heroic adds artwork for most games. If a tile is blank, the SteamGridDB plugin from Decky Loader fixes it in seconds.
- Claim free Epic games on the website. Heroic installs games you own; you still claim the weekly free games on the Epic Games Store website.
What about the EA app, Ubisoft Connect and Battle.net?
Heroic doesn’t support them. You can add their installers to Steam as non-Steam games and run them with Proton, or use the free Lutris app from Discover, which has install scripts for these launchers. Many EA and Ubisoft games are also sold on Steam, where the launcher is handled for you.
The anti-cheat catch
Some online games use anti-cheat software that blocks Linux. Those games won’t run on the Steam Deck however you launch them. Fortnite is the best-known example; see our Fortnite guide for the ways around it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heroic Games Launcher safe?
Yes. It’s free, open source and widely used on Linux and the Steam Deck. You sign in through each store’s official login page.
Do cloud saves work?
Heroic supports cloud saves for Epic and GOG games that have them, so your progress can sync with your PC. Check that syncing is switched on in the game’s settings in Heroic.
Will Epic games run as well as the Steam versions?
Usually, yes, because they use the same Proton compatibility layer. They don’t get a Steam Deck Verified rating, though, so check ProtonDB if you’re unsure about a game.
Can I install Epic games on a microSD card?
Yes. Choose the card as the install location when you install the game.
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