Short answer: you can’t install Game Pass PC games on the Steam Deck, but you can stream them with Xbox Cloud Gaming. The best way is Microsoft Edge from the Discover store, set up to launch straight into Xbox Cloud Gaming from Game Mode. It takes about ten minutes.
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 streaming is the way to go
Game Pass PC games come through the Xbox app and Microsoft Store, which only run on Windows. Xbox Cloud Gaming runs the games on Microsoft’s servers and streams them to a web browser, so all the Deck needs is a browser and a good internet connection.
You’ll need a Game Pass plan that includes cloud gaming. Microsoft changes its plans from time to time, so check the current options on the Xbox Game Pass site. Fortnite is the exception: it streams free through Xbox Cloud Gaming without Game Pass.
Step 1: Install Microsoft Edge
- Press the Steam button, choose Power, then Switch to Desktop. New to it? See our Desktop Mode guide.
- Open Discover, search for Microsoft Edge and click Install.
Edge is the browser Microsoft supports for Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is why we use it here rather than Chrome or Firefox.
Step 2: Give Edge access to the controller
Flatpak apps such as Edge can’t see the Deck’s controls by default. Open the Konsole app and enter this command:
flatpak --user override --filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge
Press Enter. Nothing visible happens, and that’s normal.
Step 3: Add Edge to Steam with the right launch options
- Right-click Microsoft Edge in the application menu and choose Add to Steam.
- Open Steam on the desktop, find Edge in your library, right-click it and choose Properties.
- Rename the shortcut to Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- Click at the end of the Launch Options box and add a space, then this text:
--window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk "https://www.xbox.com/play"
This opens Edge full screen, straight to Xbox Cloud Gaming, sized for the Deck’s screen.
Step 4: Set the controls and play
- Double-click Return to Gaming Mode and open the new Xbox Cloud Gaming shortcut from your library.
- Press the Steam button, open Controller Settings, and choose the Gamepad with Mouse Trackpad template, so the buttons act as a controller and the right trackpad still works as a mouse.
- Sign in to your Microsoft account the first time, pick a game and play.
To quit, press the Steam button and choose Exit Game.
Tips for smoother streaming
- Use 5 GHz or 6 GHz Wi-Fi and stay near the router.
- Close downloads on your network while you play.
- Expect the odd soft frame. Cloud streams compress the image, so fast scenes can look less sharp than a game running on the Deck itself.
Prefer another service? See our GeForce NOW on Steam Deck guide. It streams games you own on Steam and other stores.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download Game Pass games to the Steam Deck?
Not on SteamOS. Game Pass PC games need Windows. Some Game Pass games are also sold on Steam, and if you buy the Steam version, it installs on the Deck like any other Steam game.
Do I need Game Pass Ultimate?
You need a plan that includes cloud gaming. Microsoft has changed which plans include it over time, so check Xbox’s site before you subscribe.
Why use Edge instead of Chrome?
Microsoft supports Edge for Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the setup above is the one most Steam Deck owners use. Chrome can work, but Edge gives the most reliable results.
Does cloud gaming use a lot of data?
Yes. Streaming games uses a lot of data per hour, so be careful on metered or mobile connections.
For more Steam Deck setup guides, subscribe to the NP Handhelds YouTube channel.
