Downloading video games to your Steam Deck will be an absolute ache, however the newest Steam Deck beta shopper replace will make the method just a little simpler for these of you with each the Valve handheld and a PC.

The brand new replace (opens in new tab) – which proper now could be solely obtainable to individuals who have opted into the Steam Deck Beta and Preview channels – lets you switch video games between units slightly than putting in them by way of the web yet again. This native knowledge switch ought to typically be faster than utilizing the web – particularly if you wish to use your Wi-Fi connection to do one thing else whereas the sport downloads, like get pleasure from the most effective Netflix exhibits or stream music on Spotify.

Not solely ought to passing the file round regionally assist to maintain your web connection speedy, it also needs to assist you to keep inside your knowledge caps (in case you have any) whereas nonetheless permitting you to play your new recreation in your PC and Steam Deck.

What’s extra, apart from with the ability to copy Steam video games out of your PC to your Steam Deck, you may switch them to different PCs, too. Although, in case you’re trying to copy recreation information to a PC that isn’t yours (one which isn’t signed into your Steam account), you’ll want to vary the Native Community Recreation Transfers settings from Self Solely (the default) to Buddies Solely or Everybody.

Nevertheless, the characteristic does have a few limitations to be careful for. Firstly, the PC to Steam Deck switch is a method solely. So, in case you obtain a recreation to your handheld Steam Deck first, you’ll have to obtain it from the web yet again in case you later need to set up it in your PC. Moreover, each transfers can solely occur if the Steam shopper is idle – so you may’t play a recreation whilst you copy the information.

When you aren’t but signed as much as the Steam Deck Beta and Preview channels, you may choose into them by going into your Steam Deck’s Settings. Open up System Settings after which go to Steam Replace Channel. Simply observe that these in-progress builds shall be much less secure than full releases, so whilst you’ll get entry to candy new options instantly, you’ll danger your system being buggier, too – although you may sometimes remedy points that come up by leaving the beta program and returning to the final secure OS construct.