The Steam Deck price increase made the case for getting more out of the one you already own. The Deck stays plugged into a dock most evenings; the phone goes everywhere. Streaming the Deck’s display, controls, and audio to your Android phone is the same trick Steam Link plays on tablets, with the added option of routing over the internet via Tailscale or a VPN. The setup is short, the latency on Wi-Fi 6 is low enough for everything except competitive shooters, and the apps below all stay within Valve’s TOS.
We tested six apps that cover remote play, library management, and remote desktop fallback. Pair any two and the Deck doubles as a home server you can reach from anywhere.
What to look for in a remote play app
A few things matter before you pick:
- Local network only or internet capable? Steam Link works over Tailscale; Moonlight works over any reachable IP.
- Controller support. Touch controls are a fallback, not a feature.
- Audio sync. Some apps drift the audio behind the video by enough to be noticeable.
- Frame pacing. 60fps streaming is the baseline; some apps unlock 120fps when both ends support it.
- Encoder. Hardware encoding on the Deck (AV1, H.265) decoders matter on the phone side.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free | Best codec | Internet streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | Official Deck remote play | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac | Yes | H.264, H.265 | Via Steam Remote Play Together or VPN |
| Moonlight | Open-source streaming | Android, iOS, web | Yes | H.265, AV1 | Via Sunshine or NVIDIA GameStream |
| Steam Mobile | Companion and chat | Android, iOS | Yes | Not applicable | Yes |
| Tailscale | Mesh network glue | Android, iOS, desktop | Yes | Not applicable | Yes |
| Microsoft Remote Desktop | Desktop fallback | Android, iOS, Windows | Yes | RDP | Via VPN or LAN |
| AnyDesk | Desktop fallback | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes (personal) | Proprietary codec | Yes |
The apps
1. Steam Link — Best official Deck remote play
Steam Link is Valve’s first-party Android client. The Deck appears as a streaming host the second both devices share a network, and connecting takes a single tap. Controller pass-through accepts the Deck’s pad if you launch from the dock, or any Bluetooth controller pairing on the phone side. The recent update added hardware AV1 decode where the phone supports it.
Where it falls short: the touch overlay still feels limited compared with Moonlight. Internet streaming relies on Valve relays or your own VPN.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature
Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi
Bottom line: the right default for any new Deck owner.
2. Moonlight — Best open-source option
Moonlight is the community-maintained client for NVIDIA GameStream that also pairs with Sunshine on the Deck. Sunshine is a free server you install in SteamOS that exposes the screen, audio, and gamepad over the same protocol. The Moonlight Android client unlocks higher bitrates, HDR pass-through, and 120fps streams when both ends support them.
Where it falls short: the Sunshine install on the Deck takes a one-time setup pass. Not every game launches cleanly in the streaming session if Steam is not configured to launch on host.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android, iOS, web, ChromeOS, Apple TV, Switch homebrew
Bottom line: the choice for users who want the most control over the stream.
3. Steam Mobile — Best library and chat companion
Steam Mobile is the official companion app. It handles chat, wishlist updates, Steam Guard, Family Sharing approvals, and remote downloads to the Deck while you are at work. The recent UI overhaul finally caught up to the Steam Deck library view, so the same shelves you see at home appear here.
Where it falls short: there is no streaming inside the app. It is a companion, not a replacement for Steam Link.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature
Platforms: Android, iOS
Bottom line: the always-installed second app for any Steam user.
4. Tailscale — Best for streaming over the internet
Tailscale is the mesh VPN that turns the Deck and the phone into the same private network regardless of where you are. Once both devices are signed into the same Tailscale account, Steam Link and Moonlight treat the connection as a LAN. The free Personal plan covers up to 100 devices, includes MagicDNS, and uses the WireGuard protocol.
Where it falls short: initial setup needs a sign-in. Throughput is lower than a true LAN, so 4K 120fps streams may need a wired upstream on the Deck side.
Pricing:
- Free: Personal plan with up to 100 devices
- Paid: team plans for larger fleets
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, SteamOS, BSD
Bottom line: the missing piece for streaming the Deck from anywhere outside your home network.
5. Microsoft Remote Desktop — Best desktop fallback
Microsoft Remote Desktop is the official Windows RDP client. It is not for game streaming, but the Deck’s desktop mode runs Linux, and a Windows VM or a Windows PC on the same network can host. The client supports keyboard, mouse, gestures, and audio pass-through; for non-gaming workflows like file transfers or running a Windows-only utility from the Deck’s library, it is the safest pick.
Where it falls short: the protocol is not designed for action gaming. Use it for desktop tasks, not for combat.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature
Platforms: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows
Bottom line: the right pick for desktop-mode tasks on a Deck, not for action gaming.
6. AnyDesk — Best general remote desktop fallback
AnyDesk is the cross-platform remote desktop that works on SteamOS (via the AnyDesk Linux client) and Android. The proprietary DeskRT codec keeps latency under most office-grade RDP setups, and the free Personal tier covers the use case of accessing the Deck from your phone. Connect via the device alias, accept on the host, and you have a session.
Where it falls short: the gesture-based touch input takes practice. Free commercial use is not allowed; private use is unmetered.
Pricing:
- Free: Personal use
- Paid: monthly or annual tiers for commercial use
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Raspberry Pi
Bottom line: the easiest non-gaming remote pick that talks to SteamOS.
How to pick the right one
If you only have time to set up one app: install Steam Link and pair it to the Deck. It works the first time, every time, on the same network.
If you want a higher-quality stream and you do not mind a Sunshine install on the Deck, install Moonlight. The codec choices and frame pacing options pay off on Wi-Fi 6.
Install Steam Mobile alongside whichever streamer you pick because it stays useful even when you cannot stream. Install Tailscale the day you decide to play your Deck library from outside the house.
For desktop tasks, install Microsoft Remote Desktop if you also have a Windows machine on the network. Install AnyDesk if you want a simpler cross-platform fallback that also runs on the Deck itself.
A practical stack: Steam Link or Moonlight plus Steam Mobile plus Tailscale. The fourth slot is whichever desktop fallback you prefer.
FAQ
Does Steam Link work with the Steam Deck as the host?
Yes. The Deck runs Steam in desktop mode, so it acts as a streaming host. Steam Link on the phone discovers it automatically on the same network.
Is Moonlight better than Steam Link?
For pure stream quality with the right setup, yes. For ease of use, Steam Link is shorter to configure.
Can I play Steam Deck games over cellular data?
You can, but quality depends on the network. Tailscale handles the routing; latency is mostly a function of your cellular signal and the Deck’s upstream connection.
Do I need a paid VPN to stream over the internet?
No. Tailscale Personal is free for up to 100 devices and covers most home streaming use cases. You do not need a commercial VPN.
Will streaming drain my phone battery?
Yes. A continuous stream session uses display, decoder, and Wi-Fi at full power. Plug the phone in for sessions longer than half an hour.
