The Steam Deck is Valve’s latest addition to the handheld gaming market. This powerful yet small machine allows users to play their favorite PC games nearly anywhere. It’s natural to wonder, though, if SteamOS supports popular streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu.
There is no official Netflix app or support on the SteamOS software. However, the Steam Deck can still stream movies and TV shows while in Desktop Mode. You can access Netflix by using the built-in Firefox browser or install any other browser the same way you would on a PC.
Although there isn’t official Netflix support on the Steam Deck yet, we might see streaming service apps that are compatible with the device in the near future. Here’s everything you need to know about streaming on your Steam Deck in the meantime.
What is a Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device developed by Valve and released on February 25, 2022. The Steam Deck can be looked at as a more powerful competitor to the Nintendo Switch, as it can be played in handheld mode or connected to a monitor.
The Steam Deck runs on Linux but uses SteamOS on the front end, making it incredibly straightforward to navigate and install and play games.
The device comes equipped with a 1,280-by-800 7-inch screen, a custom quad-core AMD processor, RDNA 2 GPU, and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The Steam Deck comes in three models ranging in price from $399, $529, and $649, with storage sizes of 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, respectively.
Is Netflix Available on a Steam Deck?
There is no official Netflix app on the SteamOS software. However, the Steam Deck is capable of streaming Netflix movies and TV shows through multiple methods.
The easiest way to access Netflix is to use the built-in Mozilla Firefox browser on the Steam Deck. Here are the steps:
- Enter Desktop Mode by pressing and holding the Steam Deck’s power button, then select “Switch to Desktop.”
- Click/Tap the bottom left icon, then open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Enter netflix.com in the search bar at the top of the browser.
- Log into your Netflix account or create one.
- Start streaming your favorite TV shows and movies from your Steam Deck.
Note: You can install basically any web browser that supports Linux on the Steam Deck. This includes: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Brave, and many more.
What Other Streaming Services Are Available on a Steam Deck?
You can use other streaming services on the Steam Deck besides just Netflix. This includes services like:
- Disney+
- YouTube
- YouTube TV
- Hulu
- ABC Stream
- Twitch
- Amazon Prime Video
- HBO Max
How to Access Other Streaming Platforms on the Steam Deck
The steps for accessing other streaming services are the same as using Netflix on the Steam Deck. All you have to do is use the built-in Mozilla Firefox browser or any other browser on your Steam Deck. Here are the steps below:
- Open the Mozilla Firefox browser on your Steam Deck.
- Enter the streaming platform you want to use in the search bar at the top of the browser.
- Log into your account or create one.
- Now you can start streaming your favorite TV shows and movies from your Steam Deck.
This method should work for nearly any streaming platform you can think of. However, without official streaming support, it’s possible that you might run into errors. It’s best to restart your device or start troubleshooting procedures if you run into any issues.
Do You Have to Pay Extra to Stream Movies and TV on a Steam Deck?
Thankfully, you do not have to pay any extra fees or subscription services for streaming movies or TV shows on your Steam Deck. So long as you have an account, you can access popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ through any installed web browser.
You can also access streaming platforms through third-party apps like the Chameleon Video Player. The Chameleon Video Player is a donation-based software that allows users to watch media from streaming platforms on the Steam Deck.