How to use the steam deck as a controller on the PC

[[?]legit]

I'd like to use the steam deck as normal xbox or playstation controller on my pc.

[mad.quixot]

Ive done it thru remote play togheter

[[?]legit]

Originally posted by mad.quixot:

Ive done it thru remote play togheter

That doesn't seem like a good option due to the latency.

[raventhehunter]

Originally posted by legit:

Originally posted by mad.quixot:

Ive done it thru remote play togheter

That doesn't seem like a good option due to the latency.

I've used the Deck a few times as a controller with Remote Play, mostly when the battery in my regular controller finally reaches 0% when I'm in the middle of something where I can't really stop for a moment to swap in a fresh one. I've never had any latency issues doing so. Of course, YMMV on that, but it's definitely doable (and makes me wish that I could have the Deck's screen act as a secondary info screen for such occasions).

[class101 [OLED deck]]

Using the SD as a gamepad doesn't sounds like a good option either because it is significantly heavier and hotter, and you will significantly reduce the battery life without actually using the Deck for what it is.


I don't think it's worth trying unless Steam supports it, i.e. managing the controller in a minimal linux session, similar to what gamescope does for games, because running this in Dektop mode is a waste.

[[?]legit]

Hopefully it gets supported soon.

I keep reading how superior the deck is compared to the switch. However this rather basic functionality isn't supported. The switch can be used as a pc controller without any problems... C'mon valve

[Boblin the Goblin]

Originally posted by legit:

Hopefully it gets supported soon.

I keep reading how superior the deck is compared to the switch. However this rather basic functionality isn't supported. The switch can be used as a pc controller without any problems... C'mon valve :steamy:

You can't use a Switch as a controller on PC...

You can use the Pro Controller or the Joycon Controller(s) as controllers on the computer because they are Bluetooth. Which it wasn't something you could even do at the beginning anyway. Drivers had to be added later on and Steam added support about a year after they came out.

It wouldn't make sense to use the Deck as a controller because like the Switch Lite, the controllers are hardwired into the device and not wireless. The closest we would get would be a wired controller.

[[KAMI] RedWyvern]

I use my Deck as a controller for my PC over Steam Link, which works fine.
Just switch to streaming from the PC on Deck and it'll work.
For me the latency seems to be a non-issue, but my SD connects to the nearby 5GHz access point with no issues.
I'd also assume that the main culprit of latency would be video streaming, if you don't use this image control inputs should be faster.
Just try it and see if it works for you.

[N a v y 3 0 0 1]

To the people that say "just stream it to the steam deck". Not everyone has amazing internet speed for streaming. Like me for example, every time I try stream play steam games, they get 1 FPS, freazes, and crashes the stream

[[KAMI] RedWyvern]

Originally posted by Navy3001:

To the people that say "just stream it to the steam deck". Not everyone has amazing internet speed for streaming. Like me for example, every time I try stream play steam games, they get 1 FPS, freazes, and crashes the stream

This can be fixed by either improving the WiFi coverage or setting up a hotspot on the machine to stream from and connecting the Deck to that.
Ofc. this is overkill, but so is using the Deck as a controller, it still works and atm there is no other option.

Lowering streaming quality might also help with making the connection more stable, but on a cluttered 2.4GHz band there isn't much you can improve.
You will want to use a 5GHz WiFi network the Deck can keep a stable connection with.

In thr future someone might develop a piece of software that forwards the Deck's inputs over USB or similarly to what KDE Connect can, only sends the inputs.
Maybe by modifying Steam Link itself to not stream video, but most options still end up relying on WiFi.

[N a v y 3 0 0 1]

Originally posted by KAMI RedWyvern:

Originally posted by Navy3001:

To the people that say "just stream it to the steam deck". Not everyone has amazing internet speed for streaming. Like me for example, every time I try stream play steam games, they get 1 FPS, freazes, and crashes the stream

This can be fixed by either improving the WiFi coverage or setting up a hotspot on the machine to stream from and connecting the Deck to that.
Ofc. this is overkill, but so is using the Deck as a controller, it still works and atm there is no other option.

Lowering streaming quality might also help with making the connection more stable, but on a cluttered 2.4GHz band there isn't much you can improve.
You will want to use a 5GHz WiFi network the Deck can keep a stable connection with.

In thr future someone might develop a piece of software that forwards the Deck's inputs over USB or similarly to what KDE Connect can, only sends the inputs.
Maybe by modifying Steam Link itself to not stream video, but most options still end up relying on WiFi.

None of that worked. My wifi is just that bad, but cheap.

Edit: and useing the deck as a controller would be ideal, got used to the steam deck controller layout, then went to use my Steam Controller and it was like a different world.

[Cat]

You can use steam deck as a usb controller with VirtualHere: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/v22ddf/guide_how_to_use_your_deck_as_a_steam_input/
Also, if the client window is not showing any hubs, you can use this solution: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/v22ddf/comment/jdh2drh/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3, but then it will use your network for data transfer, not usb (not as much bandwith as a steam link)

[воспитатель]

ы

[Virtual_Bĭch]

Originally posted by class101 deck:

Using the SD as a gamepad doesn't sounds like a good option either because it is significantly heavier and hotter, and you will significantly reduce the battery life without actually using the Deck for what it is.


I don't think it's worth trying unless Steam supports it, i.e. managing the controller in a minimal linux session, similar to what gamescope does for games, because running this in Dektop mode is a waste.

words fail to describe how I feel about simps like you who respond to a question with 'you shouldnt do what you are trying because its a bad idea, not that I would know or have ever tried'. beyond loathsome.

[Drak3]

Originally posted by N a v y 3 0 0 1:

To the people that say "just stream it to the steam deck". Not everyone has amazing internet speed for streaming. Like me for example, every time I try stream play steam games, they get 1 FPS, freazes, and crashes the stream

If streaming locally (which is what one would be doing if they just want to use the Deck as a controller for their PC), internet speed isn't a factor. What is a factor is the local network speed, as well as general connection stability. For most people, it should be just like gaming with the WiiU and its gamepad, or any bluetooth based wireless controller.