You can install the Steam Link on Ubuntu using the Flatpak application format from Flathub. Steam Link is the dedicated client application for Steam Remote Play, a powerful network streaming technology developed by Valve.
It allows you to play games installed on your primary gaming PC by streaming the video and audio directly to your Ubuntu computer over your home network.
The host PC does all the heavy processing, while your Ubuntu machine acts as a receiver and sends your controller inputs back in real-time. This is perfect for extending your gaming setup to a living room media PC or a low-end laptop without needing to buy duplicate hardware.
Valve officially distributes the standalone desktop client strictly as a Flatpak package. This guide provides step-by-step terminal instructions for installing Steam Link on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS via Flathub. We also cover the critical host system controller configuration (installing the steam-devices package) required to pass your USB or Bluetooth gamepad inputs through the Flatpak sandbox.
If any of these steps fail on your system, please drop a comment below or contact us and we will help you get it resolved.
Official Flatpak Setup Walkthrough
Configure the Steam Link client on your system. Learn how to add the Flathub repository, install the application container, and set up your host system for gamepad hardware passthrough.
steam-devices package on your Ubuntu host to grant the necessary udev hardware rules.How Steam Remote Play Works
Understanding the basic architecture of Steam Link can help you optimize your streaming experience.
Your powerful main gaming computer renders the game, capturing the video and audio frames in real-time.
The compressed video is sent over your local router (preferably via wired Ethernet) to your client device instantly.
Your Ubuntu machine displays the video and captures your controller inputs, sending them back to the host in milliseconds.
Installation Process: Steam Link via Flatpak (Flathub)
Because Steam Link runs inside a strict software container, it will not interfere with other packages on your Ubuntu system. This method ensures you receive direct application updates from Valve as soon as they are pushed to Flathub.
Before you can download the application, ensure the Flatpak framework is installed on your computer. Open your terminal using the shortcut key combination Ctrl+Alt+T and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install flatpak -y
Next, add the official Flathub app store to your system. This is where the verified Valve application is hosted:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Run the installation command to download and install the Steam Link application:
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.SteamLink -y
Critical Step: Configure Gamepad Controller Hardware Rules
Because the Flatpak container restricts access to your host system’s hardware, Steam Link will not recognize most USB or Bluetooth controllers out of the box. You must install the native steam-devices package on your host computer to bypass this restriction.
The steam-devices package provides the required hardware rules that tell your Ubuntu system how to handle popular gamepads (like Xbox, PlayStation, and generic Bluetooth controllers) and allows the application to read their inputs.
Run the following command to install the device rules onto your system:
sudo apt install steam-devices -y
Note: After the installation completes, it is highly recommended to restart your computer to ensure the new hardware rules are loaded by your system.
Getting Started: How to Connect and Stream
Once you have installed the application and configured your controller rules, follow these steps to initiate your first streaming session:
- Prepare the Host: Turn on your primary gaming PC, launch the Steam desktop client, and log into your account.
- Launch the Client: On your Ubuntu machine, launch Steam Link from your desktop application menu or by running
flatpak run com.valvesoftware.SteamLinkin your terminal. - Connect Devices: Plug your controller, mouse, or keyboard into your Ubuntu machine (or pair them via Bluetooth).
- Pair and Play: Follow the on-screen instructions in the Steam Link app to scan your local network for computers running Steam. Select your host PC, enter the pairing PIN if prompted, and start streaming games to your Ubuntu desktop!
Video Tutorial: Visual Installation Walkthrough
If you prefer visual instructions, follow along with this verified community tutorial that demonstrates the Flatpak setup process and interface configuration.
Troubleshooting & Optimization Tweaks
Game streaming relies heavily on your local network’s stability. If you experience lag, visual artifacts, or stuttering, review these optimization settings inside the Steam Link application.
Navigate to Settings > Streaming > Advanced Options inside Steam Link. Ensure that hardware decoding is enabled. This forces your computer’s graphics card to process the incoming video stream, which reduces lag significantly compared to using the main processor.
By default, Steam Link automatically attempts to gauge your network speed. If your connection fluctuates, setting a hard limit can provide a smoother experience. Under Settings > Streaming, change the bandwidth limit to a fixed value (such as 30 MB/s or 50 MB/s) based on your network router’s capacity.
If Steam Link cannot find your host PC on the local network, verify your computer’s firewall is allowing Remote Play traffic. You need to open ports UDP 27031 and 27036, as well as TCP 27036 and 27037. If you are using a Wi-Fi router, ensure that “AP Isolation” or “Client Isolation” is disabled so your devices can communicate with each other.
How to Completely Uninstall Steam Link
If you no longer need Steam Link on your Ubuntu system, use the command below to remove the application and delete any leftover unused files.
Run the uninstall sequence in your terminal:
flatpak uninstall com.valvesoftware.SteamLink -y flatpak uninstall --unused -y
Interface Screenshots
View the gallery below to verify standard interface layouts and configuration menus.
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- Remote play session from How to Install Steam Link on Ubuntu 26.04 – Complete Guide
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- Checkpoint steam link from How to Install Steam Link on Ubuntu 26.04 – Complete Guide
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- Invite anyone to play with friends list steam link from How to Install Steam Link on Ubuntu 26.04 – Complete Guide
Use the links below to access community forums and official Valve support guides for troubleshooting:
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to the most common questions regarding Steam Link capabilities and compatibility on Linux.
Is Steam Link available in the default Ubuntu APT repositories?
No, Valve exclusively distributes the standalone Steam Link client for desktop Linux as a Flatpak package. You must install it using Flathub.
Why do my Bluetooth or USB controllers not work inside Steam Link?
Because Flatpak applications run securely isolated from the rest of your computer, the client cannot directly access your host system hardware by default. You must install the steam-devices package natively on your Ubuntu host using APT to provide the correct hardware rules for controller passthrough.
Can I use Wi-Fi to stream games via Steam Link?
While Wi-Fi connections are supported, a wired Ethernet connection for both your host gaming PC and the Ubuntu client machine is highly recommended. Wired connections eliminate wireless interference and significantly reduce latency spikes during gameplay.
How do I change the streaming resolution or bandwidth limits?
Launch the Steam Link application, navigate to the main menu Settings, and select Streaming. Here, you can define bandwidth limits, choose maximum resolution targets (such as 1080p or 4K), and select preset performance profiles like Fast, Balanced, or Beautiful.
How can I play non-Steam games on the Steam Link?
The Steam Link can stream any computer game once you add it to your host Steam library. Retail games and non-Steam applications can be added from the host desktop client by clicking “+ ADD A GAME” in the bottom left corner and selecting “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library…”. You can then launch the game directly from the Steam Link interface.
Related gaming guides: Install Steam on Ubuntu · Install Wine on Ubuntu · Install Lutris on Ubuntu · Install PlayOnLinux on Ubuntu
