Valve finally makes Steam Deck display-off downloads a reality three years later

In the wake of handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, it’s easy to forget that the Steam Deck is arguably responsible for kicking off the boom of handheld PCs. But while Valve’s console has plenty of features to write home about, there are still a couple of areas it needs to improve upon. That’s why I’m thrilled Valve’s latest tweak is a huge quality-of-life update, as Steam Deck display-off downloads are finally a reality.

It makes me think about the features we continue to take for granted in gaming. I shudder every time I think about downloading PS3 games, stuck on that lingering screen before it gave me the option to cast it to the background. Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat is a godsend after years of using other means to talk with friends in-game. Valve is catching up similarly, as its latest Steam blog post outlines how downloading games is more streamlined than ever.

Addressing the new update, it says that “we are adding a new feature to Steam Deck, enabling it to complete all active downloads in a new display-off low-power mode, before going to sleep.” Enabled by default while the Steam Deck is plugged in, you can also toggle it to work during battery power mode, too.

There are two ways the feature works, one of which is pressing the power button, prompting you to continue any downloads with the screen off. Additionally, the console automatically goes into display-off download mode if the console is idle for a certain amount of time.

Should you happen to nudge any buttons or move your Steam Deck during this mode, you can glimpse a fresh status screen that indicates how far along your download is. You can choose to fully wake the handheld or let it keep on downloading any Steam Deck games you’ve got queued up from here. It’s worth noting that if this feature is used in battery power mode, your Steam Deck automatically goes into sleep mode when the battery falls below 20%.

Fancy giving it a try? Valve says that “this feature is now available on Steam Deck in the Beta and Preview channels.” It’s an excellent feature, even if it’s three years later. While I adore my ROG Ally Z1e, there’s no denying that Valve’s use of SteamOS makes the entire experience exceptionally easy to use. My ROG Xbox Ally review notes how the new Xbox Full Screen experience and changes to Armoury Crate are getting closer to bridging this gap.

If you’re yet to purchase either console, then our Steam Deck vs Asus ROG Ally guide can steer you in the right direction. Or, if you’re willing to check out the rest of the competition, see our list of the best handheld consoles.