The upgraded Steam Link app for Android has transformed the way I game in 2025

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Lately, I’ve had a sophisticated relationship with gaming. Whether or not you wish to name it burnout or mid-thirties malaise, I simply couldn’t discover the motivation to play my favourite video games.

The answer for me has been retro handhelds. Unchaining myself from the PC I sit in any respect day is precisely what I have to get again into gaming. However what about all these Steam video games I’ve impulse-purchased through the years?

That’s the place Steam Hyperlink is available in. For years, the Android app was a joke, however a big replace final November introduced not solely new options like HDR and AV1 streaming, but additionally assist for greater than 500 Android units. With that in thoughts, I made a decision to present it a take a look at over the vacations, and I can’t imagine I haven’t tried it sooner.

Steam Hyperlink will get it accomplished

<img class="e_og" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Steam Link AYANEO Pocket Evo" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Steam Link AYANEO Pocket Evo" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-AYANEO-Pocket-Evo.jpg"/> Nick Fernandez / Android Authority

After a really fast and simple setup, Steam Hyperlink was primed and able to go. I examined it on a Google Pixel 9, REDMAGIC 10 Professional, and AYANEO Pocket Evo handheld. I additionally centered on enjoying at residence on native Wi-Fi since that’s the place Steam Hyperlink actually shines.

Solely controller-focused titles work properly, which meant my ordinary favorites of RTS and technique video games have been a no-go. So, for the primary time within the three years since I purchased it, I booted up Horizon Zero Daybreak and performed for a number of hours.

Steam Hyperlink works nice on native Wi-Fi, however solely with a controller.

The outcomes have been unbelievable. The visuals have been as crisp as my desktop gaming rig might handle, and the enter lag was minimal. It would battle with aggressive on-line shooters, however that’s probably not what I’m in search of whereas enjoyable on the couch after work.

By far one of the best expertise was the Android-powered AYANEO Pocket Evo, largely due to the built-in controller. It’s robotically registered as an Xbox controller when booting up Steam Hyperlink, so I didn’t should fiddle with touch-screen controls. To be honest, the touch-screen controls are positive and extremely customizable, however nothing compares to an actual controller.

The expertise was really so good that I puzzled if I wasted cash shopping for the ASUS ROG Ally. Wouldn’t it have been higher to purchase a less expensive handheld and stream from my PC? Nicely, no, and right here’s why.

What nonetheless wants work

<img class="e_og" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Steam Link menu redmagic 10 pro" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Steam Link menu redmagic 10 pro" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Steam-Link-menu-redmagic-10-pro.jpg"/> Nick Fernandez / Android Authority

Whereas Steam Hyperlink works very properly in-game, different stuff will be fidgety. The mouse controls didn’t all the time work properly for me, and that was simply whereas searching menus. I’d hate to see how they fare in-game. Closing video games additionally didn’t all the time work properly, and typically it prompted my desktop PC to hold till I finished streaming on the Android app.

The UI might additionally use some work. Some menus have been reduce off, and it listed video games I had in my library however not put in on my PC. Putting in video games isn’t a activity I wish to do whereas streaming, so I really feel like these video games can safely be left off the checklist.

There are extra streaming choices, however none are so simple as Steam Hyperlink.

Moreover, streaming efficiency isn’t good. If I moved to my bed room, which is the furthest room from my router, the standard tanked. Leaving the home made issues worse, making me really feel significantly better about investing in devoted gaming handhelds just like the ROG Ally and AYANEO Pocket Evo.

Finally although, Steam Hyperlink’s largest concern is that it isn’t the one resolution on the block. Moonlight gives higher streaming efficiency on native Wi-Fi and over the web. Cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA’s GeForce Now supply entry to your Steam library with no desktop PC, too (albeit at a price except you wish to endure the horrible free tier). Each additionally increase past simply Steam titles to incorporate Sport Go PC, Epic Sport Retailer video games, and extra.

However when you've got a PC, Steam Hyperlink is simply really easy. Straightforward is what I’m in search of going right into a turbulent 2025, so despite the fact that it’s not one of the best, I’ll nonetheless be utilizing it to chip away at my burgeoning backlog.