GeForce NOW app for Steam Deck has arrived

Even though it has been announced and "released", the download page at time of writing has not been updated to the new app.

It explains why I tried downloading it (before reading this page) and ended up with the same "Chrome installation" script that I already have.

Let's hope it gets updated real soon.

Edit: It seems it's updated now.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 29 May 2025 at 2:12 pm UTC

So that is why their stock surged today...

What alternate universe did I wake up in this morning?

Will this work with desktop Linux?

Not available on Flathub? Why?

They updated the link
https://international.download.nvidia.com/GFNLinux/GeForceNOWSetup.bin

Old link was this
https://download.nvidia.com/gfnpc/GeForceNOW_Setup.zip


Last edited by tarmo888 on 29 May 2025 at 3:25 pm UTC

The installer is in '.bin' format. NVIDIA against Linux standards again.

If this app requires to disable the immutability, it's just an atrocity.

Can't actually get the Steam Deck app to login for me right now, entered the pin in my browser on my laptop, says it's done but the Steam Deck app doesn't actually get through the login. I wonder if their servers are being hammered by this...

Their servers are probably under siege by millions of penguins.

I hope (probably forlornly) that this is the start of many such apps being better supported under Linux, simply because the SteamDeck is driving engagement. It would be amazing to see Spotify, Netflix, Prime, Paramount or Disney creating apps like this, ideally through Flathub, that provide a better Linux experience, and even better if they support the Deck's controls in gaming mode.

I think I'm dreaming though.

Just a reminder that it's easily possible, and free, to stream your PC with Steam Remote Play outside of your network, and if you have at least 10Mbps Upload from your ISP you should be able to stream reasonably well depending on your downstream network. If you set your mobo bios to enable wake on LAN, and then install the MoonBuddy DeckyLoader plugin to remotely wake your PC (or just instruct your PC to remain awake), you're never far away from your locally hosted games.

Attempted to install on Manjaro KDE, for those wondering. Installed, but wouldn't launch. Just a consistent notification that there was a problem that requited it to be reinstalled.

Just a reminder that it's easily possible, and free, to stream your PC with Steam Remote Play...

Did that, when I was using an Nvidia GPU (GTX 1660 Super). Now that I have an RX6600, my streaming quality is far worse than GeForce Now. Way too much stuttering! Can't figure out why.

From what I’ve gathered:

• Internal display: 60 or 120 Hz (90 Hz will be added later), HDR10 support, no VRR support


• External display: 4K 60 Hz or 1440P 120 Hz, HDR support, no VRR support.


• Steam Deck controller: will be exposed to the game as a GeForce Now controller (no per game steam deck default settings)?


• External controller: works but sometimes you’ll need to rearange the controller order.

Some question’s:

These features are available on Windows and macOS, are they not supported on SteamOS? (or just not on Steam Deck?)

• 4K 120/240 Hz?


• VRR (Cloud G-Sync)?


• AV1 support?


• 5.1 surround, and 7.1 surround?

Some other questions:

• Controllers: does rumble work? How does games with native Steam input API compare?


• How are game launchers handled?


• Xalia support?


• MangoHUD support?


• Copy paste support?


• Does it work on other devices with SteamOS like Lenovo Legion Go?

Last edited by Jpxe on 30 May 2025 at 7:31 am UTC

To install it on Linux desktop you need to run X11, the installer does not expect Wayland. Anyway, after installing and launching it cannot get past the login screen.

It's interesting that every big and small media site had an article about "GeForce Now on SteamDeck".

Was there an orchestrated PR campaign on the part of Nvidia?

It's interesting that every big and small media site had an article about "GeForce Now on SteamDeck".

Was there an orchestrated PR campaign on the part of Nvidia?

They announced it at CES and teased about it day before on social media, so some maybe had the articles even in draft. Many published it right after Nvidia article went up, without checking whether the download even worked.

Or people really waited this to finally happen.

Controllers: does rumble work?

First thing I tested with my 8bitdo Ultimate 2C.
Rumble works flawlessly with the dongle (2.4ghz) but not via Bluetooth.

That's already better than GeForce Now on Nvidia Shield. Rumble only works with the official Nvidia Shield Controller that Nvidia doesn't sell anymore.

[Start of sarcasm] Thanks Nvidia! [End of sarcasm]

Edit: By the way, there is a free tier for GeForce Now. It might be hard to get through the queue, but for testing purpose, it might be enough to answer some of your other questions.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 30 May 2025 at 11:55 am UTC

It's interesting that every big and small media site had an article about "GeForce Now on SteamDeck".

Was there an orchestrated PR campaign on the part of Nvidia?

Yes, this is how all announcements work, press get word and access ahead of time. Although we didn't, but I've spoken to NVIDIA on this now and they're sorting it going forward.

Steam Deck login actually worked for me today too, seems like it's sorted.

Steam Deck controller: will be exposed to the game as a GeForce Now controller (no per game steam deck default settings)?

4K 120/240 Hz?

How are game launchers handled?

Xalia support?

MangoHUD support?

Copy paste support?

Does it work on other devices with SteamOS like Lenovo Legion Go?

Each game can have different controller profile on Steam. Game developer can choose whether the game uses SteamInput (makes every controller look like Xbox controller and can have special settings) or gets access to actual controller that is connected to PC. Since Geforce NOW is cloud PC, it does similar thing as SteamInput, so any controller will look like Xbox compatible controller for Steam and then either adds developer settings to it with SteamInput or sees it as Geforce Now makes it to appear (Xbox compatible controller). Most games don't have multiple launch options, so they launch the game right away, but even if you can launch it yourself and change controller profile on Steam, it will be wiped for next session.

I think 4K@120/240hz isn't a thing for streaming anywhere (not even Youtube). As I understand the max is either 4K@60hz or 1440p@120hz everywhere (except browser, which is worse).

If Steam game requires launcher then it's already installed with the game. Most have auto sign-in.

You aren't renting any cloud PC, you are renting a cloud PC for gaming, so you can't install software on it (and it's against the ToS). Some game maybe have mod support via Steam Workshop or their launcher.

Like MangoHUD on Steam Deck? Geforce NOW isn't running SteamOS, it runs Steam Big Picture mode on Windows cloud PC. Nvidia Overlay has it's own performance stats (mostly about the network).

Haven't tried copying to clipboard, but you can paste to clipboard.

I read that it checks if the installer is executed on SteamOS, but since it's actually installing another flatpak, maybe people figure out how to get it running on other distros.