How to play Minecraft on Steam Deck

Minecraft is not natively supported on the Steam Deck, which runs a Linux-based operating system called SteamOS. Despite this limitation, you can still play the game on the device using a third-party launcher. That said, Minecraft can be played on the Steam Deck using third-party applications like Prism Launcher and Bedrock installer that support launching and managing multiple versions of the game.

This straightforward method involves installing third-party Minecraft launcher in Desktop Mode and configuring it to work with the Steam Deck. This guide explains how to get the blocky game on the handheld.

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How to play Minecraft Java on Steam Deck

First, switch your Steam Deck from Gaming Mode to Desktop Mode. This can be done by pressing the Steam button, navigating to the Power menu, and selecting "Switch to Desktop Mode."

Then, open the Discover Software Center from the taskbar. Search for "Prism Launcher," a multi-platform Minecraft launcher. Install it on your device by selecting the appropriate option.

After Prism Launcher is installed, launch the application. You'll be prompted to log in using your Microsoft account credentials. Enter your details and ensure that you select the correct game version you'd like to play.

The launcher supports Java Edition and also lets you play with Minecraft mods. For the best experience on the Steam Deck, adjust certain settings in Prism Launcher, such as resolution and performance optimizations, to suit your preferences and the device’s capabilities.

A screengrab from the game (Image via Mojang Studios)

After setting up Prism Launcher, you must integrate it with Steam. Open the Steam client while still in Desktop Mode. At the bottom-left corner of the Steam window, click on "Add a Game" and choose "Add a Non-Steam Game."

Browse through your installed applications and locate Prism Launcher. Select it, and it will be added to your Steam Library as a non-Steam game. This integration makes it convenient to launch the game directly from the Gaming Mode interface.

Now, return to Gaming Mode by pressing the Steam button, navigating to "Power," and selecting "Switch to Gaming Mode." Open your Steam Library, find Prism Launcher, and launch it. From here, you can select the Minecraft version and configuration you set up earlier and begin playing.

In summary

1. Switch to Desktop Mode by pressing the Steam button, selecting "Power," and choosing "Switch to Desktop Mode."
2. Install Prism Launcher from the Discover Software Center in Desktop Mode.
3. Launch Prism Launcher, log in with your Microsoft account credentials, and configure the settings for the desired game version.
4. Optimize the game’s resolution and performance settings for the Steam Deck.
5. Open the Steam client in Desktop Mode, add Prism Launcher as a non-Steam game, and return to Gaming Mode to launch and play the blocky game.

Prism Launcher provides a great way to manage multiple Minecraft installations on the Steam Deck. By integrating the launcher into Steam, you can access the blocky game through the Gaming Mode interface.

This approach is especially useful if you prefer advanced configurations or wish to switch between versions easily. All you need to do is ensure your Steam Deck and Prism Launcher are updated to maintain compatibility.

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How to play Minecraft Bedrock on Steam Deck

Installing Minecraft Bedrock Edition on the Steam Deck is quite simple. First, switch to Desktop Mode and search online for Minecraft Bedrock Installer for Steam Deck.

Install it from the results, and once done, click Launch. When the launcher opens, click Continue, then sign in using your Google account linked to your Minecraft purchase. After logging in, click the Edit button next to your profile, enable the Window size option, and change the resolution to 1280x800 for a better fit on the Steam Deck screen. Finally, click Download and Play to finish setting up the game.