How do I install Steam Beta?

Please follow the instructions below to participate in the Steam client beta:

  • With Steam running, click on "Steam" in the upper left, then choose the "Settings" menu. (Preferences on Mac)
  • On the "Account" tab under "Beta Participation" click the "Change..." button.
  • Select the "Steam Beta Update" from the drop down list and click "OK".
  • You will be prompted to restart Steam, please select the "Restart Steam" button.

If you are using Big Picture Mode:

  • Select 'Settings' then 'System'
  • Check the 'Participate in client beta' option
  • Follow the prompt to restart Steam

If you are using a Steam Deck:

  • Press the "Steam" button
  • Select "Settings" then "System"
  • Navigate to the "Beta Participation" section
  • Expand the System Update Channel pull-down and select "Beta"
  • Follow the prompt to restart your device

Instantly access to your favorite games on Steam, with thousands of games, exclusive deals, automatic game updates and other great perks. With Steam you can also join the Steam Community of PC gamers, join game groups, form clans, chat in-game and more.

Why is Steam so popular?

Steam was originally created by Half-Life developer Valve as a platform to update their games and distribute them digitally back in 2003. The service had a slow start, at the time facing competition from brick and mortar stores and physical game copies, but it didn't take long until it became the top digital distribution platform for PC gamers. Over the years Valve has successfully grown a platform that hosts games from most other publishers, studios, and game creators in general.

Is there a monthly fee for Steam?

Absolutely not. Steam is free and the platform makes money through the sale of games and other digital content.

What's New

Steam Input

  • The controller configurator in the desktop overlay will now receive escape key presses instead of the key press automatically dismissing the whole overlay

Game Recording

  • Fixed a regression in the game recording per-game settings, which would use the compiled-in default minutes to keep, or use the compiled-in default bit rate, instead of the user's preferences

Linux

  • Fix store page not rendering on some NVidia systems.

Previous release notes

General

  • The friends list will now show a Steam Deck icon, instead of a gamepad icon, if the other user is playing on a Steam Deck
  • Replaced the friends list VR icon with a new graphic that also matches the in-game or online friend state color
  • Fixed a few spots where tooltips were causing unexpected word wrap

Recordings & Screenshots

  • Fixed error that could happen when opening the Recordings & Screenshots dialog before necessary data had loaded in
  • Improved search filter behavior in the game selector dropdown in the Recordings & Screenshots dialog
  • Added support for "Send to Phone" share option to screenshots

Previous release notes

The Steam Client Beta has been updated with the following changes:

General

  • Fixed errors while displaying certain collections for some users.
  • Fixed mispositioned background glow on game capsules in grids.
  • Fixed "Soundtracks" and "All Games" shelves on home page applying the app type filter from the top of the games list. This would lead to Soundtracks showing no items if Soundtracks was not selected at the top of the games list, as an example.

Big Picture Mode

  • Fixed error when entering multiple words into search box

Game Recording

  • Today we've launched Steam Game Recording into Beta, a new built-in system for creating and sharing your gameplay footage, that works on any game on Steam. Go to the Game Recording website to learn all about it and how to try it out.

General

  • New Recording & Screenshot manager
  • Improved startup and library performance for users with large libraries.
  • Fixed collections based on friends not updating properly.

Library

  • Fixed mispositioned background glow on hover in app grids.
  • Fixed trading card hover effect

Steam Overlay

  • Improved responsiveness of overlay on Windows
  • Fixed placement of Windows IME in windowed games
  • User interface improvements to Steam IME
  • Fixed some file dialogs opening on desktop instead of in overlay