Use Steam Link or Remote Play to stream PC games to Android, TV, or another PC

Steam Link and Steam Remote Play stream a game from a computer that is running Steam. They do not install a normal Windows PC game as an Android app, and they do not bypass Steam ownership, DRM, account access, or game compatibility. Keep the game installed on the host PC, open Steam there, install the Steam Link app on the phone, tablet, TV, or supported client device, then pair the client with the host and start the game from your Steam Library.

Use this split first:

1. Want to play a PC Steam game on Android, TV, or another PC? Use Steam Link or Remote Play.
2. Want to install or move a Steam game to another drive? Use Steam’s storage settings instead. That is a separate install-location problem.
3. Want to play local co-op online with a friend? Use Remote Play Together if the game supports it.
4. Want to turn a PC game into an Android-native install? Steam Link does not do that.

What Steam Link actually does

Steam Link is a client app. It connects your phone, tablet, TV, streaming box, or another computer to a host computer that is already running Steam. The game still runs on the host PC. The client receives video and audio from that PC and sends your controller, keyboard, mouse, or touch input back to it.

That means three things matter before anything else:

• the host PC must be awake, signed in, and running Steam;
• the game must be installed and playable on the host PC;
• the network must be stable enough for real-time video and input.

If you are trying to free space on drive C:, this page is not the right path. Use the Steam install-location and move-game guide instead.

Set up Steam Link on Android or TV

Use this path when the client device is an Android phone, Android tablet, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, or another supported Steam Link device.

1. On the host PC, open Steam and sign in to the account that owns or has legitimate access to the game.
2. Make sure the game launches normally on that PC before testing streaming.
3. Install Steam Link from the official app store for the client device.
4. Put the host PC and client device on the same home network for the first pairing attempt.
5. Open Steam Link, let it find the host PC, and complete the pairing code if Steam asks for one.
6. Pair the controller, keyboard, mouse, or touch controls you plan to use.
7. Start the game from the Steam Library through the Steam Link app.

If the client cannot find the PC, keep the test simple before changing router settings. Confirm both devices are on the same home network, Steam is open on the host, the host is not asleep, and a VPN or guest Wi-Fi network is not isolating the devices.

Stream from one PC to another PC

Use this when the host is a gaming desktop and the client is a laptop, mini PC, or another Windows, macOS, or Linux computer.

1. Log in to Steam on the gaming PC and leave Steam running.
2. Log in to Steam on the client computer.
3. Open the Steam Library on the client.
4. Look for the option to stream or play from the host computer.
5. Start with a game that already works on the host PC, then adjust quality only after the connection is stable.

This can be useful when the second computer is quieter, lower power, or connected to a different screen. It still depends on the host PC doing the actual game work.

Remote Play Together is different

Remote Play Together is for supported local multiplayer or local co-op games. The host launches the game, then invites a friend through Steam. The friend joins the session remotely, but the host still owns and runs the game.

Use Remote Play Together when the question is “can my friend join this local co-op game online?” Do not use it as a workaround for account sharing, password sharing, license bypassing, or playing games neither person can legitimately access.

If the game does not appear

Check the host PC first:

• Steam should be open on the host PC.
• The game should be installed on the host PC.
• The game should launch locally on that host before you test streaming.
• You should be using the expected Steam account context.
• Remote Play should not be disabled in Steam settings.
• The game may not support the exact streaming or controller setup you want.

Avoid moving folders, reinstalling Steam, or deleting library files just because a game does not show up in Steam Link. File moves solve storage problems; they rarely solve a streaming visibility problem.

If Steam Link connects but streaming is laggy

Start with the network and quality settings:

• use Ethernet for the host PC if you can;
• use a strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for the client device when Wi-Fi is necessary;
• move the client closer to the router for a test;
• pause big downloads, cloud backups, and game updates on the same network;
• lower streaming resolution or quality before changing advanced settings;
• test one known-working game before blaming every game or every controller.

Lag can come from weak Wi-Fi, overloaded networks, host PC load, client device limits, or controller/input issues. Fix the simplest part first so you do not turn a network problem into an account or file problem.

If controls do not work

Pair the controller or input device with the client device first, then test it in Steam Link before launching a demanding game.

If controls fail:

1. Confirm the controller works on the client device outside the game.
2. Try a different USB cable, Bluetooth pairing, or controller profile.
3. Test a simple game or Steam menu navigation.
4. Check whether the game itself supports the controller layout you expect.
5. Restart the client app and reconnect to the host.

Do not share account credentials, Steam Guard codes, recovery codes, or screenshots of private account pages while troubleshooting controller problems.

When to use another support path

Switch away from this page if your real issue is:

• moving a Steam game to drive D: or another disk;
• recovering a Steam password, Steam Guard, or account access;
• buying, refunding, or transferring ownership of a game;
• installing a Windows PC game as a native Android app;
• streaming non-Steam launchers such as Xbox app, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, EA app, or Ubisoft Connect;
• configuring a school, hotel, office, or public network to bypass restrictions;
• deep router, DNS, port-forwarding, VPN, or firewall administration.

Price2Click will not help bypass Steam ownership, DRM, bans, region rules, paid content, or account security. If Steam Link is the right tool, the safe path is to keep the game on the host PC, pair the supported client, use a stable network, and troubleshoot the host, network, and input device in that order.

Useful official help

Steam’s own Remote Play pages explain Steam Remote Play support, the Android Steam Link app, and the Remote Play overview.