Valve has rolled out a new beta update for the Steam Deck that lets the handheld finish active downloads with the screen off to save power. It's enabled by default when plugged into a charger, and you can turn it on for battery use in Settings, under Power.
The feature kicks in after an idle period while something is downloading, and the Steam Deck will drop into full sleep if the battery falls below 20%, even if a download is still running.
Why it gives Steam Deck an edge over the Xbox Ally
Not being able to download with the display off properly on my ROG Ally has always been annoying, and I am sure others with an Xbox Ally, or any Windows-based handheld, feel the same. You can set the display to turn off and keep apps running in Windows, but it requires extra steps and never feels seamless.
Steam Deck’s new display-off, low-power download mode should really help anyone who needs to leave big installs running overnight, especially if you have a slower connection. It is a small change, but it adds a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade for the handheld.
When a download is active and you tap a button or move a trigger, the Deck briefly wakes to show progress before the screen turns off again. It is a clean, console-like behavior.
This kind of update shows how Valve continues to refine the Steam Deck experience in ways that feel tailored to portable play, rather than forcing desktop behaviours into a handheld shell. SteamOS keeps gaining thoughtful features that make living with the device easier, especially for players who travel or install big games often.
If Valve keeps layering on quality-of-life improvements like this, the Deck will remain a very compelling option for anyone deciding between a dedicated handheld OS or a Windows-powered machine.
That said, if Microsoft can push further with the Xbox Ally and bring Windows closer to a true console-style handheld experience, it could be a real turning point. It already feels like progress is happening, and I would love to see a handheld future where Windows matches SteamOS for simplicity and polish.
FAQ
What is the new display-off download mode on Steam Deck?
It lets the Steam Deck finish active downloads with the screen off to save power. It behaves more like a console standby mode, keeping downloads running quietly in the background.
How do I enable the new download mode on Steam Deck?
It is on by default when the Deck is plugged in. To enable it on battery, go to Settings, then Power, and toggle the option. You can also trigger it by pressing the power button during a download and choosing to continue with the screen off.
Does this work on the stable channel yet?
Not yet. It is currently available in the Beta and Preview channels and will roll out to the stable SteamOS channel after testing.
Will the Steam Deck stop downloading if the battery gets low?
Yes. If you are using the feature on battery, the Deck will enter full sleep mode when the battery level drops below 20% to avoid draining completely.
Can the Xbox Ally or other Windows handhelds do this?
Not in the same seamless way. You can disable the display manually in Windows and keep apps running, but it is not as smooth or handheld-friendly as the Deck’s new built-in mode.
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