How to Watch Movies on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is an excellent handheld gaming console. However, it’s not just for gaming. It doubles up as a versatile portable entertainment device that allows you to watch movies and videos on the go. Whether you want to stream content online or watch movies offline, the Steam Deck has got you covered.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to watch your favorite movies on Steam Deck. What’s more? You can also use the Steam Deck to stream content on a bigger display. So, let’s get straight to the process.

Watch YouTube, Netflix, or Other Streaming Websites on Steam Deck

The best way to watch movies and videos on the Steam Deck is online. While you can’t install dedicated apps for streaming websites, you can access them via a web browser. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Ensure your Steam Deck is connected to the Internet. To do that, press the Steam button on your console. In the menu that pops up, select Settings.

Step 2: Now, tap on the Internet option from the sidebar. Then, connect to a Wi-Fi of your choice.

Step 3: Next, enter the Desktop Mode. For that, press the Steam button on your console and select the Power option.

Step 4: Select ‘Switch to Desktop’ from the pop-up list.

Step 5: Next, launch a web browser. By default, the Steam Deck has the Mozilla Firefox browser installed. To access it, tap on the Application Launcher icon and navigate to Internet > Firefox Web Browser.

Step 6: Now, in the address bar, enter the URL of the streaming website you wish to access.

Tip: You can access any website like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or YouTube. For this guide, we’ll be using Netflix.

Step 7: Once the streaming website opens, log in using your account credentials. Alternatively, you can sign up for the website.

Step 8: After logging into your account, start watching movies. If the website requires you to enable DRM, you’ll get a notification at the top. Simply click on Enable DRM to proceed.

Step 9: That’s it. Now, refresh the webpage and enjoy your movie, TV show, or any video on your Steam Deck.

Which Streaming Services Are Compatible With Steam Deck

Speaking of streaming websites, you may be wondering which streaming services you can actually access on the Steam Deck. The good news is that the Steam Deck in its Desktop Mode functions like a normal desktop. As a result, you can access any streaming service through the web browser as long as it is supported in your location. Some of the popular streaming services Steam Deck supports are:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+
• HBO Max
• YouTube
• Apple TV+
• Crunchyroll
• Funimation
• Twitch
• Vimeo

Besides this, if there’s a video hosting website out there, you can easily access it using the web browser on your Steam Deck.

Watch Offline Movies and Videos on Steam Deck

If you don’t have an internet connection or prefer watching movies offline, you can also watch movies on Steam Deck that are stored on your device’s internal storage or an external storage device. To watch offline movies on Steam Deck, you must download a media player app.

There are several media player apps available for Steam Deck. We will go with VLC media player for illustration.

Step 1: Open the Application Launcher and navigate to All Applications > Discover.

Step 2: Click on the Search section at the top. Type the name of the media player you wish to install and search for it. We’ll use VLC.

Step 3: From the search results, select VLC media player. Click on Install to proceed.

Alternatively, if you are browsing this website from your Steam Deck, click the button below to download VLC on your Steam Deck directly.

Download VLC media player

Step 4: Now that VLC is installed on your Steam Deck, it’s time to transfer media to your console. You can do this by downloading videos from a cloud storage service.

Alternatively, you can transfer data using an external storage such as a microSD card.

Step 5: Once you have the media loaded, launch VLC. To do that, open the Application Launcher and navigate to Multimedia > VLC media player.

Step 6: Inside the VLC media player, click the Media option in the menu bar. Then, select the ‘Open File…’ option.

Step 7: Now, navigate to the folder containing the video file you want to play. Once done, highlight it and click on Open.

And that’s it. Your offline video file will now play inside the VLC media player.

List of Best Media Players for Steam Deck

Apart from VLC, there are plenty of media players for Steam Deck. Additionally, there are media managers that you can use to organize and view your media library. Some of the best media players for the Steam Deck are as follows:

• VLC Media Player
• SMPlayer
• Haruna Media Player
• PlasmaTube
• MPV
• Kodi
• Plex

Other than that, you can check out Elisa, Amberol, and Vvave media players if you prefer listening to music files. Alternatively, Kasts is a great app for listening to podcasts on the Steam Deck.

Watch Movies on a Bigger Display With Steam Deck

If you want to watch movies on a bigger display, connect your Steam Deck to a TV or monitor. To do this, you will need a USB-C to HDMI cable. Alternatively, you can use a Steam Deck dock as well. Once the cable is connected, select the display output option as you like.

Once done, you can playback the media file on your TV, monitor, or any other external display connected to the Steam Deck.

FAQs on Watching Movies on Steam Deck

1. Can I install Kodi on my Steam Deck?

Yes, you can install Kodi on your Steam Deck. Kodi is a free and open-source media player that can be used to organize and play your movies, TV shows, music, and other media. You can install Kodi on your Steam Deck from the Discover Store app.

2. What resolution is supported by Netflix on Steam Deck?

Netflix on Steam Deck is currently limited to 720p resolution. This is due to DRM restrictions that Netflix has in place. However, considering the Steam Deck has an 800p display, this shouldn’t make a massive difference in quality.

3. Can you use a Steam Deck as a PC?

Yes, you can use a Steam Deck as a PC. It runs on a Linux-based operating system (Steam OS) and can install various apps, including web browsers, office suites, and media players. However, it is not as powerful as a traditional PC and may not be suitable for all tasks.

4. Can Steam Deck run Chrome?

While the Steam Deck comes with Firefox pre-installed, you can install the Google Chrome browser. Search for the same on the Discovery Store app and download it on your Steam Deck.

Use Steam Deck for Entertainment

The Steam Deck is not just a gaming device; it’s a versatile entertainment companion to enjoy your favorite movies and videos wherever you are. Whether you’re streaming online movies or watching offline videos, the Steam Deck has the features and flexibility to meet your entertainment needs. We hope this guide helped you use the Steam Deck to its full entertainment potential.

Categories: How to
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