In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Steam Link on Ubuntu 24.04. Steam Link is a powerful tool that allows you to stream your Steam games from your gaming PC to other devices on your local network, including other computers, smartphones, or smart TVs.

What is Steam Link?

Steam Link is a technology developed by Valve Corporation that enables you to play your Steam games on various devices by streaming them from a host computer. This means you can enjoy your favorite PC games on a laptop, tablet, or even your living room TV without moving your gaming rig.

Installation Process

We'll be using Flatpak to install Steam Link. Flatpak is a next-generation technology for building and distributing desktop applications on Linux. It provides a sandboxed environment for applications, ensuring better security and compatibility across different Linux distributions.

Here's a step-by-step guide to install Steam Link:

1. Install Flatpak

First, we need to install Flatpak on your Ubuntu system. Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt install flatpak

2. Add the Flathub Repository

Flathub is the central repository for Flatpak applications. Add it to your system with this command:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3. Install Steam Link

Now that we have Flatpak and Flathub set up, we can install Steam Link:

sudo flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.SteamLink

Launching Steam Link

After installation, you can launch Steam Link from your application menu or by using the command line. Look for "Steam Link" in your applications or run it from the terminal with:

flatpak run com.valvesoftware.SteamLink

Setting Up Steam Link

When you first launch Steam Link, you'll need to pair it with your host PC. Ensure both devices are on the same network, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. You may need to enter a PIN displayed on your host PC to establish the connection.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If you experience lag or poor streaming quality, try using a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi on both the host PC and the device running Steam Link.
• Make sure your host PC meets the minimum requirements for Steam Link, including a quad-core CPU and a GPU that supports hardware encoding.
• Check that your router supports and has enabled UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) for the best streaming experience.

Additional Resources

For more information about Steam Link and its capabilities, visit the official Steam Link website:

https://store.steampowered.com/steamlink/about/

To explore more Flatpak applications, check out the Flathub website:

https://flathub.org/apps/com.valvesoftware.SteamLink

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide on installing and using Steam Link, check out our video tutorial:

We hope this guide helps you get started with Steam Link on your Ubuntu system. Happy gaming!