Valve has released a new set of updates for the Steam Deck, rolling out to both the Stable and Preview/Beta channels on April 28 and April 29, 2026. These updates focus on improving usability, expanding features, and fixing long-standing issues across the Steam client and SteamOS.
Steam Deck Chat Improvements and Quick Chat Feature
One of the most notable additions is the overhaul of Steam Chat on Steam Deck. Chat has now been integrated directly into the Quick Access Menu, allowing players to access conversations more easily while in-game.
Valve also introduced a new Quick Chat system designed for fast communication. Players can bring up preset messages by holding the View button, selecting with the thumbstick, and releasing to send. These messages can be customized in the settings menu, making it easier to communicate without interrupting gameplay.
Additional fixes ensure smoother chat usage, including resolving issues where chat history would fail to load and preventing unwanted focus jumps while scrolling.
Remote Downloads Management Now Available
A major new feature in this update is Remote Downloads Management. This allows users to manage downloads across multiple Steam devices directly from the Steam Deck.
Players can switch between devices from the downloads page and monitor installation progress remotely. The feature works across both local and remote clients, provided they are updated to the latest version.
Controller and Input Enhancements
Valve continues to refine controller support with several improvements:
New pop-up notifications when controllers connect or disconnect Improved "Add a Controller" interface Redesigned controller settings menu for better navigation