The Steam Deck has gotten one of its most requested features ever in a surprise update. First released in 2022, the Steam Deck has become a popular solution for PC gaming on the go, allowing players to access large swathes of the Steam catalog from anywhere in the world. It may have more competitors today, but it’s still going strong with regular updates.

The latest of those updates, according to Steam, has now added one of the handheld’s most demanded features ever: the ability to download games while in sleep mode (i.e., with the screen off). Players have raised concerns about the Steam Deck’s screen-on requirement since the console was released, but it took almost four years for their prayers to be answered.

You Can Finally Download Steam Deck Games In Sleep Mode

How It Works

The latest Steam Deck update, which allows players to download games in sleep mode, is now available to players using the handheld’s client in Beta or Preview mode. Valve is openly soliciting opinions on the new feature, and will likely roll it out to the entire player base after some time.

In order to use the new feature, you’ll first have to set your console to Beta or Preview by navigating to Settings > System and toggling Beta Participation on. It should begin downloading the update immediately; you may be required to restart your Steam Deck to install it.

From then on, whenever you’re downloading a game or update, you can press the power button to bring up a new menu. This will include the option to “continue downloading with the screen off.” The Steam Deck will also go into sleep mode while downloading games after a period of idle time.

Once it’s in sleep mode, you can move the Steam Deck or press any button to display a minimal download progress screen (pictured above). You can then either turn off sleep mode to continue using your Steam Deck as normal, or turn the screen off once again.

This Has Been The Steam Deck’s Most Requested Feature

Why Players Demanded Sleep Mode Downloads

Steam Deck next to a Switch and an Asus ROG Ally

Steam Deck players have lodged complaints about the console’s always-on-while-downloading requirements since its release, citing two major concerns.

For one thing, having the screen on during a lengthy download can kill the Steam Deck’s battery, ensuring that you need to plug it back in as soon as your new game is ready to play. The Deck’s battery life has never been one of its advantages to begin with, so downloading on the go was basically a nonstarter.

In addition, the upgraded Steam Deck uses an OLED screen, which is prone to image burn-in, especially when a static image remains on the screen for a prolonged period of time. Many players expressed concern that leaving their screens on during a lengthy download could damage the console.

Thankfully, those concerns are now a thing of the past — although we can’t fully guarantee a huge download won’t still drain your battery. Even so, this is a major update to the Steam Deck, addressing one of the most common player concerns.