2 Easy Ways to Remote Play Steam Games on a Phone

Away from your desk but still want to play your Steam library? Remote streaming technology makes it possible!

With game streaming technology, the game runs on your PC while the visuals and audio are transmitted to your phone; simultaneously, your phone sends your input commands back to the PC. For most players, the easiest way to get started is by using Steam Link—Valve's official solution for streaming games to mobile devices. While it meets basic streaming needs, the actual experience often depends heavily on your network conditions, device performance, and the type of game you are playing.

If you require greater flexibility, you can also use third-party remote access tools to connect to your gaming PC. Some of these tools offer features specifically optimized for gaming, such as higher frame rates, controller button mapping, and customizable control layouts. This guide details both approaches and analyzes the scenarios best suited for each.

1. Use Steam Link to Remote Play Steam Games

Steam Link is an official application from Steam designed to stream games from your computer to other supported devices. If you own a Steam game library and primarily want to play those games on other screens, Steam Link is a convenient choice.

How to Set Up Steam Link

Step 1: Prepare your gaming PC

Turn on the computer where your Steam games are installed and open Steam. Make sure you are signed in to the account containing the games you want to play.

Step 2: Install Steam Link on your phone

Download the Steam Link app on your Android or iOS device.

Step 3: Enable Remote Play

On your gaming PC, open Steam and go to Settings → Remote Play. Make sure Remote Play is enabled.

Step 4: Pair your phone with the PC

Open Steam Link on your phone and follow the pairing instructions. Steam Link will search for available computers running Steam. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection.

Step 5: Choose a game

After the devices are connected, select a game from your Steam library and start streaming it to your phone.

Using a controller offers a more comfortable experience; Steam Link supports a wide range of controllers, though compatibility may vary depending on the device and operating system.

What Can Affect Steam Link Performance?

Steam Link makes streaming PC games to mobile devices easy, but the actual experience depends on the connection quality between the gaming PC and the mobile device. Network instability can lead to stuttering, blurriness, or input lag, while a heavy PC workload can also affect gameplay smoothness.

Steam Link is generally sufficient for casual gaming. However, if you seek higher frame rates, more flexible controls, or a wider range of gaming features, professional remote access solutions offer more options. If the Steam Link experience falls short of your gaming needs, consider using third-party tools.

2. Use a Remote Access Tool for a More Flexible Gaming Experience

Third-party remote access tools employ various approaches to combine PC remote access with game streaming capabilities, resulting in an enhanced gaming experience.

AweSun offers an alternative solution for playing Steam games remotely on your smartphone. The game runs on your PC, while your phone handles the remote connection and control, eliminating the need to install the game on your mobile device.

To enhance the mobile gaming experience on Android and iOS, AweSun features customizable virtual controls. Users can freely adjust the position and size of buttons, configure short-press and long-press actions, create macros for frequently used moves, and share their custom layouts. If you prefer not to configure the controls yourself, you can simply use layouts shared by other users.

Additionally, gamepad mapping and gaming mouse support provide further control options, making it easier and more convenient to play PC games on your phone.

How to Play Steam Games on a Phone with AweSun

Setting up AweSun for Steam games is relatively straightforward:

Playing Steam games with AweSun is a simple process:

1.Install AweSun on both devices. Download and install AweSun on the Windows PC where your Steam games are installed, and install the AweSun mobile app on your phone.

2.Connect to the gaming PC. Open AweSun on your phone and use the available remote access method to connect to the PC.

3.Launch Steam. Once connected, open Steam on the PC and launch the game you wish to play.

4.Configure controls. Use a compatible game controller or utilize AweSun's keyboard and controller mapping features to adjust the controls for mobile gameplay.

You will find the gaming experience better when using this method if you want more flexible control over how you stream and play PC games on your phone.

Tips for Better Remote Play Steam Gaming

Regardless of which method you use, a few adjustments can make remote gaming more comfortable.

Use a Reliable Network

A stable connection is more important than simply having a high advertised internet speed. Avoid heavily congested Wi-Fi networks when possible, and use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection or a wired connection for the gaming PC when available.

Keep Your Gaming PC Ready

Remote gaming requires the host computer to be available. If you regularly play while away from home, consider your PC's sleep and power settings so that it does not become unavailable when you need to connect.

Use a Controller for Controller-Friendly Games

Touch controls are not necessarily suitable for all games. Physical controllers can provide more precise input, especially for racing, action, and platform games.

Match Streaming Quality to Your Network

Higher resolutions and frame rates require greater bandwidth and stable transmission. If you experience stuttering or input lag, lowering the streaming quality may improve the overall experience.

Conclusion

Remote play allows you to extend your Steam gaming experience beyond your primary gaming rig. While Steam Link is a straightforward choice for streaming games from your PC, AweSun’s gaming-oriented features offer an alternative for playing PC games on your mobile phone if you prefer a more flexible setup.

You can explore AweSun’s remote gaming features to see if they suit your setup.

FAQ

Can I play Steam games on my phone without installing the games on it?

Yes. With remote game streaming, the game runs on your computer while the phone receives the video and audio stream. Your phone sends your controls back to the computer.

Does my PC need to stay on for Steam Remote Play?

Ideally, the computer running the game should remain powered on and accessible for remote connections. If you need to shut down the computer while away, it is best to set up AweSun along with its Q1 hardware, which allows you to power on the machine remotely from anywhere.

Can I use a controller to play Steam games on my phone?

Yes. A compatible controller can be used with supported remote gaming setups. A physical controller is often more comfortable than touchscreen controls for games that require precise or frequent inputs.

Why is Steam Remote Play lagging on my phone?

Lag can result from network congestion, an unstable Wi-Fi connection, high streaming settings, or performance limitations on the host computer. Try improving the connection or lowering streaming quality to see whether responsiveness improves.

Can I play non-Steam PC games remotely on my phone?

Yes, you can. Steam Link is primarily designed around Steam and its Remote Play ecosystem. Remote access tools like Awesun offer broader access to the PC, allowing you to launch other games and applications installed on the computer.

What FPS does AweSun support for remote gaming?

AweSun supports remote gaming at up to 144 FPS under supported conditions. Actual frame rate depends on factors such as the host computer, client device, network conditions, game, and selected settings.