Can You Play Fortnite on Steam Deck? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Fortnite is one of the most popular battle royale games worldwide, attracting millions of players across various platforms. The Steam Deck, Valve's handheld gaming PC, has opened new possibilities for portable gaming since its release.

The Steam Deck runs SteamOS 3, a Linux-based operating system designed specifically for gaming. It features hardware comparable to mid-range gaming PCs, including an AMD custom APU that combines CPU and GPU functions, approximately 16 GB of RAM, a touch display, and built-in controllers. This powerful combination allows the device to run hundreds of supported Steam games, including demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin's Creed: Shadows.

However, many users wonder if they can play games from other platforms, particularly Epic Games' Fortnite, which isn't available through Steam's storefront. In this article, we'll explore the possibility of playing Fortnite on Steam Deck and provide you with a step-by-step guide to make it happen.

Also Read: How to Get Free V-Bucks in Fortnite (2025)

Can You Play Fortnite on Steam Deck?

Yes, you can play Fortnite on Steam Deck, but there's no direct method since the game isn't available on Steam. Epic Games' Fortnite requires alternative approaches to run on Valve's handheld device.

The main challenge stems from Fortnite's anti-cheat system, Easy Anti-Cheat, which doesn't support Linux-based systems, such as SteamOS 3. Fortunately, several workarounds allow you to play Fortnite on your Steam Deck:

1. Xbox Cloud Gaming

2. GeForce Now

3. Installing Windows on Steam Deck

Each method comes with distinct advantages and drawbacks. We'll guide you through every method, exploring the pros and cons of each approach so you can choose the best solution for your gaming needs.

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1. Xbox Cloud Gaming

Xbox Cloud Gaming is Microsoft's cloud-gaming service that lets you play Xbox console games and Game Pass library titles on devices you already own, including phones, tablets, PCs, and smart TVs. You don't need a physical Xbox console since the actual game runs on Microsoft's remote servers. Your device sends input commands through controllers or touch controls, while Microsoft streams back the video and audio of the game in real-time.

This service works seamlessly on Steam Deck through the device's web browser, making it one of the most accessible ways to play Fortnite without complex setup procedures.

Pros:

• You get access to many games via Game Pass Ultimate

• Instant access with no big downloads or installs required

• You can switch between devices and continue playing where you left off

Cons:

• Input lag and visual lag are possible, especially with weak internet connections

• You need the game to be supported in the cloud library; not all titles are available

• Requires a stable internet connection for consistent gameplay

• Video quality depends entirely on your connection speed

Xbox Cloud Gaming offers the quickest route to playing Fortnite on Steam Deck, but your experience will vary significantly based on your internet connection quality and proximity to Microsoft's servers.

Also Read: How to Restart Fortnite on Consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo)

2. GeForce Now

GeForce Now is Nvidia's cloud gaming service that provides another viable option for playing Fortnite on the Steam Deck. The service lets you stream PC games you already own from platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and others, plus access to free-to-play titles like Fortnite. You don't pay Nvidia for most games since you use your existing library from other platforms.

The service operates on a tiered system with free and paid options. Higher tiers offer better hardware access, including advanced GPUs, priority server access, higher resolution streaming up to 4K, ray tracing capabilities, and ultra-low latency features, depending on your plan and server availability.

GeForce Now works through your Steam Deck's web browser or dedicated apps, connecting you to Nvidia's powerful gaming servers that handle all the processing while streaming the results back to your device.

Pros:

• Play on almost any device, including low-end PCs, Macs, tablets, phones, smart TVs, and Chromebooks

• Use your existing game library without repurchasing titles you already own on Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, and other platforms

• Offers a free tier with limitations and various paid tiers for enhanced performance and priority access

Cons:

• Connection quality directly affects performance, causing lag, frame drops, and resolution drops with poor internet

• Session time limits and wait queues on free and lower tiers, with free accounts typically limited to one-hour sessions and possible server wait times

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3. Installing Windows on Steam Deck

Installing Windows directly on your Steam Deck provides the most comprehensive solution for playing Fortnite and other non-Steam games. This method gives you full Windows functionality with native performance, eliminating the internet dependency and latency issues associated with cloud gaming.

The installation process requires some technical preparation, but results in a complete Windows experience on your handheld device. You can choose between installing Windows on a microSD card for dual-boot capability or replacing SteamOS entirely on the internal SSD.

Here's the step-by-step process for installing Windows on Steam Deck:

1. Download Required Files: Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, Rufus software for creating bootable media, and Steam Deck Windows drivers from Valve's support page.

2. Create Windows Installation Media: Use the Windows Media Creation Tool to download the Windows 10 or 11 ISO file, then use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with at least 16GB of storage.

3. Prepare Steam Deck Drivers: Download the official Steam Deck Windows drivers and place them on a separate USB drive for easy access during installation.

4. Access Boot Manager: Power down your Steam Deck completely, then hold the Volume Down button while pressing the Power button until you hear the startup chime to enter the boot manager.

5. Select USB Boot Option: Connect your USB installation drive through a USB-C hub and select it from the boot menu options displayed on screen.

6. Install Windows: Follow the Windows installation prompts, select custom installation, choose your target drive (microSD card or internal SSD), and complete the setup process.

7. Fix Screen Orientation: After Windows boots, navigate to Settings > System > Display > Display Orientation and change from Portrait to Landscape mode.

8. Install Steam Deck Drivers: Connect your driver USB and install all necessary drivers, including graphics, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio drivers, to ensure full functionality.

Once Windows installation is complete, you can install Epic Games Launcher directly from Epic's website, download Fortnite, and play it without any compatibility issues. The Steam Deck's AMD Zen 2 APU and 16GB of RAM provide sufficient performance to run Windows 11 and demanding games smoothly.

This method gives you access to the entire Windows software ecosystem, meaning you can install Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and any other gaming platforms or applications you need.

Final Words

Playing Fortnite on Steam Deck requires workarounds since the game isn't natively supported on SteamOS. Cloud gaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now offers quick access but depends on your internet connection. Installing Windows provides the best performance and full compatibility, but requires more technical setup.

Choose cloud gaming for convenience or Windows installation for optimal performance. Each method works effectively depending on your needs and technical comfort level.

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