How to install Spotify on Steam Deck
Want to listen to some tunes?
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Valve’s Steam Deck is fantastic for portable PC gaming; that’s nothing new. Everything else you can do on the console increases its usefulness, like listening to your painstakingly curated playlists on Spotify. The handheld runs on Linux, so almost anything made for the open-source operating system works just fine, and we’ll show you exactly how you can install Spotify on Steam Deck to listen to your jams.
Before starting, any apps or games you install outside the official Steam Deck store will be on the internal storage,notyour microSD card or any other external drives. Be sure to check that you have enough space on the primary eMMC SSD, the size of which depends on which Steam Deck model you chose (64GB, 256GB, or 512GB).
How to install Spotify
You can download Spotify fromFlathub, an app store for Linux Flatpak archives, by using any desktop PC. It’s an option if you prefer to transfer files manually, but installing it directly onto the Steam Deck is much easier, thanks to the built-in Discover app store.
Alternatively, you can briefly hold down the power button to access the power menu a little faster. ASwitching to Desktop …notification will appear whichever method you choose. After a short wait, the Steam Deck will boot into its Linux desktop environment, just like you would expect on any regular PC.
Having to boot into desktop mode whenever you want to open Spotify is a little tedious. Follow these extra steps to have them appear in the regular SteamOS Deck UI alongside your usual library.
It might seem strange to have Spotify listed as a game, but it’s the best way to have fast access to the app on Steam Deck. Now you can listen to your playlists during long journeys, and it even runs perfectly in the background while playing games if you want to use one of thebest PC gaming headsets. If you sign up for a Spotify Premium subscription, you can also download playlists for offline listening during long flights without internet access.
Pick a pair of affordable wireless earbuds like theUGREEN HiTune X6 ANCto connect via Bluetooth, or splash out for something a little more premium like theRazer Hammerhead True Wireless Proset and enjoy some noise-canceling gaming on public transport. Either way, now you can enjoy your music on Spotify wherever your Steam Deck goes.
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Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.
