This guide will walk you through installing Steam Link on Zorin OS 18, allowing you to stream games from your gaming PC to any device on your local network. Whether you want to play your favorite PC games from the comfort of your couch or in another room, Steam Link makes it possible with minimal setup.
What is Steam Link?
Steam Link is Valve's game streaming solution that lets you play your Steam games on different devices throughout your home. By streaming from a more powerful computer running Steam, you can enjoy your PC gaming library on less powerful devices, extending your gaming experience beyond your desk. The technology uses your local network to transmit video, audio, and input with impressively low latency, making it feel like you're playing directly on the host machine.
Why Use Flatpak for Installation?
For this installation, we'll be using Flatpak, a universal package management system for Linux. Flatpak offers several advantages: it provides sandboxed applications for better security, ensures you're getting the latest version directly from the developers, and eliminates dependency conflicts that can sometimes occur with traditional package managers. Once Flatpak is configured on your system, you'll have access to thousands of applications through Flathub, Linux's largest app repository.
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Installation Steps
The installation process consists of two simple steps. First, we'll add the Flathub repository to your system (if it's not already configured), and then we'll install Steam Link itself. The entire process should only take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection speed.
Step 1: Add the Flathub Repository
Before we can install Steam Link via Flatpak, we need to ensure that the Flathub repository is available on your system. This repository hosts thousands of applications packaged in the Flatpak format. Open your terminal and run the following command:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThe --if-not-exists flag ensures that this command won't cause any issues if you've already added Flathub previously. You'll be prompted to enter your password to authorize the addition of this repository.
Step 2: Install Steam Link
Now that Flathub is configured, installing Steam Link is straightforward. Run this command in your terminal:
sudo flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.SteamLinkThe system will download Steam Link and any required dependencies. You may be asked to confirm the installation by typing 'y' and pressing Enter. Once complete, you'll find Steam Link in your applications menu, ready to launch.
Getting Started with Steam Link
After installation, launch Steam Link from your applications menu. You'll need to have Steam running on another computer on the same network. The Steam Link app will automatically scan for available computers running Steam. Simply select your gaming PC from the list, and follow the on-screen pairing instructions. You may want to connect a game controller to your Zorin OS device for the best gaming experience.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter issues connecting to your gaming PC, ensure both devices are on the same network and that your firewall isn't blocking the connection. Steam uses ports 27031 and 27036 (UDP) for streaming, so you may need to configure your firewall accordingly. Additionally, a wired ethernet connection will provide the best streaming performance, though 5GHz Wi-Fi typically works well for most games.
Additional Resources
Flatpak Application Page:
https://flathub.org/apps/com.valvesoftware.SteamLink
Official Steam Link Information:
https://store.steampowered.com/steamlink/about/
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