Valve has released a new Steam Deck Beta Client update with several interface and system changes, including a new Big Art Mode for the home screen, customizable screensavers, and an option to boot directly into Desktop Mode.
The September 9, 2026 update also improves compatibility settings, Remote Play behavior, Steam Input performance, download speeds on high latency connections, and several areas of the in game overlay.
The changes are currently available through the Beta and Preview update channels rather than the stable branch.
Big Art Mode changes the Steam Deck home screen
The most visible addition is Big Art Mode, which can be enabled from the Home section in Settings.
This option increases the size and prominence of game artwork on the home screen, giving the interface a more console focused appearance.
Valve has also added the Personal Calendar to the Recommended tab, giving players another way to see upcoming or relevant activity directly from the home interface.
| Feature | What changed |
|---|---|
| Big Art Mode | Enlarges game artwork on the home screen |
| Screensavers | Adds game art, screenshot, logo, and custom options |
| Desktop boot | Can start directly in Desktop Mode |
| Personal Calendar | Added to the Recommended tab |
| Compatibility tool menu | Now always visible |
| Remote Play | Remote downloads no longer require a PIN |
| Steam Input | Improved runtime and configuration loading CPU performance |
| Downloading | Better speeds on high latency connections |
Steam Deck now supports screensavers
A new screensaver system is available under Settings and Customization.
The default option displays a slideshow using artwork from recently played games and recent screenshots.
Valve has also included a retro style bouncing logo screensaver.
Custom screensavers are supported as well. Similar to custom startup movies, files can be placed in the Steam configuration directory reserved for screensaver overrides.
The update also reorganizes idle timer settings for battery and AC power use.
SteamOS can now boot directly into Desktop Mode
A new Default to Desktop Mode toggle has been added to System settings.
When enabled, the device can start directly in Desktop Mode rather than entering the usual gaming interface first.
This could be particularly useful on SteamOS systems being used more like conventional PCs, including Steam Machine style setups connected to monitors, keyboards, and mice.
Valve has also added confirmation prompts before switching to Desktop Mode or exiting VR. Sleep no longer uses the same confirmation step.
If an active game would be shut down by one of these actions, the confirmation screen now provides a clearer warning.
Compatibility controls become easier to access
Valve has made several changes to game compatibility settings.
The Select compatibility tool menu is now always visible rather than appearing only in certain situations.
Recommended options are placed at the top as the Default choice, including the Steam runtime for native games.
Compatibility aliases such as Proton Stable can also be selected directly.
Valve also fixed a problem where some Windows games could appear as Not Compatible until a Proton version was manually selected.
SteamOS compatibility dialogs can now appear in Desktop Mode when installing games that are not verified for the current hardware.
Performance and Steam Input also receive improvements
The update includes CPU performance improvements for Steam Input both during runtime and while loading configurations.
The configurator browser now provides more information about which layouts are compatible with games using the Steam Input API.
Valve also fixed incorrect controller support information for unreleased games and addressed a problem where controllers did not use the desktop configuration on the login screen.
Additional controls have been added for adjusting emulated joystick adaptive centering when using a trackpad.
Remote Play and recording receive several fixes
Remote Play no longer requires a PIN when downloading an application to another device. A PIN is still required when installing and streaming from that system.
Remote downloads initiated from the current device can also generate a download complete notification.
Game Recording receives fixes for timeline playback that could jump unexpectedly at the end of a session or clip.
Valve also reduced the performance impact of recording some Direct3D 12 games on Windows.
The in game overlay now has fixes for frame rate hitches when taking screenshots in Direct3D 11 and Direct3D 12 games. Vulkan games that create multiple windows should also handle the overlay, screenshots, and recording more reliably.
The update remains part of the Steam Deck Beta Client, so these features may receive additional changes before they reach the stable release channel.
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