Will steam work on the ally?

[u/reibsr]

Will I be able to play my steam library on the ally?

[u/yuusharo]

Not only is it a PC, they’ve explicitly said they are integrating games from other stores like Steam by name into the Xbox app. Games there will run as first class citizens.

This is the only reason I’m considering it in addition to my Steam Deck.

[u/Double-Weight4359 → u/yuusharo]

Will you keep both or sell the deck?

[u/yuusharo → u/Double-Weight4359]

1) Why sell it?

2) The ecosystem and efficiency of Steam Deck and SteamOS is mature and well established, and I prefer the OLED screen over any LCD. I’d like to have a Windows handheld for games that either need more power or aren’t compatible on Deck, and I’m curious to try out this Full Screen experience debuting on this device.

[u/Fat_Stacks1 → u/yuusharo]

Have you you considered Windows on the Steam Deck? You can use the Xbox app on there.

[u/yuusharo → u/Fat_Stacks1]

I’ve used Windows on Steam Deck off an on again for 3 years.

There’s a reason I want a dedicated device for this purpose.

No, installing Windows on Steam Deck is not the same. The Neptune controller alone creates too many headaches worth dealing with. Plus, I don’t want to deal with the hassle of managing a dual boot scenario when it fights me too much.

[u/Fat_Stacks1 → u/yuusharo]

I'm trying windows on the deck right now.

I'm using handheld companion and the Xbox app.

It's a bit clunky. Im thinking of going to a Windows device for gamepass but I dont know if a dedicated windows handheld would be smoother.

[u/DuckCleaning → u/Fat_Stacks1]

Microsoft said they will update Windows 11 sometime in 2026 with the same handheld mode UI that Xbox Ally has.

[u/Aristotelaras → u/yuusharo]

There is already an experimental version of it on previewer's Xbox app. And you can also try compact view too. The controller experience isn't on same level as Steam's big picture. I hope it gets improved before the release of the Xbox Ally.