NVIDIA GeForce NOW Native App Launches for Steam Deck with 4K Gaming Support

NVIDIA has officially launched a native GeForce NOW app for the Steam Deck, allowing users to stream high-performance PC games directly on their handheld device without the usual setup complications.

Previously, Steam Deck owners could only access GeForce NOW through a web browser. While functional, it required more manual adjustments and offered a less polished experience. With the new native app, players can now stream games directly from the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode, simplifying the entire process.

According to NVIDIA’s announcement via its official blog, the native app allows users to play games in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second when docked to a TV. Supported titles can also benefit from technologies like HDR10, DLSS 4 upscaling, and NVIDIA Reflex, offering a high-end gaming experience powered by the cloud.

One of the key benefits of streaming via GeForce NOW is improved battery life. Since the heavy processing happens on cloud servers rather than the device itself, battery usage is significantly reduced—by as much as 50%, according to NVIDIA. This also eliminates the need to worry about storage limitations, game updates, or performance drops on the Steam Deck.

With a GeForce NOW Ultimate subscription, players get access to an RTX 4080-grade performance in the cloud. Even the mid-tier Performance plan offers a solid experience for most games.

Currently, the service supports over 2,200 titles from platforms like Steam, Epic Games, Ubisoft, Xbox, and Battle.net, including more than 180 PC Game Pass titles.

Installing the app is straightforward: users need to switch to Desktop Mode on their Steam Deck, download the GeForce NOW installer from NVIDIA’s website, and follow the setup instructions. Once installed, the app appears under the “Non-Steam” section in the user's Steam Library.

To enhance control options, users can customize Steam’s controller layout for better mouse and trackpad performance. Additionally, GeForce NOW allows the use of external controllers, although users may need to reorder controller priority for compatibility with certain games.

For long-time Steam Deck users, the arrival of a proper cloud gaming option comes at a critical time. As newer handhelds like the ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go gain traction with better hardware, Steam Deck’s limitations in handling newer titles like Avowed and Oblivion Remastered have become more apparent. Games that are technically "Steam Deck Verified" haven’t always performed well, leading to frustration among players.

With minimal latency and support for high-end graphics, the GeForce NOW app has become an essential addition for those looking to extend their handheld gaming experience.

The service ranges from a free tier—with limited access—to a premium $20/month Ultimate tier.