More than three years after its launch, the Steam Deck is getting a highly anticipated feature that will allow users to complete all downloads in a new low-power mode with the screen turned off. The feature is rolling out to Steam Deck owners in the Beta and Preview channels and should eventually become widely available.
Before the new update, downloads and updates on the Steam Deck required the device to be powered on with the screen on, consuming more battery power. Steam Deck users have long requested an update that would allow downloads to occur in the background while the screen is off. The new feature does exactly that.
Valve confirmed the update in a blog post on Steam on Wednesday, and it’s currently available in the Beta and Preview channels. The new Display Off Low Power Download Mode will allow users to continue all active downloads at low power with the screen off, and then the device will go to sleep.
Steam Deck shows off low-power download mode details
Valve says the feature will be enabled by default when the Steam Deck is powered on. Steam Deck users can also manually enable it while on battery power Settings > Power.
Once the user has started the download, they can activate the off-display download by tapping the power button, which will pop up a new dialog box asking the user if they want to continue the download with the screen off. Selecting “Continue” will put the device into a new low-power download mode. Or users can start downloading directly and have the Steam Deck automatically enter low-power mode after an idle timeout.
While the Steam Deck is downloading with the screen off, pressing the power button or mobile device will pop up a new status screen showing download progress. From here, users can fully wake up their Steam Deck or have it continue all downloads in screen-off mode.
Showing downloads off will work when the Steam Deck is plugged in or in battery mode. If the battery level drops below 20% when not connected to a power source, the device will automatically enter full sleep mode, pausing downloads.
