I’ve done a lot with Plex over the years, but never have I run it on my Steam Deck. Since the device is effectively a handheld Linux PC, it’s possible to run the full Linux Plex desktop application on it and access media the same way you would on a computer.
In my latest monthly sponsored Plex video, I step through installing and running both the Plex and Plex HTPC clients and demonstrated them running on the Steam Deck.
The process starts in the Steam Deck’s desktop mode rather than its usual gaming interface. From there, I went into the Discover app store, searched for Plex, and chose the desktop version instead of the HTPC edition initially.
The desktop app supports media downloads for offline viewing, which the HTPC version doesn’t, so it made more sense for someone planning to take content on the go. After installing it, I found the app under the multimedia section, signed into my Plex account, and confirmed everything worked.
To integrate Plex into the handheld’s regular Steam interface, I opened the Steam client in desktop mode and added Plex as a non-Steam game using the little plus icon at the bottom of the library interface. Once added, I rebooted back into gaming mode, and Plex appeared in the library under the non-Steam tab. I wasn’t able to make the icon show up properly, though I’m sure there’s a method tucked away in the settings somewhere. Even without the icon, the app launches like any other game.
Running the desktop version inside gaming mode takes a little control adjustment. The trackpads can work as a mouse, and Steam’s controller templates can remap the controls however you want. I set mine to a simple mouse-only profile, though the touchscreen works too. Navigating Plex this way feels natural enough, and the download option appears just as it does on other desktop platforms for Plex Pass users. My Steam Deck is one of the originals that doesn’t have an HDR display, and with only a 720p resolution, it makes sense to choose smaller download sizes when storage is at a premium.
Playback was smooth in my testing. A 4K Blu-ray rip of Jurassic Park—a Dolby Vision disc—played back without issue over my LAN, tone-mapped appropriately, and looked fine on the Deck’s display. Local network streaming especially felt quick and responsive. As a client device, the hardware seems more than up to the task. I wouldn’t run a Plex server on it, though; the AMD processor in the Deck doesn’t support hardware transcoding, and the whole idea of carrying a server around isn’t practical anyway. But if you wanted to do it there’s no restriction on it.
For those who prefer a TV-style layout, the Plex HTPC app installs from the same app store and works as expected. It responds quickly, though like the desktop app it requires a bit of controller mapping for navigation. The tradeoff is that it doesn’t support offline downloads. Depending on how you like to use Plex, either app may be the better fit.
What surprised me most is how naturally the Steam Deck functions as a portable media player once everything is set up. Since many people already travel with the device to play games, adding Plex creates another use case without much effort. And with all the power packed into the hardware, it behaves very much like a small PC that happens to have a built-in screen.
If you’d like more Plex topics explored in future posts or videos, feel free to suggest them. I’m always collecting ideas as I work through this series.
Disclosure: This video was sponsored by Plex, however they did not review or approve it prior to uploading.