Minecraft is a popular game that can be played on many different platforms, including the Steam Deck. Since the Steam Deck is a native Linux device, it can run all the games that a normal Windows PC can. However, installing and playing Minecraft on your Steam Deck device is not the same as one would do on a PC. This article will guide you through the process. Let’s start by getting to know Minecraft a little.

Installing and Playing Minecraft on Steam Deck

Installing Minecraft on your Steam Deck is a simple process. Just follow our guide, and you will be set to go.

Power on your Steam Deck device.
Hold down the power button to launch the desktop mode.
Go to Discover (located on the bottom left of the screen).
Go to the search bar and type in “polymc”.
Download the polymc app.
After the download has been completed, go to the start menu.
Search for polymc and open the app.
The installation process will now initiate.
After the app has been installed, you will have to add an account.

Once you have installed and added your account, it’s time for the next part.

Open the Steam client app.
Click on the “Games” tab on the top-left of the screen.
Select “Add a non-steam game.”
Scroll down till you find polymc.
Tick the box on the left.
Click on the “Add selected game” option.
Now, go to your Steam library.
Scroll down till you find the polymc app.
Click on it.
Click on the settings icon.
Click on manage and then on the Controler Layout option.
Select a controller layout or customize your own.

These are all the setups required to play Minecraft on your Steam Deck with optimum efficiency. You may now run the ploymc app and enjoy playing Minecraft.

How to Run a Modded Minecraft on Steam Deck

Here are the steps to run the modded version of Minecraft with ease.

Power on your Steam Deck device.
Hold down the power button to launch the desktop mode.
Go to Discover (located on the bottom left of the screen).
Search for “gdlauncher” from the search bar.
Download and install the app.
Go to the Start Menu.
Search for gdlauncher and open the app.
There should be a prompt on the screen if you do not have the required Java version on your device.
Click on the Automatic setup option. Do not use the manual setup unless you are confident of what you are getting into.
After Java has been installed, you will have to sign in.
After you have signed in successfully, click on the settings icon in the top right section.
Go to the Java section.
Raise the Java Memory consumption since modded Minecraft usually requires more memory than normal ones.
Now, go back to General settings.
Scroll down till the very last settings.
Toggle on the “Hide launcher while playing” option.

With these setup configurations, you are good to go.

How Does It Run on Steam Deck?

Both the Bedrock edition and the Java edition of Minecraft run extremely well on Steam Deck. The ideal graphics settings for the gameplay are a 60 Hz of refresh rate and 1280*800 screen resolution. You can play the game for about 6 hours in this setting. The rendering distance is 12 chunks, even when the output is only 4 watts.

Most of the issues we’ve ever encountered with console versions of the game are resolved when playing this game on a controller paired with the Steam Deck’s touch pads. Minecraft crafting is now much easier, you can utilize the touchpad to put bricks precisely when necessary, and the joystick performs admirably throughout typical games.

We’ve only seen sporadic display flickering and difficulty writing in chat since you can not really see what you’re writing. Both of those will likely be discussed eventually, and updates will arrive.

Can I Play Minecraft with Friends on Steam Deck?

Yes, you can play Minecraft with your friends on Steam Deck. Minecraft runs on your Steam Deck the same way it would run on a Windows device, so you can do everything you can on your Windows device.

Can I Make Mods Pack in Minecraft on Steam Deck?

Yes, you can make mods packs in Minecraft on Steam Deck, as it is a Linux-based device. But it can prove to be a hassle because it requires a lot of computing (downloading mods, archiving files, hosting your mod pack, publishing and testing your mod pack).

Is Java edition or bedrock better on the Steam Deck?

Both versions of the game run perfectly well on the Steam Deck. There is no clear consensus on which edition of Minecraft is better. Some players prefer the Bedrock edition because it is more stable and has better cross-platform support, while others prefer the Java edition because it is more customizable and has more features. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Can I record and play Minecraft on Steam Deck?

Users are able to record and play Minecraft on Steam Deck simultaneously. However, it will require a couple more wires and gadgets compared to recording on a PC. Let’s take a look at the steps:

The first thing you will need to do is download the OBS studio app, which is readily available on Steam.
Second, take an HDMI cable and connect one end to your Steam Deck and the other to an external capture card.
Following that, connect the USB 3 cable and the Steam Deck.
Now, you can display the video using a passthrough device to an external monitor.

After that, let’s set up your OBS studio.

Open the app.
Click on the plus icon in the “scene” section to create a new scene. (You may also name the scene to avoid confusion or just to stay organized).
Now, to add a source for the display, click on the plus button in the “display source” section.
Select the “Video Capture Device” option.
Go to the settings icon under the “display source” section.
Select the type of card capture device you are using.
Set the video format to YUYV 4:2:2.
Set the resolution to 1920*1080.
Set the Frame rate to 60.

We hope you liked the detailed guide on running Minecraft on Steam Deck, along with the tactics to defeat the final boss. Enjoy the game!