Steam Deck stable client update improves controller settings
Valve has released a new Steam Deck Client update for the Stable channel. The April 28 update brings changes to chat, downloads, Steam Input, Game Recording, Remote Play and Cloud saves.
The biggest user-facing change is the new chat access in the quick access menu. Steam chat is now available while in-game, and Valve has added a quick chat feature for Steam Deck and Big Picture Mode. Users can hold the view button, move the thumbstick and release the button to send a preset message. These quick chat options can be edited under Settings > Keyboard.
The Downloads page now supports Remote Downloads Management. This allows users to manage downloads on other Steam clients from the Steam Deck. The App Details page also shows the same options and status information for remote clients as it does for the local system. Valve says both local and remote clients must be updated for this feature to work.
Source: Gaming on Linux
The update adds a setting to enable “ Switch To Desktop ” on the login screen. It also adds a low battery toast and a battery indicator in the header for wireless gamepads. The Store option in the main menu now opens the Steam Store home page instead of the Great On Deck hub.
Valve also fixed an issue that could cause data loss after uninstalling, reinstalling and playing a game without restarting the client. Game Recording fixes include the instant clip shortcut for non-Steam games when using a gamepad and a screenshot issue affecting clips.
Steam Input also received a layout change. Controller settings now use a menu and details structure instead of tabs, which should make the section easier to use with gamepads. Valve also fixed radial menus not closing after releasing the joystick on Steam Deck and a calibration screen issue where values could load incorrectly on first open.
Steam Deck Client Update: April 28th click to expand
General
- Added a setting to enable ‘Switch To Desktop’ in the login screen. It can be found in System Settings.
- Added a low battery level toast for wireless gamepads.
- Added a battery indicator to the header for wireless gamepads.
- Updated the Store main menu option to navigate to the Steam Store home page instead of the Great On Deck hub.
- Improved compatibility with WiFi captive portals.
- Improved client performance when there are many unread account notifications pending.
- Fixed a case where opting into the ‘Preview’ channel could silently fail.
- Fixed subtle sizing issues with the Recently Played carousel.
- Fixed the Voice chat tab of the QAM not being hidden after exiting all active voice chats.
- Fixed spell check not working in certain browser views.
Chat
- Moved Steam chat into the quick access menu, making it easier to access while in-game.
- Introduced new quick chat feature for Steam Deck and Big Picture Mode.
- When in a chat, press and hold the view button to bring up quick chat options.
- Move thumbstick and release view button to send a quick chat.
- Quick chats can be edited in Settings > Keyboard.
- When in a chat, press and hold the view button to bring up quick chat options.
- Focus will no longer jump to room effect replay buttons when scrolling through chat history.
- Fixed a bug that would sometimes prevent chat history from loading when scrolling up.
Downloads
- Added Remote Downloads Management. This allows you to manage downloads on Remote Steam Clients from the downloads page. You can select different clients by pressing Y on the downloads page.
- The App Details page now has the same options and statuses for remote clients as the local client.
- Both the local and remote clients must be updated to enable this feature.
- The App Details page now has the same options and statuses for remote clients as the local client.
Game Recording
- Fixed the instant clip shortcut not working for non-Steam games when using a gamepad.
- Fixed a bug which affected taking a screenshot from a game recording clip.
Remote Play
- Added feedback if capture can’t be started on the remote computer.
Cloud
- Fixed an issue which could lead to data loss when uninstalling, reinstalling, and playing a game without restarting the client in between.
Steam Input
- Revised controller settings to reduce clutter and to make them work better with gamepads.
- Changed controller settings to use a menu and details structure instead of tabs to list the connected controllers.
- Fixed a case where radial menus would fail to dismiss after releasing the joystick on Steam Deck.
- Fixed a case where the controller calibration screen could fail to load the correct values the first time it is opened.
Source: Valve
