NVIDIA launches native GeForce NOW app for Linux PCs in beta
NVIDIA has released a native GeForce NOW desktop app for Linux in beta. Official support starts with Ubuntu 24.04 and SteamOS.
This matters because Microsoft’s PC Game Pass experience is built around the Xbox app for Windows PCs. Linux users do not get an official Xbox app client. GeForce NOW can still stream a supported subset of PC Game Pass titles after linking a Microsoft account, since the games run from NVIDIA’s cloud PCs.
Currently it does not work on Bazzite, Source: Windows Central
On the performance side, NVIDIA ties the Linux rollout to its Blackwell upgrade on GeForce NOW Ultimate. NVIDIA says Ultimate can stream up to 5K at 120 FPS, or 1080p at 360 FPS, with RTX 5080-class cloud hardware for supported titles.
The Linux build is distributed as a Flatpak. NVIDIA’s current “known-good” target is Ubuntu 24.04, but Flatpak means other distros can often run the client too if Flatpak is installed. GamingOnLinux also notes recommended versions for NVIDIA drivers and Mesa.
GeForce NOW Beta for Linux, Source: VideoCardz
Steam Deck users can already lean on SteamOS Desktop Mode for GeForce NOW, and the new desktop app extends that approach to standard Linux PCs. Ben Wilson’s testing on Windows Central also shows why “unsupported distro” can still mean rough edges, since Bazzite logged in but hit timeout errors and crashed shortly after launch.
Ten games NVIDIA highlighted for this week (plus one dated launch):
- The Midnight Walkers (Steam, Jan. 28)
- Cairn (Steam, Jan. 29)
- Prototype (Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29)
- Prototype 2 (Ubisoft Connect, Jan. 29)
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Xbox, available on Game Pass, Jan. 29)
- Half Sword (Steam, Jan. 30)
- Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (Steam, Jan. 30)
- The Bard’s Tale Trilogy (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass)
- The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass)
- Total War: Three Kingdoms (Epic Games Store)
- Delta Force (cloud launch listed for Feb. 3)
NVIDIA posted the Linux beta announcement on January 29, 2026, and points users to the GeForce NOW download page plus Linux beta support articles. The free tier still uses 1-hour sessions, and NVIDIA’s 100-hour monthly cap for most paid members starts applying broadly from January 1, 2026.
GeForce NOW PC Requirements
Hardware Requirements
- A 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later (32-bit versions of Windows are not supported)
- Dual core x86 or x64 CPU at 2.0GHz or faster. Or, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Arm processor (Beta support).
- 4GB of system memory
- GPU that supports DirectX 11 or later
Internet Requirements
- 15 Mbps for HD resolutions at up to 60 FPS (e.g. 1280×720)
- 25 Mbps for FHD resolutions at 60 FPS (e.g. 1920×1080)
- 35 Mbps for UW QHD & QHD resolutions at 120 FPS (e.g. 3840×1440 or 2560×1440)
- 45 Mbps for 4K resolutions at 120 FPS (e.g. 3840×2160)
- 55 Mbps for QHD & FHD resolutions at 240 & 360 FPS (e.g. 2560×1440 or 1920×1080)
- 65 Mbps for 5K resolutions at 120 FPS (e.g. 5120×2180)
Source: NVIDIA , Linux Requirements , Windows Central , GamingOnLinux
