The SteamOS 3.7 Update Is Here, Bringing Its OS to Rival Handhelds

No one is working as hard to revive handheld gaming as Valve is in 2025. The company just released the SteamOS 3.7 update, introducing a host of system improvements and support for handheld consoles beyond the Steam Deck. Valve SteamOS expansion plans are shaping up quite nicely, with the latest version released to the Stable channel on May 23, 2025, bringing a range of enhancements and features with its Linux-based operating system.

According to the SteamOS 3.7 stable release notes, a new “SteamOS compatible” tag will be introduced in the coming weeks to depict “whether a game and all of its middleware is supported on SteamOS.” Games without the label may still run on the Steam Deck but there may be compatibility issues after download. Valve is expecting over 18,000 titles on the platform will be marked immediately, which is a good enough start. Interestingly, this is not all the SteamOS 3.7’s stable release has to offer.

SteamOS 3.7 Update—Key Features and Changes Introduced

SteamOS’ support for rivals has been a long time coming, with early rumors expecting its release in April. That deadline has come and gone, but with the SteamOS 3.7 stable release finally here, the wait is officially over. Previously, if you wanted to run SteamOS on Windows-based handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go, you had to use unofficial methods like flashing the Steam Deck’s recovery image or using alternative OS platforms.

Now, Valve’s SteamOS expansion plans provide instructions for getting SteamOS up and running on these rival devices. This news does come with a warning—the support for non-official “Powered by SteamOS” devices is not final, which means that there are potential bugs or incomplete features expected to come. Even if you don’t care about SteamOS’ support for rivals, there are several improvements for existing Steam Deck users.

Official Support for Lenovo Legion GO S

The SteamOS 3.7 update brings full support for the Lenovo Legion Go S, which is set to be the first third-party handheld device to officially ship with SteamOS. This marks a significant step for Valve’s intention to expand beyond the Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck update for AMD handhelds is a little different. It introduced initial support for other devices such as the ASUS Rog Ally keeping their newer internal hardware in mind. The company’s FAQ page has been updated to include some instructions for installing SteamOS on third-party AMD-powered devices, marking its border push to being the preferred choice for gamers.

Updated System Components Detailed in the SteamOS 3.7 Stable Release Notes

Apart from the big news about the SteamOS-supported handhelds in 2025, we also have internal changes that improve the system capabilities themselves. This includes:

• Arch Linux Base: SteamOS 3.7 is designed on a newer Arch Linux base which aids in improving the system performance, security, and hardware compatibility
• Linux Kernel Upgrade: The Linux kernel has been upgraded to version 6.11, enhancing overall system stability
• Mesa Graphics Driver Update: An updated graphics driver brings with it performance enhancements and compatibility fixes for optimizing playability
• Where Plasma 6.2.5: Desktop mode comes with an upgrade from Plasma 5.27.10 to  6.2.5 to bring quality improvements to the desktop experience

Battery Health Features Introduced

A markedly minor change but one that could improve the longevity of your devices, there is a new option to allow users to set a maximum charge limit of 80% on your handheld. This is a great feature for devices that are constantly docked and charged and could improve the long-term battery health of your console.

Enhanced Controller Support and Input Features with SteamOS 3.7

Compatibility upgrades are highly underrated and can vastly improve the experience of using any device. The SteamOS 3.7 stable release notes make it clear that controller compatibility is getting a boost, providing support for Proteus Byoware controllers and improved functionality for other Bluetooth devices. Users can wake the Steam Deck LCD units from sleep with the controllers and battery levels for these devices will also be visible.

Thanks to the HFP/HSP profiles, you can now use your microphones on your Bluetooth headsets in desktop mode. Support for gaming mode is unfortunately lacking.

Other SteamOS 3.7 Stable Release Notes

There are a host of other upgrades that Steam Deck users can look forward to. Multiple audio improvements have been made such as surround sound support in Desktop mode and there’s also new frame limiting support to reduce screen tearing. The SteamOS 3.7 update improves system maintenance by cleaning the Pacman cache after updates and the swap file setup now uses standard mkswap functionality, replacing a custom script for better reliability.

For users facing out-of-memory crashes, system responsiveness has been improved, and Bluetooth-related bugs, such as devices waking the Steam Deck from suspension when disabled, have been fixed. With dual-boot setups, the OS updates fixes an issue that could create duplicate boot entries.

The update also faces compatibility issues with several games like DOOM: The Dark Ages, Avowed, System Shock Remakeand others that have previously encountered multiple issues.

Valve’s New Update Sets the Stage for Renewed Faith in the Steam Deck

SteamOS 3.7’s stable release notes are a godsend for many who have voiced their complaints about the system, taking a lot of different aspects into consideration in one fell swoop. Valve’s SteamOS expansion plans also position the OS as a viable operating system for the broader handheld market, promoting compatibility over exclusivity.

It’s clear that Valve wants to set itself up as the go-to platform, much like Windows has achieved for PC, and the latest patch notes and installation guides serve precisely that goal. Will Valve SteamOS 3.7 become the preferred platform for all handheld devices? That remains to be seen, but considering the positive response to the updates among gamers using handhelds, this could just be the case.

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