Can Diablo 4 Run on the Steam Deck? How to Play Diablo 4 on Steam Deck?
by Srinithi
Updated Jun 08, 2023
Can Diablo 4 Run on the Steam Deck?
The highly anticipated Diablo 4 has finally arrived. Diablo 4 is exclusively available on Battle.net for PC, meaning it's not natively supported on the Steam Deck. Since Diablo 4 is not officially on Steam, you might be wondering how you can get it up and running on your Deck. With just a little effort and depending on your familiarity with the Deck's desktop mode, you can have Diablo 4 up and running smoothly on your Steam Deck.
To make your Diablo 4 dreams come true on the Steam Deck, follow this handy guide that will walk you through the entire process. Whether you're a seasoned Deck user or just getting started, this step-by-step tutorial will ensure you're well-equipped to embark on your demon-slaying journey.
How to Play Diablo 4 on Steam Deck?
To play Diablo 4 on your Steam Deck, you'll need to follow these steps:
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Enter desktop mode on your Steam Deck by pressing the physical Steam button. In the pop-up window, select the power option, and then choose "Switch to Desktop."
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Install a web browser on your Steam Deck if you don't already have one. You can go to the Discover store (the shopping bag icon) on the taskbar and search for Chrome or your preferred browser.
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Open the browser and search for Battle.net. Click on the first option, which should take you to the Battle.net website. Download the game launcher from there.
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Once the Battle.net installer file ("Battle.net-Setup.exe") is downloaded, open your downloads folder using the file explorer (Dolphin icon on the taskbar).
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Right-click the Battle.net installer file or use the left trigger to mimic the right-click action. In the drop-down menu, click "Add to Steam." If prompted, browse for the installer file in your downloads folder.
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Open Steam on your desktop and look for the Battle.net installer file in the "Library" view on the left side. Click it once to select it, then click the gear-shaped icon on the right (hovering over it shows the word "Manage"). Go to "Properties."
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In the Properties window, under the Compatibility section, check the box that says "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool." A drop-down button will appear with a list of Proton builds. Select "Proton Experimental." Close the settings menu and run the installer.
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Follow the Battle.net installation process as you would on your desktop. By default, the installation will happen on your Steam Deck's onboard storage. If you prefer, you can change the installation location to a microSD card. Navigate to the "Z" directory, then the "run" folder, then the "media" folder. Finally, select the name of your microSD card (e.g., "mmcblk0p1"). If you make a mistake, you can delete the installer from your Steam library and start over.
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After the installation, you'll be prompted to enter your login credentials for Battle.net. Follow the prompts to install Diablo 4. If your Steam Deck's SSD doesn't have enough free space, you can change the installation location to your removable storage using the same process as before.
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Once Diablo 4 is installed in Battle.net, click the settings icon next to the blue "Play" button and select "Show in Explorer." This will open a window with the game's files. Copy the destination directory from the address bar (e.g., Z:runmediammcblk0p1Diablo 4).
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Open the file explorer (Dolphin icon on the taskbar) and paste the destination directory into the address bar to quickly find where Diablo 4 is installed. Open the Diablo 4 folder, scroll down, and locate the file called "Diablo IV.exe." Right-click on it (or use the left trigger) and select "Add to Steam" just like before.
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Go back to the Steam app, and you'll find the Diablo IV.exe file in your library. Change the compatibility to "Proton Experimental" using the same steps as for the Battle.net installer.
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Launch the game in Steam, and you'll go through the steps of installing and logging into Battle.net again. Once that process is complete, Diablo 4 should be automatically detected.
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Press "Play" to launch Diablo 4. For future sessions, you can launch the game from the Steam Deck's default view, called "gaming mode." Simply select "Play" after logging into
How to Install and Run Diablo IV on Steam Deck?
Features of Diablo IV on Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device that allows you to play PC games on the go, and with the right setup, you can enjoy Diablo IV on this platform. Here are some features of playing Diablo IV on the Steam Deck:
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Portability: The Steam Deck allows you to take your gaming experience with you wherever you go. With Diablo IV running on the device, you can immerse yourself in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary while on the move.
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Steam Deck Controls: The Steam Deck features built-in controls, including thumbsticks, buttons, and triggers, which provide a familiar gaming experience for Diablo IV. You can navigate through the game's world, unleash powerful attacks, and engage in intense battles using the device's intuitive controls.
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Game Expansion: As Diablo IV continues to receive updates, expansions, and new content, playing it on the Steam Deck allows you to stay up to date with the latest features and expansions released for the game. You can easily download and install new updates directly through the Battle.net launcher on the Steam Deck.
Can Diablo 4 Run on the Steam Deck-FAQ
Diablo 4 is exclusively available on Battle.net for PC, meaning it's not natively supported on the Steam Deck.
With just a little effort and depending on your familiarity with the Deck's desktop mode, you can have Diablo 4 up and running smoothly on your Steam Deck.
Cap your refresh rate and frame rate limit to 40 to ensure a more stable gameplay experience. Follow our guide on graphic settings for further optimization tips.
FSR 2.0, or FidelityFX Super Resolution, is an in-game graphical setting that enhances visual quality while maintaining a stable framerate. Set it to 'Quality' for the best results.
Individual hardware configurations may vary, so it's recommended to experiment with different settings to find the optimal balance between performance and visual quality based on your device's capabilities.