Steam Deck Gains Low-Power Download Mode, Allowing screen to Turn Off
Valve is rolling out an update to the Steam Deck, currently available on the Beta and preview channels, that enables downloads to continue even when the device’s screen is off. Previously, users had to leave the Steam Deck powered on with the display active to complete downloads.
The new feature activates a low-power mode when the power button is pressed during a download, presenting users with the option to continue downloading with the screen off. While in this mode, any button press or movement will display a status screen showing download progress, allowing users to either fully wake the device or continue downloading in the background.
This functionality is enabled by default when the Steam Deck is plugged in, and can also be activated while running on battery through the device’s settings. However, to prevent complete power loss, the Steam Deck will enter full sleep mode if the battery level drops below 20 percent.
The addition addresses a long-standing user request.The Verge inquired about this capability two years ago, coinciding with the launch of the Steam Deck OLED, at which time Valve hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat explained the company’s initial reluctance, stating, “We burn a substantial amount of power when you’re downloading,” and expressing concern about users accidentally leaving a hot device unattended in a bag if they believed it was asleep.
