cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/38020983

Before We Begin
Hello deck-ers, this guide walks you through installing Waydroid, a tool to run Android apps on your Steam Deck. Links are included below for troubleshooting and updates. Enjoy ;)

Step 1: Set Up a Password

Your Steam Deck’s terminal (Konsole) will ask for a password during installation. If you haven’t set one yet:

  1. Switch to Desktop Mode and open the Konsole app (found in the taskbar or applications menu).
  2. Type passwd and press Enter.
  3. Create a password. For simplicity, a 4-digit code like 9876 works, but use something stronger if security matters to you, (as it should).
    • Note: The password won’t show as you type, this is not a bug.
    • Re-enter the password when prompted to confirm.

Why? This password grants temporary “sudo” access to install software.

Step 2: Install Waydroid

Prerequisite: Ensure your Steam Deck is connected to the internet.

  1. Open Konsole (still in Desktop Mode).

  2. Copy and paste these commands one by one, waiting for each to finish:

    Command 1 – Download the Installer:

    cd ~/ && git clone https://github.com/ryanrudolfoba/steamos-waydroid-installer

    This downloads the necessary files to your home folder.

    Command 2 – Run the Installer:

    cd ~/steamos-waydroid-installer && chmod +x steamos-waydroid-installer.sh && ./steamos-waydroid-installer.sh

    This makes the script executable and starts the installation.

  3. Wait for the magic to happen!

    • The installer sets up Waydroid and applies custom configurations.
    • Installation takes ~5 minutes (varies with internet speed).
    • When finished, close Konsole and return to Game Mode.

Step 3: Launch Waydroid

  1. In Game Mode, navigate to your Library > Non-Steam Games.
  2. Find and launch the script named Android_Waydroid_Cage.sh.
  3. Waydroid will boot, give it a moment to initialize.

Need to Uninstall?

  1. Back in Desktop Mode, open Konsole.
  2. Paste these commands:
    cd ~/Android_Waydroid && ./uninstall.sh
    This removes Waydroid and its files.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • Issues? Check the official GitHub for known bugs, compatibility notes, and updates.
  • Keyboard/Mouse Not Working? Some users report needing a Bluetooth or USB input device for setup.
  • Performance: Close background apps in Desktop Mode and try again, otherwise I recommend checking opened issues over on github.

Enjoy your Android apps on Steam Deck! 🎮
Credits to ryanrudolfoba and the Waydroid contributors, cool guys!

Last tip: If this is your thing, check the AndroidTV installation option for a cool docked experience !!!

  • Telorand@reddthat.com
    3·
    4 days ago

    How does this work? SteamOS uses X11, and Waydroid requires Wayland. Xwayland translates X11 calls to Wayland, but I’m not aware of any Wayland to X11 compatibility projects.

    • Fubarberry@sopuli.xyzMEnglish
      6·
      4 days ago

      SteamOS in game mode runs on wayland actually, because it’s using gamescope which is a wayland compositor. My understanding is a lot of applications are still running as x11 and then using xwayland to run on gamescope though. I don’t know if that can be manually bypassed to run directly on wayland or not.

      Desktop mode is always using x11 though.

    • shaytan@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
      4·
      4 days ago

      You are right

      But in this case, the “steamos-waydroid-installer” creates a cage ( A wayland compositor running X11), and uses XWayland to render that. That creates a nested Wayland environment, with some overhead, but it works :))

      Edit: The good thing is, overhead isnt nearly even a problem, since you’re probably not getting the steamdeck to suffer under android emulation. Still, I believe and hope next big SteamOS update will switch to Wayland, leaving X11 behind

      • Telorand@reddthat.com
        2·
        4 days ago

        Still, I believe and hope next big SteamOS update will switch to Wayland, leaving X11 behind

        Same! This would be amazing, and hopefully their teamwork with Arch will see that happen sooner than later. I noticed that they fixed some CVEs in this latest stable update, so perhaps we’ll see more!