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 !!!