Steam Deck's New Feature: Screen-Off Downloads - A Game Changer for Gamers (2025)

Tired of waiting for your Steam Deck to download games? Valve has heard your frustration! They're rolling out a fantastic update that allows you to download content even when your screen is off, a feature they're calling 'display-off low-power mode.' This is a game-changer, especially for those of us who love to jump into games without delay.

This new mode, enabled by default when your Steam Deck is plugged in, mirrors the convenience of standby modes found on modern consoles. You can also configure it to work while on battery power, but be aware: it will automatically switch to full sleep mode if the battery dips below 20 percent.

But here's where it gets interesting: if you press the power button while a download is in progress, a prompt will ask if you want to keep downloading with the display off. Also, if your Steam Deck hits an idle timeout, it'll automatically slip into this handy display-off mode.

Imagine this: you're eager to play your favorite online game, but a massive update is holding you back. This new feature ensures your downloads continue seamlessly in the background, freeing up your bandwidth for a smoother gaming experience. (Yes, I'm speaking from personal experience here!)

This feature is a real win for Steam Deck users. It's a small but significant upgrade that enhances the overall user experience. What do you think about this new update? Does it address a pain point for you, or do you have other features you'd like to see? Let us know in the comments!

Steam Deck's New Feature: Screen-Off Downloads - A Game Changer for Gamers (2025)

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