How to install Minecraft: Bedrock edition on Steam Deck

Minecraft is one of the most popular games of all time, and it should be considered one of the best games to play on the Steam Deck. It's a game that can eat up days months of your life before you know it, and being able to sit back with your Steam Deck to comfortably navigate the blocky world just makes sense.

The Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED both run the SteamOS platform based on Arch Linux, which gives you plenty of flexibility when it comes to installing custom software. While there's no native way to get Minecraft: Bedrock (for Windows) edition onto the stock Steam Deck — like by searching the Steam store and downloading as you would most other games — you aren't totally out of luck. You could install Windows on Steam Deck and use the Xbox app, but there's a much easier way to get it done.

We already have a guide on how to install Minecraft: Java on the Steam Deck, but I'm here to show you how to get Minecraft: Bedrock, for those of you who can't live without the multi-device version of the game. What's great about the Bedrock edition is that you can use it to play with other devices, and it also has some minor differences from the Java version.

What you need to install Minecraft: Bedrock on Steam Deck

• Minecraft for Android: This version of the game can be purchased from the Google Play store for about $7. This is the same as Bedrock on other platforms, and it's compatible with Minecraft: Bedrock running on any other platform, allowing you to visit your friends' Realms and access your favorite skins and texture packs from the in-house marketplace. Be sure to use the same Google account that you'll be using to play on the Steam Deck.
• Internet connection: You need an internet connection to download the Linux-based Minecraft: Bedrock launcher on the Steam Deck, as well as Minecraft: Bedrock itself through the launcher.
• (Optional) Mouse and keyboard: I had no problem installing and playing Minecraft: Bedrock on Steam Deck without a keyboard and mouse, but the accessories can surely make your life a bit easier.

How to install Minecraft: Bedrock on Steam Deck

Since there's no native option, we need to use emulation

To get the Minecraft: Bedrock edition running on your Steam Deck, we first need to head over to Desktop Mode.

1. Press the Steam button on your Steam Deck.
   
2. Select the Power option from the on-screen menu.
3. Select Switch to Desktop from the on-screen menu. Allow your Steam Deck to load Desktop Mode before continuing.
   
4. Click the Discover icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. It looks like a gift bag.
   
5. Search for the term Minecraft Bedrock in the top-left field of the window.
6. Double-click the Minecraft Bedrock Launcher option.
   
7. Click Install in the top-right corner of the window. Allow it to finish downloading and installing before continuing.
   
8. Click Launch in the top-right corner of the window.
   
9. Click Continue in the Linux Minecraft Launcher window.
   
10. Click Sign in with Google.
    
11. Log in with the same Google account credentials that you used to purchase Minecraft from the Google Play store.
12. Click the Edit button next to the Profile dropdown menu. It looks like a pencil.
    
13. Tick the box next to Window size.
14. Change the resolution to 1280x800 to match the Steam Deck's native resolution and click Save.
    
15. Click Download and Play. Allow Minecraft to finish downloading before continuing.
    

You can click Play to enjoy Minecraft: Bedrock edition in Steam Deck's Desktop Mode, but you can also add it as a non-Steam game for access in Gaming Mode.

How to add Minecraft: Bedrock launcher to Steam

The Steam Deck is best in Gaming Mode

Now that you've downloaded Minecraft: Bedrock and its launcher, you can add the launcher as a non-Steam game in order to access it from the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode.

1. Launch Steam in Desktop Mode.
2. Click Add a game in the bottom-left corner of the window.
3. Click Add a Non-Steam Game.
   
4. Tick the box next to Minecraft Bedrock Launcher. You might have to scroll down to find it.
   
5. Click Add Selected Programs.
   

You can now switch back to Steam Deck's Gaming Mode and maintain access to Minecraft: Bedrock.

How to launch Minecraft: Bedrock in Steam Deck's Gaming Mode

It's as simple as any other game

Gaming Mode is the best way to play games on your Steam Deck, and now that you've added the Minecraft Bedrock Launcher to Steam as a non-Steam title, you'll be able to access it on the other side.

1. Open your Steam library.
2. Use R1 to toggle over to the Non-Steam header.
3. Select Minecraft Bedrock Launcher.
4. Select Play.

The main launcher window with Profile options and Play button that we saw in Desktop Mode will open. Select Play again to fully launch Minecraft: Bedrock.

If you'd like to use a keyboard and mouse instead of the built-in Steam Deck controls, you can select the gamepad icon before hitting Play (in step 4 above). This will open a bevy of control options, including standard keyboard and mouse.

Signing in to your Minecraft account via Microsoft

Now sync your Minecraft accounts

Minecraft should now be running on your Steam Deck, and will look like any other version of Minecraft: Bedrock edition, with a Sign In button to the left of the main menu.

1. Tap the Sign In button.
2. Enter your Microsoft credentials that you use for Minecraft.

You should now have access to any purchased items and texture packs to use on your Steam Deck.

It's annoying that you have to repurchase Minecraft: Bedrock to use it on the Steam Deck

This guide should have everything you need to get Minecraft: Bedrock running on your Steam Deck. Until we get a native way to easily use Minecraft: Bedrock edition on Linux, this is the only way to use it on the Deck. I've had nothing but success with this method, and playing with other friends on Realms while lying back on the couch with Steam Deck in hand has been a ton of fun. Be sure to drop any comments below if you run into problems.

And don't forget to take a look at our guide on how to install Java Minecraft on the Steam Deck if you'd rather play the original version of the game.