Steam Deck users now have access to a long-awaited improvement: a display-off, low-power mode that lets the handheld continue downloading games with the screen turned off. As detailed by Valve in their announcement, the update enables active downloads to complete before the device fully sleeps, reducing energy use and heat output in the process. The feature is already live in the Beta and Preview software channels.
How it works is that when a download is underway, pressing the power button triggers a prompt asking whether you’d like to continue downloading with the screen off. Choosing “Continue” will switch the Steam Deck into low-power mode while the download proceeds. If the device is plugged in, this mode is enabled by default, and you can enable it via Settings and then selecting Power when in battery-powered mode.
Keep note that the device is still active during downloads, just with the display off so WiFi, storage and other subsystems remain engaged. If battery level drops below 20 %, the system will revert to full sleep. Additionally, a status screen appears when you press a button or move the device, showing the download’s progress without fully restoring the handheld to active mode.
If you’re interested in enabling the feature right away, switch your Steam Deck’s system update channel to Beta or Preview, install the latest client, and activate the new mode via the Power settings menu. Valve has yet to confirm when the feature will be publicly available.
(Source: Valve [official website])
