Instructions for Playing Fortnite on Steam Deck

Interested in learning how to play Fortnite on the Steam Deck? Despite it not being a simple process, we have put together a brief guide to assist you.

If you are curious about whether you can access Fortnite on Steam Deck, the answer is affirmative. However, the game is currently not accessible on SteamOS. This could be due to several factors contributing to the strained relationship between Epic and Valve.

Epic has consistently criticized Valve for its monopoly in the digital PC gaming market. However, the company has also faced challenges with Microsoft’s Windows and has not yet fully embraced Linux as a viable alternative platform.

Despite the limitations imposed by Epic’s decision, there is still hope. The Steam Deck’s open nature offers a few alternatives that can help us bypass this restriction. However, the solution may require sacrificing some visual quality, as it involves utilizing streaming cloud-based services such as Nvidia GeForce Now.

Table of Contents

How to play Fortnite on Steam Deck with Nvidia GeForce Now
How to play Fortnite on Steam Deck with GeForce Now web browser

Playing Fortnite on Steam Deck with Nvidia GeForce Now

Install GeForce Now Steam Deck BETA
Switch to gaming mode
Go to non-Steam games
Launch GeForce Now
Search ‘Fortnite’ in search bar
Select Fortnite’
Select ‘Play’

With the implementation of the new Nvidia GeForce Now beta installation method, playing games on GeForce Now has become more convenient than ever before. The accessibility of GeForce Now on handheld devices has also made it possible to play previously unplayable games, such as Fortnite, while on the go.

To access Fortnite on the Steam Deck, make sure to have the latest beta version of GeForce Now installed on your handheld device. Fortunately, our comprehensive GeForce Now guide provides all the necessary information to successfully set it up.

Once you have installed GeForce Now on your Steam Deck, simply switch to gaming mode and access your non-Steam games. Choose GeForce Now from the options, then click ‘Play’ on the app’s splash screen and patiently wait for GeForce Now to launch.

Screenshot of the non-Steam tab on gaming mode on a Steam Deck. — dexerto

With GeForce Now open, access the search bar at the top of the app and enter ‘Fortnite.’ You can bring up the Steam Deck keyboard by clicking on the ‘Steam’ and ‘X’ buttons.

Click on the initial result on the page, followed by clicking on the green ‘Play’ button to initiate playing Fortnite on your Steam Deck.

How to Play Fortnite on Steam Deck Using GeForce Now Web Browser

Turn on the Steam Deck
Open Google Chrome
Go to: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce-now/download/
Select ‘Launch on Browser’
Select ‘Get in’
Login with QR reader

You can also use Nvidia’s GeForce Now to stream Fortnite on your Steam Deck through a web browser. This approach allows for more storage on your handheld device. However, our testing on a Steam Deck OLED showed some connectivity problems and lag while running Fortnite this way, so ensure that your bandwidth is sufficient for a smooth gaming experience.

The Steam Deck will never provide an ideal experience without a native version of the game.

In order to use GeForce Now, it is necessary for your Epic Games account to be linked to your Nvidia GeForce Now account. This is because GeForce Now requires users to have a PC digital version of Fortnite, even though the game itself is free-to-play.

In order to stream Fortnite through Nvidia GeForce Now, you will need to switch to desktop mode on the Steam Deck and access Google Chrome. It is crucial to use Chrome, as other web browsers on the Steam Deck, such as Chromium, are not compatible with streaming Nvidia GeForce Now.

While Google Chrome is open, you can either copy and paste the following link or manually type it into the web browser’s search bar:

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce-now/download/

After navigating to the Nvidia website, click on the green ‘Launch on Browser’ button and then proceed to click on the ‘Get in’ button on the subsequent screen. Next, sign into your GeForce Now account by either scanning the provided QR code or entering the on-screen pin on your smartphone or tablet.

Screenshot of desktop mode on the Steam Deck. — dexerto

After the log-in process is finished, a message will appear on the screen of your smartphone or tablet stating that you are now “logging into SteamOS Console STEAMDECK.”By clicking on the continue button, your Steam Deck screen will be refreshed and you will be logged into Nvidia GeForce Now.

Once you have accessed GeForce Now, locate Fortnite by browsing through the game library. Alternatively, you can use the search bar to search for ‘Fortnite’. After finding the Fortnite application, click on ‘Play’ to launch the game.

If your Epic Games Store and GeForce Now accounts are linked, you will be placed in a queue automatically. GeForce Now is a cloud-based streaming service that allows you to play games on various Nvidia GPUs. Paying members will have instant access to games on the service, whereas those with free accounts will need to wait.