Streaming music from your phone to your Steam Deck: Simple Guide

What is Bluetooth audio sink?

Did you know that your Steam Deck can not only control Bluetooth headphones, but also function as a Bluetooth speaker itself? The magic word is Bluetooth Audio Sink (A2DP) . This allows you to play audio from your phone-for example, music or podcasts-directly through your Steam Deck's speakers or headset while you game. No Spotify or browser is needed on the Deck; your phone remains in full control!

Here's how to pair your phone with the Steam Deck (Gaming Mode)

1. Enable Bluetooth on the Steam Deck:
   On the deck, go to Settings and activate Bluetooth 
2. Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone:
   Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone and search for new devices.
3. Start pairing:
   Select “Steam Deck” from your phone’s device list and confirm the displayed PIN if necessary.
4. Adjust audio output:
   On your phone, set the Steam Deck as the audio output device (depending on Android/iOS, under Playback/Output).
5. Start playing:
   Start a game on the deck. Now you'll hear the game sound and music/podcast from your phone at the same time.

Bluetooth pairing in desktop mode

If you prefer to use desktop mode or the pairing menu is acting up in gaming mode, you can also do it this way:

1. Switch to desktop mode via Power → Switch to Desktop .
2. Click on the speaker or Bluetooth icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Open the Bluetooth settings, select "show all devices" and pair your smartphone there.
4. Start playing music on your phone as a test. If you hear sound, you can switch back to gaming mode and continue playing.

Typical problems and solutions

• No sound from the deck? Check on your phone whether the Steam Deck is actually selected as the output device - sometimes the phone stubbornly sticks to its own speaker.
• Pairing not working? Briefly turn Bluetooth off and on again on both devices, then pair again.
• Latency? Like any Bluetooth speaker, there's a slight delay. But for music or podcasts while gaming, this is usually not a problem.

Conclusion and added value

With just a few clicks, you can transform your Steam Deck into a flexible Bluetooth speaker for your smartphone. This lets you enjoy your favorite music or podcasts while gaming, without burdening the Steam Deck with additional apps. A particularly convenient feature: you can use the high-quality speakers on the deck or your headset as the sound output - for an immersive gaming experience with your own personal soundtrack.