Steam Deck playing game.
Image via Valve.

How to remote play PS5 on Steam Deck

Make your Steam Deck your PS5's best friend.

With the PlayStation Portal, you can play your PS5 even when you aren’t in front of your television. However, this isn’t the only way to enjoy PS5 remote play. One of the best ways to do this is through the Steam Deck which already has all the controls for seamless gameplay.

Recommended Videos

It is slightly harder to set up PS5 remote play compared to the Xbox. Nevertheless, it can be done even if you aren’t tech-savvy. This guide will take you through the process from start to finish, and you’ll be able to follow whether you’re a vet at modifying your Steam Deck or if this is your first time tinkering with the gadget.

Two PS5 consoles and a control pad on a white background.
Image via PlayStation Blog.

Preparing your PS5

Before you begin, it is a good idea to make sure your console is ready for remote play. To do this, turn on your console and head to your settings. Here, scroll down to System, then the Remote Play option. Here, you’ll have the chance to turn on Remote Play.

Next, go to the Power Saving tab, then go to Features Available In Rest Mode. In this section, ensure the following options are enabled:

  • Stay connected to the internet
  • Turn on PS5 from network

We’ll be moving to the Steam Deck next, and it’s advised you open this page on your handheld, as there are links that are easier to click when you’ve them available on the gadget’s browser. It also makes things easier to have a keyboard attached, though it’s not necessary.

A Steam Deck OLED with a red glowing light coming from it.
Image and logo via Valve.

Download Chiaki4Deck

Chiaki4Deck is the app you’ll be using to enable PS5 remote play on your Steam Deck. To download, head to the handheld’s desktop mode and open the Discover app. It’s in your taskbar and it looks like a shopping bag. Here, go to the search bar and type in “Chiaki” then select Chiaki4Deck to install.

Once the app is installed, you need to do some configuration to get it connected to your console. This requires konsole commands, and you don’t need to know anything technical about them to use them. The first konsole command you’ll get from the Chiaki4Deck setup page which you can access here on your Deck’s browser.

Here, head to the Configuration page and select “New to Using Chiaki on Steam Deck.” Scroll a little down and you’ll find the flatpak command you need.

  • flatpak run –command=psn-account-id io.github.streetpea.Chiaki4deck

Copy this command, then open up your device’s konsole, which you can do by clicking on the application launcher at the bottom left of your screen, and then selecting “System” which will give you access to the konsole terminal. Open the terminal, paste the command, and hit enter.

New text should appear in your konsole terminal, including a link you should copy and paste into your browser. It’ll take you to the Sony site where you’ll be required to provide your login credentials. Once this is done, you’ll be redirected to a page that simply has the word “redirect” on it. Copy the page’s link and head back to your konsole. Paste the link and hit enter.

Man playing Dead Cells on Steam Deck.
Image via Valve.

Connecting your Steam Deck to your PS5

Following this, you’ll receive your account ID, which you should store somewhere safe, as you’ll need it if you need to reconnect your app to your console. Next open the Chiaki4Deck app. If your console is turned on and you have completed the prior steps correctly, you should see your console listed within Chiaki. Select your console which should bring up the registration window.

In the window, there’ll be a field that asks for your account ID which you previously received. Paste it here. You’ll also need a pin from your console. To acquire this PIN, go back to your PS5 settings, scroll down to System, then Remote Play, and then select the “Link Device” option. You’ll be given a PIN which you should enter into the field requesting it back on the Chiaki app.

If you input the information correctly, the word “(Registered)” should appear next to your console in Chiaki. This means you’re ready for remote play. The optional final step is to make the app available in your regular Steam library.

To do this, open Steam while you’re still in desktop mode, click the Game menu at the top, then select the “Add a non-Steam game” option. It won’t be only the default list of possible apps to add so you’ll have to go looking for it. Typically, it’s in this folder: “/home/deck/.var/app/re.chiaki..chiaki4deck/config/chiaki/chiaki-launcher.sh”.

The last thing you need to do is change the name of the app to Chiaki4Deck which makes finding controller settings a little easier. The default controls aren’t ideal for most, which is why it’s recommended you try out a few community layouts to see what works for you.

Now you can remotely play your PS5 on your Steam Deck, which is exceptionally convenient. For more tips for your handset, visit our Steam Deck hub page.


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Smangaliso Simelane
Smangaliso Simelane
Staff Writer - Smangaliso Simelane is a writer with a passion for all things related to video games. He has been writing about video games since 2020.