Galaxy XR becomes Steam Frame with free app: transform your Android headset into a Steam library

Discover how the Galaxy XR can run Steam games natively via GameHub, without cloud or subscription, bringing the device closer to the Steam Deck concept.

Galaxy XR transforms into Steam Frame with free app

The Galaxy XR, an extended reality Android headset, is being used to run Steam games without relying on the cloud or subscriptions.

The secret lies with GameHub, an app from GameSir available on the Google Play Store. It is a fork variant of Winlator that facilitates running Windows on Android and, with it, you connect your Steam account to access the library within the Galaxy XR, as if SteamOS were running in an app window.

How GameHub works on Galaxy XR

GameHub emulates Windows in an integrated way, allowing the Steam library to appear inside the headset. With it, you can:

• Connect to your Steam account
• Access the library within the app
• Install and play without relying on cloud or subscription

How to get started

To start, simply open GameHub, log in with your Steam account, and browse the library. The chosen game can be installed and played directly on the headset, with no additional setup.

To play, a Bluetooth controller works well, such as the GameSir Cyclone 2, although the author claims that using a GameSir controller might be more convenient.

If there are permission concerns, the latest version of the app does not require permissions, not even notifications, although it may display access warnings to enable them. There are alternative forks that remove telemetry, such as GameHub Lite or GameNative.

Performance and limitations

Performance is very close to the Steam Deck in many games, even with the x86 to ARM code translation. Portal 2 ran stably at 60fps on both, but newer titles, like Resident Evil Requiem, may be too demanding for this hardware.

What is already working on Galaxy XR

Three of the four pillars that define the Steam Frame are already working on the Galaxy XR: streaming with focus, dedicated wireless network, and native compatibility with Steam games. The only thing still missing is the native execution of PC VR games, something the Frame might bring in the future.

For PC VR games, it will be necessary to use the Galaxy XR controllers and the Virtual Desktop app, with a VR-ready PC.

Connections to the future

It's interesting to see the best features of the Steam Frame arriving on other headsets before the launch of Valve's next headset, a result of ongoing work with Proton and FEX.

Final considerations

The Galaxy XR offers an immersive experience by combining Android apps with a dedicated XR experience, paving the way to run Steam games in this portable format.

Which title would you test first with this feature? Tell us in the comments how you would imagine using the Galaxy XR as a Steam Frame in your daily life.

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