5 Simple Ways to Install Steam on Linux
Introduction:
Steam, the popular video game distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation, is an excellent way to access a massive library of games for Linux users. Though the installation process is not overly complicated, it may seem daunting to newcomers. In this article, we will explore five simple ways to install Steam on Linux so you can start your gaming journey with ease.
1.Ubuntu Software Centre:
For those using Ubuntu or Ubuntu-based distributions like Linux Mint, the easiest way to install Steam is through the Ubuntu Software Centre. Simply follow these steps:
– Open the Ubuntu Software Centre.
– Search for ‘Steam’ in the search bar located at the top of the screen.
– Click on the ‘Steam’ icon and then click ‘Install.’
– Once the installation is complete, launch Steam from your Applications menu.
2.Installation from Terminal (Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions):
If you prefer using terminal commands or have a distribution that doesn’t use Ubuntu Software Centre, you can install Steam with these simple steps:
– Open a terminal window.
– Type ‘sudo apt-get update’ and hit Enter to update your system packages.
– Next, type ‘sudo apt-get install steam’ and hit Enter to start the installation.
– After installation, launch Steam from your Applications menu.
3.Flatpak:
Flatpak is a popular universal package manager that allows you to install applications across various Linux distributions. You can use Flatpak to install Steam by following these steps:
– Install Flatpak by visiting their website and following their installation instructions for your specific Linux distribution.
– In a terminal window, run ‘flatpak remote-add –if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo’ to add Flathub as a Flatpak repository.
– To install Steam using Flatpak, enter this command: ‘flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam’
– Once installed, launch Steam from your Applications menu.
4.Snap:
Another universal package manager option is Snap, developed by Canonical for Ubuntu-based systems but also available for other distributions. Here’s how to install Steam using Snap:
– Ensure Snap is installed by following their installation instructions for your Linux distribution.
– Open a terminal window and enter ‘sudo snap install steam’ to initiate the installation.
– After completion, launch Steam from your Applications menu.
5.Manual Download & Installation:
For those who prefer to download and install Steam manually, follow these steps:
– Visit the official Steam website and download the installer file (.deb) for Linux.
– Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory containing the .deb file.
– Install it by running ‘sudo dpkg -i steam_latest.deb’ (change “steam_latest.deb” to the actual filename if it’s different).
– Fix any potential dependency issues with ‘sudo apt-get install -f’.
– Once done, launch Steam from your Applications menu.
Conclusion:
Installing Steam on Linux has become increasingly accessible thanks to various package managers and straightforward terminal commands. Choose the method that suits your distribution and preference best, and get ready to dive into a vast world of gaming experiences!