Steam Deck just got a new feature that Nintendo Switch owners have enjoyed for years

(Credit: Valve)

• 🙌 The Steam Deck now features a display-off, low-power download mode

• 👏 This new mode allows downloads to complete while the screen is off, similar to the Nintendo Switch

• 🔋 It’s enabled by default when plugged in and can be activated on battery power

• 🔜 The feature is currently available in Beta and Preview channels, with a stable rollout expected soon

Valve has announced a new feature for the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED that makes the portable PC handheld more like the Nintendo Switch than ever.

The new feature enables a display-off, low-power download mode, which lets you complete all active downloads before the system goes to sleep.

This may come as a surprise to those who don’t own a Steam Deck, but previously the handheld and its screen would remain on until downloads had finished. Those with a Steam Deck OLED and worries about burn-in have previously relied on plugins to dim the Steam Deck’s screen.

(Credit: Valve)

The feature will be enabled by default when the Steam Deck is plugged in to power and can also be enabled on battery power in Settings > Power. When this feature is active on battery power, Steam Deck will automatically go to full sleep mode if the battery level falls below 20%.

While your Steam Deck is downloading content, you can press the power button to bring up a new dialog that asks whether you’d like to continue downloading with the screen off. You can also press a button or move the Steam Deck to view a new status screen that shows your download progress. From here, you can either wake the system or let it continue downloading with the screen off.

The new display-off, low-power download mode is available on Steam Deck in the Beta and Preview channels. Expect it to roll out to the stable channel once users have thoroughly tested the new feature.

Up next: Lenovo Legion Go S is the Steam Deck 2 I’ve been waiting for in all but name

Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.