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Epic Games plans to support SteamOS with its new Epic Games Launcher, giving Steam Deck users a potential official route to their Epic libraries on Valve’s operating system. The launcher is still in preview, and Epic has not given a release date for official SteamOS support.
Epic communications director Jake Jones told GamingOnLinux that the company plans to support a range of Linux distributions, “including Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy, Omarchy, and more.” The publication obtained the statement directly from Epic.
The distinction between a plan and current support is important for handheld owners. Epic’s preview site currently lists Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer and Debian 12 or newer for Linux, with Fedora coming soon. It says other distributions may work but are not officially tested or supported.
Image: Epic Games
SteamOS support has no announced launch date
The redesigned launcher has been available as a preview for Windows, macOS and Linux since October. Epic says the Linux launcher runs natively, although many games have only Windows builds and may need a compatibility layer. A working launcher alone does not establish that every game in an Epic library will run on Steam Deck.
Image: Epic Games
Jones also told GamingOnLinux that Epic is testing package formats and plans to restore an AppImage download in November. The publication reports that the preview initially used AppImage before switching to a Debian package. Epic’s support pages mention both formats, so users should check the current download and supported systems rather than assume the packaging is settled.
Existing Linux users can also use community projects such as Heroic Games Launcher, but they are separate from Epic’s own preview. A launch date, installation method and exact feature set for the planned SteamOS support have not been announced in the statement.
Image: Epic Games
The launcher and Fortnite are separate compatibility questions
Epic has said it wants to bring Fortnite to Linux after work on Easy Anti-Cheat and distribution security requirements. In October, Epic said Steam Deck lacked features required by its planned Easy Anti-Cheat Linux v2 and that it was talking with Valve about future support. The launcher plan does not confirm when Fortnite will run on Steam Deck.
The preview also remains unfinished. Epic says some social and account-management features from its older launcher are not available yet, and installing the preview removes the legacy launcher during the transition. Check the current platform requirements and back up important data before experimenting with pre-release software.
