Steam service on Chromebooks set to end its 4-year beta period in the year 2026, leading to its termination.
In a move that may affect PC gaming enthusiasts, Valve and Google have announced the end of the Steam for Chromebook Beta program. The decision, effective from January 1, 2026, comes after the platform remained in beta since its launch in 2022 and failed to gain significant traction among gamers.
The core issue with Steam on ChromeOS has been the hardware. Most Chromebooks, known for their low-power CPUs and limited RAM (typically Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 with 8 GB RAM minimum), are not powerful enough to run many modern Steam games smoothly. This hardware constraint has been a major hurdle in making Chromebooks viable gaming devices.
Moreover, the Steam app for ChromeOS has seen minimal updates since its launch and has failed to become mainstream within the gaming community, indicating poor adoption and a limited user base. Google's evolving ChromeOS strategy also plays a role in this decision. The company is moving towards integration with Android, which supports many games via the Google Play Store and cloud streaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Both Valve and Google are officially ending the Steam for Chromebook Beta program, with installed games becoming unplayable after January 1, 2026, effectively ceasing Steam support on ChromeOS devices. However, some games like Hollow Knight and Celeste can provide a good experience on Chromebooks for those trying to get into PC gaming with limited hardware.
The closure of the Steam for Chromebook Beta may limit the options for playing Steam games on Chromebooks. A pop-up warning will appear when attempting to install Steam on Chromebooks, announcing the end of the beta app. The Steam for Chromebook Beta uses Valve's Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games, but its limited list of compatible titles may leave gamers with fewer options.
For freelance tech journalist Stevie Bonifield, the end of the Steam for Chromebook Beta may not be upsetting, as it was likely inevitable due to Chromebooks' hardware limitations. Stevie, who has interests outside of writing, including indie games, tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), and custom keyboard building, will continue to cover mobile tech, gaming gear, and accessories.
It's worth noting that Google's Stadia service, which shut down in early 2023, is not available as a cloud gaming option. However, cloud gaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming offer a larger library of games compared to the Steam for Chromebook Beta.
In sum, the combination of hardware inadequacies, low adoption, and strategic shifts in ChromeOS gaming support led to the termination of Steam’s beta program for Chromebooks. While this may limit the options for playing Steam games on Chromebooks, cloud gaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming may provide viable alternatives.
[1] https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/20/23077495/steam-for-chromeos-launch-valve-google-beta-pc-gaming [2] https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-for-chromeos-launching-in-beta-today/ [3] https://www.engadget.com/steam-for-chromeos-beta-launches-on-may-20-2202 [4] https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-for-chromeos-is-shutting-down-in-2026/
- Although the Steam for Chromebook Beta was initially launched in 2022, the platform's hardware limitations and poor adoption among gamers have led to its termination in January 2026.
- With the end of the Steam for Chromebook Beta program, gamers who were trying to get into PC gaming with limited hardware may find it challenging to play Steam games on their Chromebooks.
- Google's strategy of integrating ChromeOS with Android, which supports numerous games via the Google Play Store and cloud streaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming, may have played a role in the decision to discontinue the Steam for Chromebook Beta.
- Gadget enthusiasts interested in mobile tech, gaming gear, and accessories might find reports on the end of the Steam for Chromebook Beta and the rise of cloud gaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming intriguing.
