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Want to play games through Steam — including titles made only for Windows? No problem! In this article I walk you step by step through installing Steam via Flatpak, enabling Proton, and getting to your first games.
Updated: August 13, 2025 • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)
The .deb packages “steam” and “steam-installer” are currently problematic due to missing dependencies. With the Flatpak build you can get Steam running quickly and reliably — including Windows games via Proton.
Video guide
👉 Watch the video here (insert your link).
Step-by-step: Install Steam via Flatpak
🧰 Step 1: Install Flatpak
If Flatpak isn’t installed yet, run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak -y
🌐 Step 2: Add Flathub
Steam is distributed on the Flathub repository. Add it with:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
Afterwards, sign out and back in or reboot so Flatpak is fully initialized.
🎮 Step 3: Install & launch Steam
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam
flatpak run com.valvesoftware.Steam
On first launch, Steam downloads updates and prompts you to sign in.
🪄 Step 4: Enable Proton (Steam Play)
- Start Steam.
- Click Steam → Settings.
- Open Steam Play.
- Tick:
- ✅ Enable Steam Play for supported titles
- ✅ Enable Steam Play for all titles
- Select the latest Proton version (e.g., Proton 9.0 or Experimental).
This lets you run many Windows-only games on Linux.
🔧 Step 5 (optional): Proton GE (Game Edition)
Proton GE is a community build with additional patches that improve compatibility for some games.
- Download Proton GE from GitHub.
- Create this folder:
mkdir -p ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/compatibilitytools.d
- Extract the downloaded
.tar.gzdirectly into that folder. - Restart Steam → in a game’s Properties → Compatibility you can pick Proton GE.
🛠️ Tip: Folder access & sandbox (Flatpak)
Flatpak isolates apps. If Steam should access additional folders (e.g., external drives), install Flatseal:
flatpak install flathub com.github.tchx84.Flatseal
Open Flatseal → choose Steam → grant access to the folders/devices you want.
🔗 Useful links
- 🔍 ProtonDB — compatibility database
- 🛠️ Proton GE (GitHub)
- 📦 Steam on Flathub
With Flatpak you get a modern, secure, well-maintained Steam installation — plus Proton for Windows games.
Flatpak Steam shows “udev rules don’t seem to be installed” — how to fix it
Warning on launch:
“Steam input devices udev rules don't seem to be installed. If you experience issues with gamepads, consider installing 'steam-devices' package using your distribution package manager.”
What’s going on?
The Flatpak sandbox restricts access to devices (e.g., /dev/input). For gamepads to work, Steam needs proper permissions and udev rules on the system.
✅ Fix for the Flatpak build
Step 1: Allow access to input devices
sudo flatpak override com.valvesoftware.Steam --device=all --filesystem=/dev/input
Step 2: Install udev rules on the system (Ubuntu/Linux Mint/Debian)
sudo apt install steam-devices
📌 After that
- Unplug and replug your gamepad.
- Restart Steam (or reboot the PC if issues persist).
Check that you’re using the Flatpak build
flatpak list | grep Steam
If com.valvesoftware.Steam appears, you’re on the Flatpak build.
At-a-glance fix (table)
| Step | Command |
|---|---|
| 1. Allow device access | sudo flatpak override com.valvesoftware.Steam --filesystem=/dev/input --device=all |
| 2. Install udev rules | sudo apt install steam-devices |
Then
- Reconnect the gamepad.
- Restart Steam:
flatpak run com.valvesoftware.Steam - Under Settings → Controller, check that the device is detected.
🕹️ Flatpak vs .deb vs Snap — which Steam variant fits best?
Key differences
| Characteristic | Flatpak | .deb (APT) | Snap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isolation (sandbox) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hardware access | Restricted, extendable | Full | Restricted |
| Updates | Via Flatpak (system-agnostic) | Via APT | Automatic |
| Dependencies | Bundled | System libraries | Bundled |
| Disk footprint | Larger | Smaller | Larger |
| Compatibility | Broad; sometimes needs tweaking | Excellent on Debian/Ubuntu | Often weaker for gaming/VR |
Recommendations by distribution
| Distribution | Recommended Steam variant | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu / Linux Mint / Pop!_OS | .deb or Flatpak | .deb for full integration; Flatpak for sandboxing |
| Fedora | Flatpak | Better supported than Snap; .rpm not official |
| Arch Linux / Manjaro | Flatpak or AUR | Flatpak is easier; AUR is flexible |
| openSUSE | Flatpak | .rpm varies; Flatpak tends to be more stable |
| Steam Deck (SteamOS) | Flatpak (default) | Valve’s intended setup |
| Debian | .deb | Best integration with APT |
⚙️ Tip: Extend gamepad & device access in Flatpak
flatpak override com.valvesoftware.Steam --filesystem=/dev/input --device=all --filesystem=home
Even easier with Flatseal (a permissions GUI).
💬 My choice
I run Steam as a Flatpak on Ubuntu (Cinnamon). After a quick permissions tweak it’s stable and trouble-free.
FAQ
Do the .deb packages “steam”/“steam-installer” work reliably on Ubuntu 24.04?
They hit dependency issues at the moment. The Flatpak build is the fastest and most stable route.
Which Proton version should I use?
Use the latest stable release or Proton Experimental. For problematic titles, try Proton GE.
How do I let Steam access external drives?
Use flatpak override (see above) or the Flatseal GUI to grant specific folders.
How do I confirm that my Steam install is the Flatpak one?
Run:
flatpak list | grep Steam
If it shows com.valvesoftware.Steam, you’re on Flatpak.