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Steam launches in-beta iOS, Android app

Half-Life house's free mobile application currently in testing phase; full version lets users chat with friends, view screenshots, read news.

Valve is bringing the Steam platform to mobile devices. Today, the developer announced the beta release of a Steam mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Soon gamers can stuff their pockets with Steam.

Soon gamers can stuff their pockets with Steam.

Gamers can download the Steam app today from iTunes or the Android Marketplace and log in with their credentials to express interest in joining the beta. Valve said users will be added to the beta as the service "ramps up."

When the Steam app launches in full, it will allow users to chat with their Steam friends, browse community groups and profiles, view screenshots and user-generated content, read news, and keep up with sales Steam may be running.

With its new mobile app, Valve joins the likes of Bungie, Microsoft, Activision, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, and others in offering an on-the-go dedicated application for its service.

Valve's Steam online distribution and social hub currently boasts 40 million users, and it reached an all-time high concurrent user tally of 5 million earlier this month.

31 Comments

  • Syk0_k03r

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 8:44 pm GMT

    great. Now it's a matter of time before all mobile games require steam.
    RIP mobile gaming

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 7:16 pm GMT

    I wonder if it will allow you to make purchases and wishlist updates from within the app...

  • Ronnie_Rim

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 5:24 pm GMT

    All hail Gabe Newell, supreme overlord of the PC!

  • snxx

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 11:10 am GMT

    I know they're not doing this app for gaming, but it would be amazing if it did something similar to what Steam does do Mac: if you own a Mac and a PC and you buy a game for PC, if there's a Mac compatible version of that game, you "own" it too. Now, let's take Anomaly Warzone as an example: you buy it for your PC and then you can play it on your iPhone or Android just like that. Awesomeness!

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 9:55 am GMT

    Cool beans

  • Frosty192

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 8:22 am GMT

    ABOUT TIME WOOT!

  • Cwagmire21

    Posted Jan 27, 2012 7:43 am GMT

    Downloaded yesterday and saw it was in beta, but I assumed that just meant the app was in beta not that you needed beta access. Aw shucks.

  • Gooshnads

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 9:54 pm GMT

    Now I can tell my girlfriendless friends that I have to go out with the girlfriend and ditch that night of DotA 2 shenanigans...

    MMMMMM Axe with Aghanim's =P

  • jamyskis

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 9:49 pm GMT

    Probably be useful to check what the daily deal is if I'm on the road, but pretty useless otherwise. Good for those that actually have a noteworthy friends list in Steam though. Me - I'll stick with Raptr and Xfire.

  • Gv0zD

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 8:59 pm GMT

    @HollowNinja,
    People buy and will buy consoles becuasr of pc ugrade costs and console exclusive games. It is hardly dependant on the availability of services such as steam.

    Anyway, it's a shame they didn't make it available for WP7

  • reiko_sawamura

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 8:48 pm GMT

    Eh, when they add mobile games to it I'll probably pick it up, but until then, pass.

  • chevydriver1123

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 8:10 pm GMT

    Can Blackberry get some love from Valve too?

  • cheamo

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 7:19 pm GMT

    Been wanting something official like this for a while, there is a few similar independent apps like this out there but nothing really all that great that I've found. I'm personally hoping that you'll be able to eventually buy games directly on this, and also maybe be able to remotely control your steam library on a computer, as in download or delete games or whatever. It would be cool if they eventually had games for phones too, it would be nice to have a service that linked bought apps to an account rather than a device (on Android at least, can't speak for Apple products). Honestly, Google should really have something like that anyways. I personally would be pretty hesitant to pay $30-$60 for a game I'm not going to be able to play when I inevitably replace my phone down the line no matter how good that game is. The fact that people only want to spend $5-$10 on an app is definitely one of the things holding the mobile gaming market back IMO. /tangent

    Anyways, good job Valve. Now if you'd only make a better library sorting system for those of us with 50+ games.

  • RobertWampler

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 7:11 pm GMT

    Well where is my app for my phone? wp7 is much better than ios and android.

  • imprezawrx500

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 5:57 pm GMT

    Now they just need to sell games for phones through it and it would be amazing.

  • majere613

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 5:28 pm GMT

    Er. I'm pretty sure I've already used Steampowered to buy a Steam game with my Android phone via the browser, unless my memory has gone totally cuckoo. I suppose it adds convenience.

  • dpsolo

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 4:56 pm GMT

    ==========================

    NOT WORKING WITH iPhone 3G

    ==========================

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 4:52 pm GMT

    So... it still doesn't let these devices play Steam games?

    Only for Valve-bots, I would say.

  • OJdaLIONKing

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 4:52 pm GMT

    Interesting. I think I might look into this so I can keep up with sales. As far as digital distribution goes, Steam is by far the best in the business.

  • dxf-Kicker

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 4:19 pm GMT

    You can thank EA for that..

  • Arther-la-Blunt

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 4:13 pm GMT

    Steam is the best, but it really makes me mad that Dragon Age 3, Battlefield 3, and Mass Effect 3 are not on Steam.

  • dxf-Kicker

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 3:06 pm GMT

    Okay, weird. I downloaded and attempted to log in. My account on the laptop signed out, but even though i entered an access code, i got through email, i still cannot log in. Strange.

  • mjc0961

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 2:57 pm GMT

    Okay, that's nice. I'd rather see useful features added to Steam though.

  • RE2LeonS

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 2:46 pm GMT

    Finally! Downloaded and installing!

  • HollowNinja

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 2:21 pm GMT

    I love Steam. It's a wonder people still buy consoles.

  • Evz0rz

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 2:18 pm GMT

    Not seeing anything about being able to purchase games off the app. My wallet is safe.....for now

  • Soothsayer42

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 1:56 pm GMT

    About time!

  • Bigfatlardygit

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 1:55 pm GMT

    I wonder if the app will be able to access Steam's servers on a more regular basis than the windows version...

  • DemonChorro

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 1:54 pm GMT

    Steam never disappoints.

  • SolidTy

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 1:41 pm GMT


    Steam is coming to mobile devices, pretty slick!

  • Raeldor

    Posted Jan 26, 2012 1:26 pm GMT

    Wow, fantastic! Can't wait for the full release. I hope signing into this doesn't mean I'll be signed out on my PC though.

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