Google to Reportedly Shut Down Support for Steam for Chromebook in 2026

Google is reportedly losing give a boost to for the Steam for Chromebook Beta programme on the finish of this yr. As in step with the file, Chromebook customers making an attempt to release the beta app are actually getting a pop-up message informing them in regards to the upcoming discontinuation. The Mountain View-based tech massive has reportedly set January 1, 2026, because the date to tug the plug on Steam. After that, even the pre-installed video games will mechanically be got rid of from customers’ units. The corporate didn’t point out a explanation why for shutting down the mission.

Chromebooks Will Soon Stop Supporting Steam Games

According to a 9to5Google report, Google is now appearing all Chromebook customers a message informing them in regards to the discontinuation after they try to set up or release Steam. For now, the beta app works tremendous, however this might not be the case beginning in 2026.

The message reportedly reads, “The Steam for Chromebook Beta program will conclude on January 1st, 2026. After this date, video games put in as a part of the Beta will not be to be had to play for your instrument. We admire your participation in and contribution to learnings from the beta program, which can tell the way forward for Chromebook gaming.”

Google first began the method of optimising Steam for Chromebook in March 2022 when the corporate began the Steam for Chromebook alpha programme. By November 2022, the alpha programme used to be closed, and the platform used to be driven to the beta section, decreasing the {hardware} necessities. Notably, Steam for Chromebook makes use of the Linux model of the sport, and Google maintains 99 other titles which might be appropriate with the running device.

However, regardless of transferring to beta, Steam didn’t obtain any main replace afterwards, and the brand new message has now closed the curtains at the mission. Interestingly, give a boost to for Steam performed a very powerful function in Google’s push for Gaming Chromebooks. After January 1, customers will nonetheless have the ability to play Android video games from the Play Store; alternatively, {the catalogue} does now not fit as much as what Steam provides.

The simplest different possibility to be had to Chromebook customers is choosing a cloud-based gaming carrier equivalent to Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, or Amazon Luna.