Steam is getting a brand new mobile app
The new Steam mobile app is currently in limited public beta for Android and iOS.
If you’ve ever used the Steam mobile app before, you’ve likely thought the same thing as most: it’s a crappy application. It’s no secret that the app has long been neglected and feels stuck in the past.
Thankfully, it looks like Valve is finally looking to turn it around. The company recently announced that an upgraded Steam app for phones is currently in limited public beta. You can learn more about the beta and read sign-up instructions here.
In a lot of ways, it doesn’t really matter how good Steam or its mobile app looks. The digital storefront is the most ubiquitous in video gaming, with over 120 million players using the service. But the beta app represents a turn towards a better experience for users, which is always appreciated.
Inside the new Steam mobile app
To be frank, the Steam mobile app was in need of dire updating, as it’s always felt stuck in the past. I’ve given the new Steam mobile app a quick look for this piece, and it definitely looks like an improvement right off the bat. With some nice quality-of-life improvements, the app feels far less outdated even if some aspects like the UI still need a bit of tweaking.
Some of the new features include:
- Steam Notifications: Receive the same notifications you’d receive via email or the desktop Steam application right on your phone. This includes friend requests, game download status, and sales information.
- Improved Steam Authentication: You can now scan a QR code to sign in on a device. Alternatively, you can also confirm a sign-in with a simple approve or deny button press.
- Redesigned Library: The mobile Library now has a new view based on the current desktop application. It has also ported over the News feed based on your library, letting you get updates on your purchased games on the go.
- Browsing Improvements. Steam has made adjustments to the store browsing and trade confirmation systems, among others, to make the mobile experience more intuitive.
Have you given the new Steam mobile app a try? What do you think of it so far? Let us know!
Via Steam.
