Steam Remote Play Together Setup Guide

Steam Remote Play Together lets you invite friends to play local multiplayer games over the internet, even if they don’t own the game. This guide walks you through the entire setup, from checking requirements to troubleshooting common issues.

What You’ll Need

• A Steam account and the Steam client installed on your PC (or Mac, or even a Steam Deck).
• A stable internet connection with decent upload speed (at least 5 Mbps recommended for the host).
• A game that supports local multiplayer (couch co-op, split-screen, or same-screen multiplayer).
• Your friend needs a Steam account and the Steam client installed, but they do not need to own the game.
• Optional but recommended: a controller for each player, or a keyboard and mouse for the guest.

Step-by-Step

1. Update Steam: Make sure both you and your friend have the latest version of Steam installed. Restart Steam if an update is pending.
2. Check game compatibility: Look for the “Remote Play Together� tag on the game’s store page. If it’s not listed, check the game’s community hub or the developer’s website—most local multiplayer games support it, but some do not.
3. Launch the game: Start the game you want to play. It must be running for the Remote Play Together option to appear.
4. Open the Steam Overlay: While in-game, press Shift + Tab (default) to bring up the Steam overlay.
5. Invite a friend: In the overlay, click on “Remote Play Together� in the top menu. A list of your online friends will appear. Click the friend you want to invite, then click “Invite�.
6. Friend accepts: Your friend will receive a notification in their Steam client. They need to click “Join� to accept the invitation.
7. Confirm connection: Once they join, you’ll see a notification in-game. The guest’s screen will show your game, and they can now control the game with their own controller or keyboard/mouse.
8. Adjust settings if needed: If the game has multiple local players, the guest can press a button (usually Enter or Start) to join as player 2. You can also manage who’s connected via the overlay’s “Remote Play Together� menu.
9. End the session: To stop, either close the game or click the “End Session� button in the overlay. Your friend will be disconnected.

Common Mistakes

• Game not running: Some users try to invite from the Steam library page before launching the game. The option only appears while the game is running.
• Friend doesn’t see the invite: The invite notification can be easy to miss. Ask your friend to check their Steam chat window or the “Notificationsâ€� bell in the bottom-right corner of Steam.
• Controller not working: If the guest’s controller isn’t recognized, make sure it’s connected before joining the session. Also, check that the game itself supports multiple controllers.
• Host has low upload speed: Remote Play streams your screen to the guest, so a slow upload will cause lag. Close any bandwidth-heavy apps (like streaming services or large downloads) on the host machine.
• Firewall blocking: Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus may block Steam’s Remote Play. Allow Steam through the firewall or temporarily disable it to test.

Tips

• Use Ethernet: For the best experience, connect both the host and guest to the internet via Ethernet cables instead of Wi-Fi.
• Adjust streaming settings: In Steam’s Settings > Remote Play, you can change the streaming quality. Lower the resolution or bitrate if you experience lag.
• Voice chat: Use Steam’s built-in voice chat or a separate app like Discord so you can talk to your friend while playing.
• Test with a simple game first: Try a lightweight game like “Overcookedâ€� or “Cupheadâ€� before tackling a resource-heavy title.
• Multiple guests: You can invite up to four friends, but each additional guest increases the bandwidth needed. The host’s upload speed must be sufficient (about 5 Mbps per guest).
• Steam Link app: If your friend has a smart TV, phone, or tablet, they can use the Steam Link app to join, but they still need a controller.

Troubleshooting

Guest can’t join: If the invite doesn’t work, try restarting both Steam clients. Also, ensure both of you are online (not “Invisible� or “Offline�).

Lag or stuttering: Lower the streaming resolution in Steam Settings > Remote Play > Advanced. Also, close any background programs that use the internet.

Audio issues: If the guest hears no sound, check that in the overlay’s Remote Play Together menu, the “Audio� option is enabled. Also, ensure the game’s audio is set to “Stereo� (not 5.1 or 7.1) in the game’s settings.

Guest sees a black screen: This often happens with games that use anti-cheat or DRM. Try running the game in “Windowed� or “Borderless� mode instead of fullscreen. Also, disable any overlays (like Discord or GeForce Experience) that might conflict.

Controller not detected: Make sure the guest’s controller is plugged in or paired before joining. In Steam Settings > Controller, enable “Xbox Configuration Support� or “PlayStation Configuration Support� as needed.

“Remote Play Together� option missing: This can happen if the game doesn’t support it, or if Steam is in offline mode. Check the game’s store page for the tag. Also, verify that you have enabled “Remote Play� in Steam Settings > Remote Play > “Enable Remote Play�.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my friend need to own the game?

No, only the host needs to own the game. The guest simply streams the host’s screen and sends their input back.

Can we use the same controller?

No, each player needs their own input device. The host can use a controller or keyboard/mouse, and the guest can use their own controller or keyboard/mouse.

Can I play with more than one friend?

Yes, you can invite up to four friends, but the game must support at least that many local players. The more guests, the more bandwidth required.

Does Remote Play Together work on Mac?

Yes, both Mac and PC can host or join Remote Play Together sessions. The Steam Link app also works on mobile devices, but the game itself must be running on a PC or Mac.

Why is there a delay?

Some input lag is normal because the video is streamed over the internet. A delay of 50-100ms is typical. To reduce it, use a wired connection, lower the streaming quality, and ensure the host’s upload speed is sufficient.

Can I use Remote Play Together with a game that requires two players to be on the same screen?

Yes, that’s exactly what it’s designed for. The guest appears as a second player on the host’s screen, and both of you can play as if you were sitting together.

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