Steam Remote Play: Stream Local Multiplayer Anywhere

Steam Remote Play lets you invite friends to join your local multiplayer games over the internet, even if they don’t own the game. You host the session, and up to four friends (or more, depending on the game) can join as if they were sitting next to you. This guide covers everything you need to set it up, avoid common pitfalls, and fix issues when things don’t work.

What You’ll Need

• Steam account for you and each friend (free to create).
• A game that supports local multiplayer (e.g., Cuphead, Overcooked, Rocket League in local mode). Check the game’s Steam store page for “Remote Play” tags.
• Stable internet connection for both host and guests. Upload speed on the host’s side is critical—at least 5 Mbps for 720p, 15 Mbps for 1080p.
• Steam client installed on the host’s PC (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
• Steam client or Steam Link app on the guest’s device (PC, Mac, Android, iOS, or TV).
• Controllers for each player (optional but recommended for most local multiplayer games).

Step-by-Step

1. Enable Remote Play on the host PC. Open Steam, go to Steam > Settings > Remote Play, and check “Enable Remote Play.” Leave the other settings at default unless you have specific needs.
2. Add friends on Steam. Both you and your guests need to be Steam friends. Click your profile name > Friends > Add a Friend, and send an invite.
3. Launch the local multiplayer game. Start the game on the host PC. Make sure it’s running in windowed or borderless mode if possible—fullscreen can sometimes cause display issues for remote players.
4. Start a Remote Play session. While the game is running, open the Steam overlay (Shift+Tab). Click View All Friends (or the friends list icon), then select the friend you want to invite. Click the arrow next to their name and choose Remote Play Together. Your friend will receive a notification to join.
5. Guest accepts and joins. The guest clicks “Join” in the notification. They’ll see a loading screen, then the game’s video feed. They can use their keyboard/mouse or a connected controller.
6. Assign controllers (if needed). If the game requires multiple controllers, the host can go to Steam > Settings > Controller and configure each guest’s controller as a virtual Xbox or PlayStation controller. For most games, Steam handles this automatically.
7. Adjust streaming quality for smoothness. On the host’s Steam Remote Play settings, you can set bandwidth limits. If guests experience lag, lower the resolution or bitrate. Guests can also adjust their own streaming settings in the Steam Link app.
8. End the session. When done, the host can close the game or press Shift+Tab and select “End Remote Play.” Guests can also disconnect at any time.

Common Mistakes

• Not enabling Remote Play on the host. The setting is off by default. Without it, the option to invite won’t appear.
• Inviting a friend who is in offline mode. They must be online and visible to receive the invite.
• Using a game that doesn’t support local multiplayer. Remote Play only works if the game has a local co-op or versus mode. Check the store page for “Local Multiplayer” or “Remote Play Together” tags.
• Expecting guests to need a copy of the game. They don’t—that’s the whole point. But they do need a Steam account and a stable connection.
• Ignoring upload speed. A fast download speed doesn’t help if your upload is slow. Test at speedtest.net and aim for at least 10 Mbps upload.
• Having too many players. The host’s PC handles all the processing. If you try to stream to 4 guests on a mid-range laptop, it will stutter.

Tips

• Use a wired connection for the host PC. Ethernet reduces latency and packet loss compared to Wi-Fi.
• Close bandwidth-heavy apps like video streaming or large downloads on the host machine during the session.
• Set a custom bandwidth limit in Steam Remote Play settings (e.g., 10 Mbps for 720p, 20 Mbps for 1080p) to avoid saturating your connection.
• Use the Steam Link app on a TV for guests who want a console-like experience. It’s available on Android TV, Apple TV, and some smart TVs.
• For games that don’t support multiple controllers natively, use Steam’s controller configuration to map each guest’s controller to a separate virtual device.
• Test with one guest first before inviting a full group. This helps isolate connection issues.

Troubleshooting

• Guest can’t join or sees a black screen. Check that the host’s firewall isn’t blocking Steam. Add Steam to the allowed apps in Windows Defender Firewall. Also, try launching the game in windowed mode.
• High latency or lag. Lower the streaming resolution and bitrate in Steam Remote Play settings. Make sure the host’s upload speed is sufficient. Close other programs that use the internet.
• Audio issues. Ensure the host’s audio output is set to the default device. In Steam Remote Play settings, try “Disable Audio Streaming” and re-enable it.
• Controller not working for guest. Go to Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings and enable “Xbox Configuration Support” or “PlayStation Configuration Support.” The guest should also check that their controller is detected in Steam.
• Game runs fine but remote video is choppy. The host’s PC might be underpowered. Close other games or applications. Also, try setting the game’s graphics to lower settings to reduce GPU load.
• Remote Play option is grayed out. Make sure the game is currently running. If it’s a game that doesn’t support Remote Play (e.g., some multiplayer-only online games), the option will be disabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do my friends need to own the game?
A: No. Steam Remote Play lets them join your session without owning the game. They only need a Steam account and a compatible device.

Q: How many players can join?
A: Up to 4 players total (including the host) for most games. Some games may allow more, but it depends on the game’s local multiplayer support and your PC’s performance.

Q: Can I use Remote Play on a mobile device?
A: Yes, guests can use the Steam Link app on Android or iOS. They’ll need a Bluetooth controller or use touch controls if the game supports them.

Q: Does Remote Play work with any game?
A: No. Only games that have local multiplayer (split-screen, same-screen co-op, or local versus) support Remote Play. Online-only multiplayer games are not compatible.

Q: What internet speed do I need?
A: The host needs an upload speed of at least 5 Mbps for 720p, 15 Mbps for 1080p. Guests need a download speed of similar magnitude. Lower speeds will cause lag and visual artifacts.

Q: Can I use Remote Play if I’m behind a router?
A: Yes, Steam uses NAT traversal to establish a direct connection. If that fails, it uses a relay server. In rare cases, you may need to enable UPnP on your router.

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