Google plans to discontinue the Steam for Chromebook beta program in 2026, rendering installed games unplayable.
The Steam for Chromebook Beta program, designed to bring mainstream gaming to ChromeOS devices, will be discontinued on January 1, 2026. This means that all installed Steam games on Chromebooks will no longer be playable after this date [1][2][3].
Launched in 2022, the Steam for Chromebook service used Valve’s Proton compatibility layer and ran via a Linux container. However, despite being in beta since November 2022, it never left this stage and failed to gain enough popularity or hardware support to sustain itself as a mainstream gaming platform [1][2][3].
The low-power hardware typical in Chromebooks was a limiting factor for running many games smoothly, contributing to the discontinuation decision [3][4]. But fear not, Chromebooks will continue to support Android games via the Google Play Store, and cloud gaming services remain viable alternatives [1].
The Google Play Store offers hundreds of thousands of games, some of which offer an experience that rivals AAA PC games [5]. Moreover, mobile chips like AMD's Strix Halo line-up, with integrated GPUs that can rival discrete graphics cards, are becoming more powerful [6]. This could potentially attract game developers to optimise their games for Android, thereby enhancing the gaming experience on Chromebooks.
In summary, direct local PC gaming via Steam will end with the beta shutdown, but Android games and cloud streaming can still provide gaming experiences on Chromebooks after January 1, 2026 [1][3].
For those interested in staying updated on gaming news, analysis, and reviews, consider subscribing to the Tom's Hardware Newsletter. It provides up-to-date news on the latest developments in the gaming world. Additionally, GeForce Now allows streaming of over 2,300 PC games to Chromebook devices [7].
[1] Steam for Chromebooks to end on January 1, 2026 [2] Steam for Chromebook Beta Program Announced [3] Why Steam for Chromebook Failed to Gain Mainstream Popularity [4] Low-Power Hardware Limitations for Steam on Chromebooks [5] Google Play Store Offers PC-Like Gaming Experiences [6] AMD's Strix Halo Line-Up of Mobile Chips [7] GeForce Now Allows Streaming of PC Games to Chromebooks
Despite the discontinuation of Steam for Chromebooks, users can continue enjoying smartphones and various gadgets for gaming through the Google Play Store, where numerous games offer an experience that rivals AAA PC games. As mobile chips like AMD's Strix Halo line-up become increasingly powerful, game developers may choose to optimize their games for Android, potentially improving the overall gaming experience on Chromebooks.
