A few days ago, Valve announced the release of the new version of " SteamOS 3.7.8 " in a blog post , marking the first stable release of the new 3.7 branch.
This operating system, which was initially developed for the Steam Deck, is now expanding with official support for portable devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go S and the ASUS ROG Ally , broadening its compatibility in the portable console market with AMD architecture.
For those unfamiliar with SteamOS , this Linux distribution is built on an updated version of Arch Linux (previously based on Debian). The system maintains its focus on performance with a GameScope-based graphical environment, a compositor that uses Wayland to efficiently launch games, and also includes a read-only root filesystem, atomic updates, Flatpak support, and the PipeWire media server.
Key new features in SteamOS 3.7.8
This new version of SteamOS 3.7.8 comes with the Linux Kernel 6.11 and is synchronized with the latest updates to the Arch Linux package base, in addition to which the desktop environment has been updated to KDE Plasma version 6.2.5.
Among the key new features are official support for the Lenovo Legion Go S console and improved integration with other AMD devices such as the ROG Ally. Additionally, the recovery image has been updated, allowing system restoration on Steam Deck and Legion Go S devices, as well as testing on other AMD-based systems.
SteamOS 3.7.8 introduces practical improvements such as limiting battery charging from the power settings. This feature allows charging to be capped at 80%, protecting the battery in devices that remain constantly connected, such as those docked to a cradle.
It also includes the ability to limit frames on screens with VRR (variable refresh rate), ensuring a smooth experience during gaming and multimedia playback.
Improvements to desktop, Bluetooth, performance, and controllers
In addition, SteamOS 3.7.8 features improvements across multiple aspects of the user experience, including:
- Desktop mode: KDE Filelight has been added to visualize disk usage and receive alerts when space is low. Support for gocryptfs has also been added, enabling file encryption using Plasma Vaults. Switching between game and desktop mode is now much faster and more stable.
- Bluetooth: HFP/HSP profiles are enabled, allowing the use of built-in microphones on wireless headsets, and the battery level of Bluetooth devices is displayed. Additionally, Bluetooth controllers can now wake the screen from sleep, including Steam Deck LCD models.
- Controls: Support for the ByoWave Proteus controller has been added, and bugs with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and input blocking upon exiting Steam have been fixed. Issues affecting gyroscope recognition have also been resolved.
- Graphics and performance: P-State power management is enabled on AMD CPUs, improving energy efficiency. Additionally, a performance regression in games like No Rest for the Wicked is fixed, and system responsiveness under low-memory conditions is improved.
- Sound: Surround sound now works correctly in desktop mode, and issues related to virtual devices such as filter-chain have been fixed.
For developers, SteamOS now includes links to debuginfod and preserves key system files during updates using new systemd rules. It also adopts the standard mkswap script for creating swap partitions, replacing the previous custom script. The steamos-readonly command now warns that its output may be inaccurate due to system extensions (sysexts).
Additionally, SteamOS now boots into desktop mode by default when running in virtual machines, and bugs that could cause duplicate entries in the boot manager on dual-boot setups have been fixed. The pacman cache is automatically cleared after each system update, preventing issues when switching branches or applying patches.
Finally, if you are interested in learning more, you can find the details at the following link.
Improvements for Steam Deck
This update also includes fixes for the Steam Deck client , such as the factory reset when selecting to reinstall SteamOS , and a solution to bugs that prevented the installation of certain applications on the Lenovo Legion Go S. A new tab has also been added to the library to view games compatible with SteamOS on that device.
As a final note, known issues remain, including misrecognition of disconnected Super NES controllers and a lack of support for Bluetooth wake-up on LCD models with controllers using Bluetooth LE.
Download SteamOS 3.7.8
For those interested in installing or trying SteamOS 3.7.8, the installation image is 3.1 GB and is available on Valve's official website. For enthusiasts, unofficial versions like HoloISO, suitable for PCs and third-party consoles, are also maintained.