Steam finally updates iOS + Android app

The revamped Steam mobile app lets you set up two-factor authentication, sign in with a QR code, and even download games on the go.

On Wednesday, Valve announced a surprise update for the iOS and Android Steam apps. Having remained largely untouched for the best part of 10 years, the old Steam app was borderline pointless.

This upgraded version is definitely a huge improvement, but there are a couple of concerns.

Updated Steam app features

Available right now in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, this is the full list of features on the updated Steam app:

• Two-factor authentication to ensure you’re the only one with access to your account
• QR code sign-in – Scan a QR code to sign into Steam instead of entering a password or…
• Sign-in confirmation – Confirm your regular Steam sign-ins with simple “approve” or “deny”
• Authorized Devices – Manage access to the devices your account has signed in
• Easy access to the Store, Community, News, etc from wherever you are
• Your Library with access to your game content, discussions, guides, support, and more
• Remote download of games and updates on your PC, managed from your phone
• Customizable Steam notifications: wishlist, sales, comments, trades, discussions, friend requests, and more
• Trade and Market confirmations – to ensure items don’t leave your account without your approval
• An improved Store browsing experience for mobile screens
• Support for using multiple Steam accounts in the app
• Customizable tabs

For me, the remote download is the biggest win. Now you can download and update games on your PC wherever you are at the touch of a button. Perfect for those juicy Dota 2 patches!

Two-factor authentication is a great addition too. This makes the mobile app the safest way to access your Steam account.

What about chatting?

The main gripe early users have had with the “new” Steam app is that you can’t talk to friends on there. You’ll instead need to use the separate Steam Chat app.

• Up next: THE BEST FREE-TO-PLAY GAMES ON STEAM

On the plus side, the Steam Chat app is also getting updated with some crucial bug fixes. However, it would be a lot nicer if everything was in one place.

Overall though, the response has been positive – good job Valve! Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait quite so long next time around…