Linux Gaming: Valve could warn against using Ubuntu's Snap version of Steam

Since the introduction of the Steam Deck in February 2022, gaming on Linux has moved from a niche to a viable option for end users. However, it is the Linux distribution Ubuntu, popular with newcomers from Canonical, that is causing problems for Steam users with its self-created Snap package format. Under Ubuntu, the Snap package for the game client, which is not supported by Valve at all, is installed by default, even though an official Debian version is also available.

Valve developer recommends Steam's Debian package to Ubuntu users

"Valve is seeing an increasing number of bug reports about problems caused by Canonical's repackaging of the Steam client on Snap," writes Valve developer Timothée Besset on the social media platform Mastodon. Those using Ubuntu Linux, Ubuntu variants such as Kubuntu or Ubuntu Cinnamon, or the Debian Linux distribution on which Ubuntu is based, should instead install the Debian package following the instructions on GitHub.

Although Ubuntu manufacturer Canonical points out on the Snapcraft Store page of the Steam package that the Snap version is not officially supported by Valve and that problems should be reported to Canonical instead. However, anyone installing the Linux version of Steam on Ubuntu or the official Ubuntu flavours will automatically be offered Canonical's Snap version.

Steam app may soon warn of unsupported versions on Linux

In response to a Mastodon user's suggestion that the Snap version of Steam be recognised, Valve developer Timothée Besset replies: "The runtime report detects snap/flatpak (or it will). But generally we wouldn't error out .. user freedom and all that. If it gets really bad I guess we could start popping a warning."