Steam's Linux Client Goes 64-bit, Shedding i686 Library Dependency
Valve's Steam client beta makes the Linux version 64-bit and runs it in a Steam Runtime container, unifying the experience across distributions.
On October 15, 2026, Valve released a beta version of the Steam client. Among these, the Linux client became a 64-bit application. According to reporting by Phoronix’s Michael Larabel, Steam for Linux, which had long depended on 32-bit (i686) libraries, is now freed from that constraint.
What Changed
The biggest change in this beta is that the Steam client binary for Linux has been made 64-bit. Until now, Steam for Linux was provided as a 32-bit binary and required a set of libraries for the i686 architecture in order to run.
Phoronix’s Michael Larabel explains the significance of this change as follows.
The Steam Linux client was one of the few remaining holdouts for many Linux enthusiasts/gamers to still be relying on i686 libraries on their system.
(Japanese translation: The Steam Linux client was one of the few remaining factors keeping many Linux enthusiasts and gamers dependent on i686 libraries on their systems.)
Major distributions treat 64-bit environments as standard and are phasing out the provision of 32-bit libraries. That Steam continued to be a representative example requiring i686 libraries can be judged as a long-standing challenge for the Linux desktop.
Running Inside a Steam Runtime Container
The other change is that the Steam client itself now runs inside a Steam Runtime container. Steam Runtime is a mechanism that provides a common library environment when running games on Linux.
By having the client run inside this container, a consistent experience can be obtained across multiple distributions. Because the Runtime used by games and the Runtime used by the client become the same, problems caused by differences in dependencies are expected to decrease.
Valve cites as its intent for this change the use of the same Steam Runtime as games, in order to provide a more consistent experience across multiple distributions. This policy of absorbing differences between distributions works in the direction of raising the stability of Linux gaming.
The Path from the SteamRT3 Beta
This shift to 64-bit is not a sudden change. The SteamRT3 beta carried out in the first half of 2026 had been advancing preparations toward 64-bit and execution inside a Steam Runtime container. This beta is positioned as the final stage of a gradual transition.
SteamRT is a runtime environment provided by Valve that bundles the common libraries needed for games to run. The move to version 3 means switching to a newer library foundation. The 64-bit shift and containerization are design decisions on that same trajectory.
Impact on Linux Gaming
With Steam for Linux now 64-bit, users no longer necessarily need to install i686 libraries. On distributions that have ended the provision of 32-bit libraries, Steam had sometimes been a barrier to use. The significance of lowering this barrier is not small.
The use of Linux for gaming on custom-built PCs is increasing. Cases of installing gaming-oriented distributions have also been reported, such as DIY homemade Steam Machine, realized with fiber-optic HDMI and Bazzite. The 64-bit client works in the direction of making such environments easier to build.
Kernel-side work is proceeding in parallel. In Nova Lake S, 7 GPU IDs in Linux 7.3, identifiers for new GPUs were added to the kernel. As hardware support and client-side modernization advance at the same time, the foundations of Linux gaming are steadily being put in place.
Remaining Challenges
The move to 64-bit is progress, but it does not solve every problem. As long as old 32-bit-only games and tools remain, some users will need to maintain 32-bit compatible libraries.
Also, the migration to the Steam Runtime container may have a temporary impact on users running in special environments. Because this is a beta, the timing of its adoption into the stable version has not been disclosed. The full details of the changes are published on Steam’s community page.
Editorial Opinion
Over the next 3 to 6 months, the reduction of 32-bit libraries in Linux distributions may accelerate. In environments where Steam was the last bastion, there will be fewer reasons to postpone migration. The timing of the beta’s adoption into the stable version, and whether the migration brings any problems, will be the immediate focus.
From a 1- to 3-year perspective, the barrier to entry for Linux gaming looks likely to fall. If the client and games share the same Runtime foundation, distributions will also find it easier to unify around 64-bit-first designs. Cooperation with handheld gaming devices and SteamOS will also advance, and the range of supported environments may broaden.
On the other hand, the handling of 32-bit assets remains unresolved. The question of who will support compatibility for old games, and how, remains. Whether Valve’s policy spreads to other companies’ game distribution platforms and package management is also worth watching.
References
- “Today’s Steam Beta Makes The Linux Client A 64-bit App”, by Michael Larabel — Phoronix, 2026-10-15T22:08:08.000Z (ARR)
- Source URL: https://www.phoronix.com/news/Steam-Linux-Beta-64-bit
Frequently Asked Questions
- What changes when Steam's Linux version goes 64-bit?
- Steam for Linux will no longer require 32-bit i686 libraries. It becomes easier to install on distributions that have ended the provision of 32-bit libraries, and because the client and games share the same Steam Runtime, problems caused by differences in dependencies are expected to decrease.
- What is the Steam Runtime container?
- It is a common runtime environment for Linux provided by Valve. It bundles the libraries needed for games to run and absorbs differences between distributions. In this beta, the Steam client itself now runs inside this container as well.
- When will the beta become the stable version?
- The timing of its adoption into the stable version has not been disclosed. This beta follows the SteamRT3 beta from the first half of 2026, and it is expected to be rolled out gradually after repeated testing.
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