As of 2025, you can play games from the Epic Games Store on your Steam Deck by using third-party launcher apps—primarily Heroic Games Launcher. This is supported on both LCD and OLED models of the Steam Deck and does not require installing Windows.
Step-by-step process:
- Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck.
- Open the Discover Software Center.
- Search for and install "Heroic Games Launcher" [1] [2] [3] [6] [7] [8].
- Log in to your Epic Games account in Heroic Games Launcher and download your games [1] [2] [3] [5].
- Optionally, add Heroic Games Launcher as a non-Steam game through Steam’s desktop client so you can launch it from Gaming Mode [1] [2] [5].
- Some users also report using the Epic Games Launcher natively on SteamOS with Proton, but the user experience and compatibility are generally better with Heroic [5].
Limitations and caveats:
- Not all Epic Games titles will be compatible, mainly those with anti-cheat systems that do not support Linux/SteamOS (e.g., Fortnite cannot be played natively, but can be accessed via Xbox Cloud Gaming) [2] [3] [9].
- The interface may be less streamlined than the default Steam experience, and certain features (like in-game overlays) may not be available with all games or launchers.
- Installation procedures may vary slightly depending on system updates and launcher versions [3] [7].
In summary:
Heroic Games Launcher remains the recommended, most up-to-date method for playing Epic Games titles on the Steam Deck in 2025, though game support will vary depending on compatibility with Linux and Proton [2] [3] [6] [7] [8].