Installing Battle.net on the Steam Deck opens up access to a vast library of popular titles like Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, and World of Warcraft. While Valve's handheld runs on Linux-based SteamOS, setting up non-Steam launchers is relatively straightforward once you know the proper steps. This complete guide walks you through downloading, configuring, and seamlessly running the Battle.net launcher on your portable console.
Switching to Desktop Mode and Downloading Installer
To begin the installation process, press the Steam button on your device, navigate to Power, and select Switch to Desktop. Once in Desktop Mode, open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Blizzard website to download the Battle.net setup file. Make sure to save the Windows executable file in a folder you can easily access, such as Downloads.
Using Desktop Mode is essential for managing non-Steam software installation files smoothly. It gives you full control over file directories and background tasks needed before returning to Gaming Mode. Taking a moment to organize your setup folder will make configuration much easier down the road.
Adding Battle.net to Steam as a Non-Steam Game
Open the Steam client while still in Desktop Mode and click on the Games menu at the top. Choose Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library from the drop-down menu, then browse to select the downloaded Battle.net setup file. After adding it, locate the setup file in your Steam library, right-click it, and open its Properties window.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab inside the Properties window and check the box to force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. Select a modern version of Proton Experimental or Proton GE from the list to ensure the launcher installer executes properly. Close the window and hit Play to launch the installation wizard.
Completing the Launcher Setup and Configuration
Follow the on-screen prompts of the Battle.net installer just as you would on a desktop Windows PC. Once the installation finishes, do not open the launcher immediately, as you need to update the file path in Steam. Locate the newly created Battle.net folder inside your virtual drive directory to target the actual launcher executable.
Right-click the shortcut in your Steam library again and update the Target path to point directly to Battle.net.exe instead of the setup file. This step ensures that clicking Play in Steam launches the actual application rather than running the installer repeatedly. You can also customize controller layouts at this stage for smoother navigation.
Optimizing Battle.net for Gaming Mode
After finalizing the path settings, switch your system back to Gaming Mode using the desktop shortcut. Launch Battle.net directly from your Non-Steam library tab to sign into your Blizzard account and start downloading games. You can customize the controller bindings using Steam's built-in input settings to navigate menus with the trackpads or thumbsticks.
Running games through Battle.net in Gaming Mode offers optimal performance and battery life management on the handheld. Each installed game can be customized with individual performance profiles depending on graphical demands. Enjoy playing your favorite Blizzard titles anywhere with seamless portable controls.