Valve’s Android Compatibility Layer for Linux Revealed as Lepton
GamingOnLinux recently discovered that Valve’s Android compatibility layer for Linux has been named Lepton. The listing on SteamDB revealed that Lepton is based on Waydroid, with the logo being changed to a cute froggy.
For those unfamiliar, Waydroid is a container-based compatibility layer that allows users to run Android apps on Linux. Similar to Valve’s compatibility layer for Windows games, Proton, Lepton seems to be the upcoming solution for running Android games on Linux.
A blank Steam page for Lepton confirms its existence, although there is no information available on its functionality yet. Speculations suggest that Lepton may have been developed with the intention of playing Android games on the Steam Frame, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
Valve engineer Jeremy Salan hinted at the VR headset’s support for Android games, indicating that developers can easily bring their apps from phones to the platform using the same APKs. With the Steam Frame set to launch in early 2026 alongside the new Steam Controller and Steam Machine, Lepton’s purpose becomes clearer.
While it remains uncertain if Lepton will be supported on other devices, the potential for playing Android games on the Steam Deck or desktops is intriguing. Emulators like Google Play Games and Bluestacks already offer ways to play Android games on PCs, making the prospect of gaming on Linux even more appealing.
Are you excited about the possibility of playing Android games on your Linux computer with Lepton?
