Valve Expanding Gaming Software Portfolio with Android Compatibility Layer
PC gaming giant Valve is reportedly in the process of building an Android compatibility layer known as Lepton, as per Gaming on Linux sources. While official confirmation of the name is scarce, a Steam store page showcases a froggy logo associated with it, and SteamDB suggests that it may have originated as a fork of Waydroid.
Waydroid, which currently enables running an Android system within Linux, shares similarities with how WSL operates Linux within Windows. Given Valve’s experience with SteamOS and Proton, which facilitates running Windows PC games on Linux, the development of Lepton aligns with their expertise and brand.
With the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset set to utilize a Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, the integration of Lepton could potentially enable users to run Android apps in virtual reality upon the headset’s launch. This development hints at a future where Android games might also be playable on devices like the upcoming Steam Machine desktop PC.
Looks like we have the first “official” Android app on Steam! Walkabout Minigolf! If you own this game on Steam already, you will have access to the Android version on Steam Frame day one. It’s not a separate purchase. Just a new branch of the same AppID 🥹 pic.twitter.com/CnZieweCrP November 19, 2025
Recent additions of ‘androidarm64’ references in Valve’s Steamworks SDK, along with hints from Brad Lynch regarding Walkabout Minigolf being the first Android game on Steam Frame in VR, further support the expansion towards Android compatibility. The inclusion of ‘linuxarm64’ in the SDK aligns with the ARM64 Snapdragon SoC used in Valve’s VR headset.
While the possibility of AAA Android games making their way to desktop PCs or SteamOS devices remains speculative, the groundwork laid by Waydroid suggests potential for such expansions in a standard OS environment. Ultimately, the demand for Android gaming on non-VR platforms will play a crucial role in shaping Valve’s future endeavors in this space.
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