Epic Games has confirmed that its rebuilt Epic Games Launcher will officially support SteamOS, putting the Epic Games Store on Valve’s handheld-first operating system for the first time. The confirmation came from Epic’s communications director Jake Jones in comments to GamingOnLinux, and was picked up by The Verge on Sunday 8 November 2026.
Epic Games Launcher SteamOS at a glance
| Detail | Confirmed position |
|---|---|
| SteamOS support | Planned and confirmed by Epic; no date given |
| Steam Deck | Covered by the SteamOS plan |
| Other distributions named | Fedora, Cachy, Omarchy, and more |
| Launcher status | Still in Preview |
| Works today | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer, Debian 12 or newer (official .deb) |
| Fedora | Listed as coming soon in Epic’s FAQ |
| AppImage build | Returning in November 2026 |
| Fortnite on SteamOS | Not confirmed; anti-cheat hurdle unresolved |
| Preview version tested | 0.113.0 (9 November 2026) |
The exact words Epic gave GamingOnLinux
GamingOnLinux asked Epic which Linux distributions the new launcher would really support, after the preview arrived in October with only Ubuntu, Debian and Fedora listed. Jones replied: “The new Epic Games Launcher is still in Preview and we plan to support as many Linux distributions as possible, including Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy, Omarchy, and more. We’re testing and evaluating packaging formats for distribution, and we’ll restore AppImage this month.”
That wording matters because it is a plan, not a launch date. SteamOS is now explicitly on the list, which it was not when the preview first appeared. Epic has not said when the SteamOS build will ship, and the company is still deciding how to package the launcher for each distribution.
Where the launcher stands today, and the AppImage return
The redesigned launcher entered preview in October 2026 for Windows, macOS and Linux. On Linux it first shipped as an AppImage, a single file that runs on most distributions, before switching to a .deb package for Debian and Ubuntu. The current official .deb installs version 0.113.0, checked on 9 November 2026.
Epic says the AppImage will return during November, which should make installation simpler on handhelds and distributions outside the Debian family. Until the packaging settles, users may see download options change while the preview continues. Purchases, installed games, cloud saves and progress carry over from an Epic account, although Epic warns that a few social and account features from the old launcher are still missing in the preview.
Why Steam Deck owners should not expect Fortnite yet
The launcher and the game are two separate questions. Fortnite needs Epic’s new Easy Anti-Cheat Linux v2, which depends on Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, a signed kernel and other security features. Epic has said the Steam Deck does not support the required features for its EAC v2 solution, and that it is talking with Valve in the hope of supporting it in future.
Epic said in October 2026 that it was investigating making Fortnite compatible with SteamOS. That investigation has not produced a confirmed date, and the launcher announcement changes nothing on that front. Players should also remember that many games in the Epic Games Store are Windows-only builds, and those may need a compatibility layer such as Proton or Wine before they run on Linux at all.
What official SteamOS support would change for Linux gaming
SteamOS runs on the Steam Deck and Valve’s other SteamOS machines, so official support would put the Epic Games Store on the most popular Linux gaming device without community workarounds. Steam Deck owners currently rely on community launchers in Desktop Mode to reach their Epic libraries, and an official build would remove that friction.
The move also lands in a wider shift. GamingOnLinux noted that GOG Galaxy for Linux has also been confirmed, and that direct, official support from rival stores is what the platform needs long term. Competition between storefronts on the same handheld is good for players, and 2027 is shaping up as a strong year for Linux gaming if both launchers arrive as promised. The timing is striking too: the news comes in the same week that the biggest game launch of the year dominates the charts, with our earlier report on GTA 6’s reported 210 GB PS5 download showing how much storage the next wave of blockbusters demands, and Ubisoft’s free Valhalla 1.8.0 update adding New Game+ and PS5 Pro support.
What Steam Deck owners can do while they wait
Nothing changes on the Deck today, so owners should keep using the tools that already work. Community launchers in Desktop Mode remain the route into Epic libraries, and Steam with Proton and Lutris remain the easiest way to run many Windows-only Epic titles. Check each game before installing it, since a store listing does not guarantee a Linux build exists. When Epic ships the official build, the AppImage or a SteamOS package should make the switch straightforward, and existing purchases and saves will carry over through the Epic account.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Epic Games Launcher available on SteamOS now? No. Epic has confirmed SteamOS is on the planned support list, but it has given no release date and the launcher remains in preview.
When will the Epic Games Launcher arrive on Steam Deck? No date has been announced. Epic says it is testing packaging formats and will restore the AppImage build during November 2026.
Will Fortnite run on the Steam Deck once the launcher arrives? Not necessarily. Fortnite needs Easy Anti-Cheat Linux v2, which the Steam Deck does not currently support. Epic says it is talking with Valve about it, but there is no confirmed date.
What is AppImage, and why does its return matter? AppImage is a single-file format that runs on most Linux distributions without a separate installer. Its return should make the launcher easier to install on SteamOS and other distributions outside Debian and Ubuntu.
Will I have to buy my Epic games again on SteamOS? No. Purchases, installed games, cloud saves and progress are tied to the Epic account and carry over to the launcher on any supported system.
Myth check: the claim that SteamOS support means Fortnite is coming to the Steam Deck is not supported. Epic has confirmed only the launcher, and the anti-cheat requirements that block Fortnite remain unresolved.
