I'll save you all a click: https://flathub.org/apps/org.prismlauncher.PrismLauncher
Use either Midnight Controls, or Controlify if you want to use the gamepad. Midnight Controls has a Steam Deck profile built-in.
this post was submitted on 07 Apr 2025
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Steam Hardware
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I've used both of those mods and they're great. These days I use a pre-built modpack like "fabulously optimized" to update and include all the mods for me. (there are tons of similar packs like this). Those can still play on vanilla servers.
Avoid the "steam deck" modpacks, as many of them are abandoned or straight up don't run at all. Stick to the very popular, well-tested packs if you do use a modpack at all. Even if they aren't branded with some sort of "works on steam deck" note. They will probably still work.
And of course, +1 for prism. It's the only recommendable option for steam deck or standard PC play these days.
Although it's been half a year since I last played Minecraft, that was the route I went with as well. Fabulously Optimized is a great place to start as a base for making ones own custom modpack (with Prism Launcher of course).
There's also a couple modpacks on Modrinth for the deck that include Controlify alongside some graphics mods to make things run smoothly: https://modrinth.com/modpack/minecraft-steam-deck-edition
I chose not to include them since they aren't updated frequently, and in my experience often require the user to do some fiddling. If you're experienced in setting up modpacks, then they are a decent starting point though.
I mean, Prism makes it dead simple, probably moreso than even just a single mod because you can do it from the "Create Instance" menu.
https://prismlauncher.org/wiki/getting-started/download-modpacks/
Yes, but then you need to go in and change out some of the mods that aren't up-to-date, which for some users is intimidating.
How do you mean? Modrinth modpacks do this automatically (on the website), and I'm pretty certain Prism automatically downloads new versions of the modpack that are compatible.
Java Minecraft. For anyone who got their hopes up that it was bedrock.
Why do you prefer bedrock?
I don’t. But I want to play with my kids who have a switch.
You can set up a server with GeyserMC then 😄
how easy is setup for Geyser?
I haven't set it up for quite a while, but iirc it's simple to setup but can take a bit of time to troubleshoot when issues do pop up
Also, some game mechanics differ between bedrock / Java, so some actions Bedrock players can usually take may be dismissed by the server (those are rare occurences, but only for very specific and consistant mechanics which the player end up learning to navigate around)
+1 for prism launcher. Queer-led devs <3
Worth noting that going with the android version it's not possible to have split screen.
or don't and use luanti and voxelibre, especially if you have kids so they aren't exposed to in game purchases
Only Bedrock is predatory, Java edition was released before Microsoft got their hands on it.
yes ideally, or your kids can ignore the store and just play with friends (if they can't play java)
Or I can use Java for an active modpack development scene. Not sure it's super active for luanti and voxelibre.
Do they have controller support?