Running Battle.net games like WoW on Steam Deck isn’t entirely straightforward, but with our tips, you’ll be raiding and questing on the go in no time.
Getting Blizzard titles to run properly on Linux can be tricky. However, most major games like Diablo 2 Resurrected now run smoothly on Steam Deck despite the lack of native Linux versions.
With a few tweaks, the Steam Deck becomes the perfect portable console for casting spells and defeating enemies in your favorite Blizzard classics. Yes, Linux compatibility is a bit of a challenge at first. But our tips will have you deck-ready for Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Diablo in no time.
Download and launch Battle.net
- Switch to desktop mode
- Open the web browser and navigate to Battle.net
- Select “Download Battle.net”
- Open Steam
- Select “Add Game”
- Select “Add a non-Steam game”
- Add the Battle.net .exe file
- Back to Steam
- Find “Battle.net” in the Steam Library
- Go to “Properties”
- Scroll down to “Compatibility”
- Enable “Force use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool”
- Select Proton 7.0.5
- Launch of Batte.net
Wondering how to download and launch Battle.net on Steam Deck? It’s a bit of a process. First, we need to head over to Blizzard’s Battle.net download page. This will give you the .exe file for Windows, but we’ll be integrating it into Proton to get it working.
Go to desktop mode and navigate to Battle.net. Download the launcher by clicking the “Download Battle.net” text in the upper right corner of the page.
Now load up Steam and in the left corner tap the + symbol and then “Add a non-Steam game”. You will be greeted with a file browser and you will need to change what you can see. Where it says “Applications”, choose the drop-down and “All Files”. Navigate to where you saved the .exe file and add it.
Locate it in your Steam library, then tap the gear symbol. Go to Properties, then in the next window, choose “Compatibility.” This will give you a choice of which version of Proton you want to use. We went with 7.0.5, but it also worked on Experimental.
Jugo Mobile
From there, hit the launch button and you’ll be greeted with the Battle.net installation process. Let it do its thing and be aware that when you log in, Proton is still a little unstable.
The on-screen keyboard may seem glitchy, so we recommend doing this with a mouse and keyboard if possible.
Enter your information, then choose the games you want to install. Games like World of Warcraft and Diablo 2 will recognize the Steam Deck’s built-in controls, so don’t worry.
However, to switch a specific game or just Battle.net to game mode, we will need to add them as shortcuts. There is no point in keeping the installer, it would just confuse everything.
Add Battle.net games to game mode
- Switch to desktop mode
- Find Battle.net File Location
- Right click on the launcher of your favorite game
- Select “Add to Steam”
To add Battle.net games to Steam Deck, repeat the “Add a non-Steam game” step by choosing All Files. We need to navigate to where Proton installed your games and Battle.net, as it emulates the Windows file system. However, it also hides it to avoid confusion for regular users.
If you installed it directly on your Steam Deck, it will be located in the following location:/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/
Now the numbers may vary between us, but if you click on “Date Modified” you will be able to see which file you installed it in, as it will have today’s date.
In our case we found it in:/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/2426010261/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Battle.net
If you just want Steam to list a specific game, be sure to include the launcher specific to that game. This will ensure the game stays up to date and also verify your connection to Battle.net./home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/2426010261/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Diablo II Resurrected/Diablo II Resurrected Launcher.exe
For those who installed it on your microSD card, replace the beginning with:/run/media/mmcblk0p1/steamapps/compatdata/2426010261/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Battle.net
Now when you reload into Game Mode, you will start to see apps littering your library in the “Non-Steam” section.
From testing, almost everything works as expected. You’ll probably have to use the touchscreen to load your game from the Battle.net launcher, but that shouldn’t be difficult.
Currently, Battle.net games like Overwatch 2 are now available on Steam, making it easier to play your favorite Blizzard titles on the go. However, by following the steps above, you’ll still be able to play any titles that remain PC exclusives.
Looking for more Steam Deck guides? We’ve got you covered with our ultimate getting started guide. Check out our How to Install and Play WoW on Steam Deck guide for a more in-depth look at how to play the hit MMORPG on the go. We’ve also curated a list of the best Steam Deck games if you’re looking for even more games.
