Steam Deck Beta Client Update Stops Forcing HDR on External Displays and Improves Brightness

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A new Steam Deck Beta Client update was pushed out yesterday that has some neat fixes and new controller support. HDR is no longer going to be forced on when connected to external displays, though it can be re-enabled to do this in the settings, and the preservation of the display brightness has been improved when you go from Game Mode to desktop mode. There is also new support for the Zuiki Mascon controllers that are used with the Nintendo Switch and Mode Shifts can now be activated using multiple buttons.

You can download the update yourself in the System Settings on the Steam Deck. Make sure your update channel is set to Beta or Preview.

Steam Deck Beta Client 2/5/25 Update Changelog:

General

• HDR is no longer forced active on external displays (Steam Deck OLED)
• HDR on external displays can be persistently enabled / disabled (per display, via Display -> Advanced -> Enable HDR)

Desktop Mode

• Improved preservation of display brightness when transitioning to desktop mode.

Steam Input

• Added support for the Zuiki Mascon controllers for Nintendo Switch
• Fixed a case where controllers would be in the guide button chord config after disconnecting with the button held
• Fixed a case where the virtual menu screen in the configurator would stop displaying other settings after changing a binding
• Fixed some issues when using "Gyro to ..." modes with controllers with high gyroscope polling rates
• Added support to allow Mode Shifts to be activated using multiple buttons
• Fixed SteamController receiving random haptic events when playing No Man's Sky

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