For Chromebook gamers, the countdown has begun and it is not a happy one. Steam, the world’s largest PC gaming platform, is officially ending its support for Chromebooks. Starting January 1, 2026, the Steam beta program for Chromebooks will be shut down entirely, cutting off access not only to the store but also to every installed game on the device.
Steam first made its way to Chromebooks in late 2022, marking a huge leap for the platform. Before that, Chromebooks were mostly used for browsing, work, and streaming due to their limited hardware. But with the launch of more powerful Chromebook models, Google partnered with Valve to give users access to Steam’s massive library of games. It was a bold experiment that hinted at a future where Chromebooks could compete with traditional gaming PCs.
That vision is now being scrapped. According to reports, users have already started receiving shutdown notices in their Steam launcher. The message confirms the January 1 deadline but offers little explanation beyond stating that Steam on Chromebooks was a beta program. Google says user feedback will help shape the future of Chromebook gaming a vague statement that leaves many wondering if this is the end or just a pause before a major reboot.
For gamers who invested in high performance Chromebooks just for Steam, this is a crushing blow. While their Steam accounts and purchased games will still be available on Windows, macOS, and other supported devices, not everyone will have the luxury of switching platforms. In the meantime, portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2, along with affordable consoles like the Xbox Series S, may have pulled attention away from gaming Chromebooks, making the project less viable.
After nearly three years, it seems the Chromebook gaming experiment did not deliver the results Google hoped for. For now, all Chromebook gamers can do is enjoy the final months before the curtain falls and decide which system will be their new home for gaming.
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