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2026 Raspberry Pi Steam Link Build Notes

Base System

Do the usual thing - install the raspberry pi OS desktop, install updates.

Open the settings and ensure the fan is set to turn on once it hits 80C.

Install unattended upgrades and vim:

sudo apt install -y unattended-upgrades vim

Uninstall the junk I don't want or need on this device:

sudo apt purge -y chromium* cups* firefox nano
sudo apt autoremove --purge
sudo apt autoclean

Configure unattended upgrades to my liking:

vim /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/52unattended-upgrades-local

// apt update + autoclean schedule
APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1";
APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "1";
APT::Periodic::AutocleanInterval "1";

// Take upgrades from every configured repo (Debian, Raspberry Pi, etc.),
// not just the security pocket. Clear the stock list first so this replaces it.
#clear Unattended-Upgrade::Origins-Pattern;
Unattended-Upgrade::Origins-Pattern {
    "origin=*";
};

// autoremove --purge
Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Kernel-Packages "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-New-Unused-Dependencies "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Remove-Unused-Dependencies "true";

// Reboot if /var/run/reboot-required exists.
// WithUsers matters on Desktop: without it, the reboot is skipped
// whenever anyone is logged into the GUI.
Unattended-Upgrade::Automatic-Reboot "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Automatic-Reboot-WithUsers "true";
Unattended-Upgrade::Automatic-Reboot-Time "04:00";

Xbox One Controller Dongle

We'll need an out-of-tree kernel driver. Install from here: https://github.com/dlundqvist/xone

Install commands:

sudo apt install -y dkms libarchive-tools
git -C ~ clone https://github.com/dlundqvist/xone
cd ~/xone
sudo make install

Steam

Install Steam packages:

sudo apt install -y steam-devices steamlink

mkdir -p ~/.config/autostart
sed "s|^Exec=.*|Exec=sh -c 'nm-online -q -t 60 \&\& exec steamlink'|" /usr/share/applications/steamlink.desktop > ~/.config/autostart/steamlink.desktop