Epic Games confirms SteamOS and Linux support for its Launcher

Epic Games confirmed Nov. 8, 2026 that its new launcher will run on SteamOS plus other Linux distributions, including Steam Deck and other Linux-based handhelds.

On Nov. 8, 2026, Epic Games communications director Jake Jones told GamingOnLinux that the company wants to support as many Linux distributions as possible, naming Fedora, SteamOS, Cachy and Omarchy. Epic is reviewing packaging formats and intends to bring back AppImage support this month. A .deb file can be downloaded from the Epic Games site, confirming Debian and Ubuntu support. Jones said, “The new Epic Games Launcher is still in Preview and we plan to support as many Linux distributions as possible.”

In an Aug. 15, 2026, AMA on the Epic Games Discord server, an Epic developer said the reworked launcher is fully native for Linux instead of a Windows compatibility-layer port. TweakTown reported Aug. 15, 2026, that Epic replaced Unreal Engine with Tauri, a WebView-based framework that runs on Windows, Linux, Mac and other platforms, and called the move the biggest change in the rework. TNW reported Oct. 16, 2026, that Epic created an entirely new architecture without reusing the old app’s code.

On Oct. 14, 2026, Ars Technica said the launcher’s Preview now covers Windows, macOS and Linux, including Linux for the first time. TNW reported Oct. 16, 2026, that the Preview does not include some social features and account options from the earlier version and will not run on Intel Macs.

Epic claims its launcher opens in 5.47 seconds, while Steam takes 10.07 seconds, according to startup tests Keywords Studios ran in October across 13 machines while excluding the three lowest-end models. Ars Technica reported Oct. 14, 2026, that Epic also claims the app gets from the system tray to the Library screen faster than Steam by 0.06 seconds, a margin the outlet called too small to notice and unnoticeable in its own tests.

TweakTown reported Aug. 15, 2026, that people on Linux use the Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris to run the Epic Games Launcher, though those tools lack cloud saves and do not work with every game, especially ones that use anti-cheat software. Notebookcheck said Nov. 7, 2026, that Steam Deck owners should temper their excitement because the news confirms only launcher support for SteamOS, and the sole confirmed benefit is an officially supported route to the Epic Games library.

On Oct. 16, 2026, Epic said it is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat as EAC Linux v2, with Fortnite set to be the first test, though no release date exists and engineering director Rick Deist told The Verge there is no timeline for Fortnite on Linux. The company is talking to distribution maintainers and to Valve about Steam Hardware devices in connection with EAC Linux v2. EAC Linux v2 runs without a kernel driver and verifies a signed kernel, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, measured boot and other Linux security features. Valve’s Steam Deck lacks those security features at this time.

HotHardware reported Aug. 16, 2026, that the current release of Easy Anti-Cheat runs on some Linux titles but does not have the kernel-level support that certain games require. The same report said Epic hired a security engineer to champion Linux anti-cheat capabilities, citing GamingOnLinux. Epic has confirmed that GOG Galaxy will come to Linux, alongside community efforts that have covered GOG Galaxy functionality on the platform for some time.

Epic revealed plans in August for a native Linux client for its store, though Notebookcheck said that the August announcement carried no guarantee Valve’s hardware would be included. Games made for Windows still require a compatibility layer like Wine or Proton when they run on Linux, and Epic has not explained how it plans to handle that. The later confirmation matters for Steam Deck and Steam Machine owners.

On Nov. 8, 2026, Steam Deck HQ’s author tried the launcher preview on a Steam Deck and called it a major improvement, especially for loading times and layout. The author recommended that readers try the preview themselves.

In March, more than 1,000 Epic employees lost their jobs, and CEO Tim Sweeney said a fall in Fortnite engagement caused the layoffs while telling staff they are not related to AI. The company is adding Claude and Gemini to Unreal Engine 6 as part of its broader push toward AI acceleration under chief executive Tim Sweeney. Tim Sweeney said, “we vibecoded linux support.”