Install Steam on Ubuntu 18.04: Multiverse Setup and First Run

Steam is a cross-platform digital distribution platform by Valve Corporation that gives you access to thousands of games across every genre, with automatic updates, cloud saves, achievements, and a built-in social network for gamers.

Steam’s Linux support has grown significantly over recent years. Beyond native Linux titles, Steam ships with Proton, a compatibility layer that lets you run many Windows-only games on Linux with no manual configuration. The playable library on Linux now covers a large share of Steam’s full catalog.

This guide shows you how to install Steam on Ubuntu 18.04. The same steps work on Ubuntu 16.04, Kubuntu, Linux Mint, and Elementary OS.

<strong>Prerequisite:</strong>&nbsp;You need sudo access and a desktop environment. Steam is a graphical application and does not run on headless servers.

Install Steam on Ubuntu: Enable Multiverse and Install the Package

Steam is distributed through Ubuntu’s Multiverse repository. Multiverse contains software that is free to use but does not meet Ubuntu’s open-source licensing requirements, either because it is proprietary or because of distribution restrictions. The repository is not enabled by default on a fresh Ubuntu install.

Enable it with:

bashsudo add-apt-repository multiverse

Then install the Steam package:

bashsudo apt install steam

One thing worth knowing: the steam package you install from apt is a bootstrap loader, not the full Steam client. When you launch Steam for the first time it connects to Valve’s servers and downloads the actual client automatically. This is normal behavior and is not a sign of a failed installation.

Start Steam from the Activities menu by searching for “Steam,” or launch it from the terminal:

bashsteam

First Launch, Client Updates, and Account Setup

The first time Steam opens, it downloads the latest client update from Valve’s servers. This can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed. A progress bar tracks the download. Do not close the window while this is happening — interrupting the update can leave the client in a broken state.

Once the update finishes, the Steam login screen appears. Log in with your existing Steam account. If you do not have one, click Create a free account and follow the registration steps. Steam accounts are free and give you full access to the store, your game library, and Steam’s social features.

After logging in, the Steam library and store load. Steam syncs your settings, game progress, and achievements to the cloud automatically. Your library and save data follow you even if you reinstall Ubuntu or switch to a different machine.

Finding and Playing Linux Games on Steam

Not every title on Steam supports Linux natively. To browse only Linux-compatible games, open the Steam store and use the OS filter in the search options. In the desktop client, go to the store and set the operating system filter to Linux. The store will show only titles with confirmed Linux support.

Steam Play and Proton. Steam’s Proton compatibility layer translates DirectX calls to Vulkan or OpenGL and handles other Windows-specific APIs so many Windows-only games run on Linux without extra setup. To enable it, go to Steam > Settings > Steam Play and turn on Steam Play for all titles.

Before launching an unfamiliar Windows title, check ProtonDB. It is a community database where Linux players report compatibility ratings and share workarounds for titles that need specific launch options or configuration tweaks to run correctly.

Steam is now installed on your Ubuntu 18.04 system. Browse the store, enable Steam Play to access your full Windows library, and use ProtonDB to check compatibility before you buy. Leave a comment below if you run into any issues.