Steam added a local network game transfer feature. This feature is currently available in the Steam client beta. Both the sending/receiving PC/Steam deck must be in beta to access this feature.
This feature allows Steam users to copy existing Steam game installation and update files to another PC via a local area network. This can reduce internet traffic and speed up installations or updates.
For example, let’s say you have a home with multiple PCs or Steam decks on the same local network. Once a game is installed on one PC, all other PCs or Steam decks can install or update that game by transferring files directly from that PC. A modern PC can easily transfer game content at 100MB/sec, and while transferring, the Steam client transferring the content creates disk and CPU load.
An active local network game transfer is called on the download page. On the receiver side it looks like this:
how it works
Before downloading or updating a game from Steam, Steam first checks to see if another PC is running Steam on a Local Area Network (LAN) that can transfer the necessary game content directly to the user.
When a potential PC is found, the client asks the Steam backend server to contact the other PC’s Steam client to enable local network transfers and initiate game file transfers if available.
When game file transfer is allowed, your PC will try to download as much content as possible from other PCs. If the connection is lost or content is no longer available, Steam will fall back to using public Steam content servers to download the rest of the content.
setting
There are four settings that specify which PC + Steam clients can be used to transfer game files. These settings are bi-directional and local transfers are automatically enabled to allow local transfers. The default setting is “Only my own devices”, and sending and receiving is possible only on the PC where one’s account is logged into Steam.
Off – This client does not scan or allow local game file transfers. Do not download from or transfer to other PCs connected to the LAN.
My device only – Allows transfers from other devices currently logged in to the same Steam account on the LAN (default).
Only My Friends – Your Steam friends can log in and cast to devices connected to your LAN.
All Users – Steam works and can transfer to any device connected to the LAN.
Requirements
A Steam client or Steam deck can receive game content from other clients on its LAN, but there are some conditions that must be met before local transfers can take place.
Both Steam clients must be online and able to see each other directly on the same LAN (no downloads while either Steam client is in offline mode).
The game file transfer settings on both devices must allow transfer (e.g. if both are set to “Friends Only”, they must be Steam friends).
Game content can be transmitted only when the Steam client being transmitted is in an idle state. For example, there is no download or game launch.
The game should be open to the public and playable by all Steam users (no sunload).
The game must be up to date on the PC you are transferring the game files to.
Only PCs running in Steam desktop mode can transfer files. As such, Steam decks, PCs in Big Picture mode, and custom launchers currently cannot transfer files over a local network.