Importing Steam Games

Learn how to use the Steam Import feature added in LaunchBox for Android 1.22 to import Steam games under the Windows platform.

Written By Brian Faeran

Last updated 12 days ago

LaunchBox for Android 1.22 adds Steam Import, letting you sign in to Steam, scan your Steam library, and import supported games into LaunchBox under the Windows platform.

Imported Steam games can use Steam metadata, artwork, and trailers, and can be launched through compatible Android Windows launchers such as GameNative or GameHub Lite.

🗯️ What is it?

Steam Import connects LaunchBox for Android to your Steam account so LaunchBox can read your owned Steam games and add them to your Android library.

Steam games are imported to the Windows platform. LaunchBox stores each game's Steam App ID, adds available metadata, and can use Steam artwork such as box fronts, clear logos, backgrounds, and trailers.

This feature is meant for Android devices that can launch Windows games through compatible Android Windows launchers.

Steam games on Android! Who would've thought 🙌

🤔 Why should I care?

Steam Import is useful if:

  • You use LaunchBox for Android on a handheld, tablet, TV box, or Android gaming device

  • You want your Steam library listed alongside your emulated and Android games

  • You use Android Windows launchers such as GameNative or GameHub Lite

  • You want Steam artwork and trailers automatically available in LaunchBox

  • You want LaunchBox to help keep your Windows/Steam platform updated as your Steam library changes

Instead of manually creating Windows game entries one by one, you can sign in, choose the games you want, and let LaunchBox build the platform for you.

💹 Requirements

Before importing Steam games, make sure:

  • You are using LaunchBox for Android 1.22 or newer

  • You have a Steam account with owned games

  • You have internet access during sign-in and import

  • You have a compatible Android Windows launcher installed and configured, such as GameNative or GameHub Lite

  • Your imported games are playable in that launcher outside of LaunchBox

LaunchBox imports and launches the games, but the Windows launcher is still responsible for actually running them.

❓ How do I use it?

  1. Open LaunchBox for Android.

  2. Go to Manage Storefronts.

  3. Under Steam, choose Click here to Log In.

  4. Sign in using either Steam QR code login or Steam username and password.

  5. If prompted, approve the sign-in request in Steam Guard.

  6. Once signed in, open Manage Steam.

  7. Select Steam Games.

  8. Choose Import Games.

  9. Review the import options.

  10. Choose either Import All Games or Manually Choose Games to Import.

  11. Review the scan results and proceed with the import.

Imported games will be added to the Windows platform.

The final step is to make sure you have configured you’re prefered Windows emulator app such as GameNative or GameHub Lite the Windows platform. Once you’ve installed the games there, you should be able to launch them through LaunchBox.

🧰 Steam import options

Platform for Imported Games

Steam games import to the Windows platform.

Region to Prioritize

Chooses which regional metadata and artwork LaunchBox should prefer when multiple versions are available.

Search for game information in the local metadata database

Recommended. This lets LaunchBox match Steam games against the LaunchBox Games Database for additional metadata.

Prioritize Steam metadata

When enabled, LaunchBox prefers Steam metadata over LaunchBox Games Database metadata when both are available.

Prioritize Steam media

When enabled, LaunchBox prefers Steam artwork and trailers when available.

Force Import Duplicate Games

Imports games even if LaunchBox thinks they already exist in your collection.

Import only Games

Enabled by default. This filters out non-game Steam items where possible.

Include Family Shared Games

Disabled by default. Enable this if you want to include games shared through Steam Families or family sharing.

Manually Choose Games to Import

Lets you select individual Steam games before importing.

💤 Updating your Steam library later

There are two useful update actions:

Refresh Games in Manage Steam

Use this from Manage Storefronts > Steam > Manage Steam to refresh the list of games detected from Steam before importing.

Update Games on the Windows platform

Use this from the Windows platform when you want LaunchBox to compare your imported Steam games against your current Steam library.

Depending on your Update Games Options, LaunchBox can:

  • Add newly owned Steam games

  • Remove Steam games you no longer own

  • Search the LaunchBox Games Database

  • Prioritize Steam metadata or Steam media

You can configure these options under Update Games Options, including Add New Games (Found on Steam) and the Steam-specific metadata/media options.

🤔 Things to keep in mind

  • Steam games are imported under the Windows platform, not a separate Steam platform.

  • LaunchBox does not install the games. Your compatible Android Windows launcher must be installed, configured, and able to run the games.

  • Family-shared games are not included by default.

  • Non-game Steam items are filtered out by default when Import only Games is enabled.

  • Steam artwork and trailers may depend on internet access unless media has been downloaded locally.

  • If your Steam session expires or cannot be verified, LaunchBox will ask you to sign in again.

❓ Troubleshooting

I do not see Steam Import

Make sure you are using LaunchBox for Android 1.22 or newer. Steam Import is available through Manage Storefronts, not the normal ROM import wizard.

Steam says I need to sign in again

Your saved Steam session may have expired or become invalid.

Go to Manage Storefronts, select Steam, and sign in again. You can use QR sign-in or username/password sign-in.

Steam Guard is waiting forever

Open the Steam mobile app and approve the sign-in request. If the request does not appear, cancel the Steam Guard wait in LaunchBox and try signing in again.

QR sign-in is often the easiest option.

No Steam games were found

Try these steps:

  1. Go to Manage Storefronts > Steam.

  2. Open Manage Steam.

  3. Select Steam Games.

  4. Choose Refresh Games or Scan for Games.

If games still do not appear, sign out of Steam in LaunchBox, sign back in, and try again.

Some games are missing from the import list

Check these options:

  • Disable Import only Games if you want to include non-game Steam items.

  • Enable Include Family Shared Games if you want family-shared games included.

  • Use Refresh Games in Manage Steam to reload your Steam library.

Imported Steam games will not launch

Steam Import adds the games to LaunchBox, but a compatible Android Windows launcher must run them.

Make sure:

  • GameNative, GameHub Lite, or your chosen launcher is installed

  • The game is installed or available in that launcher

  • The game launches correctly outside LaunchBox

  • The Windows platform's emulator settings point to the correct launcher

Steam artwork or trailers are missing

Steam media depends on what Steam provides for each game and what LaunchBox can retrieve during import.

Try importing with Prioritize Steam media enabled, or edit the game's media afterward and choose Steam artwork manually where available.

Update Games wants to remove Steam games

For the Windows platform, Update Games can compare your imported Steam entries against your current owned Steam library. If Remove Games (No Longer Found) is enabled, LaunchBox may offer to remove Steam games that are no longer detected as owned.

Review the confirmation carefully before proceeding. Disable Remove Games (No Longer Found) if you only want to add new Steam games without removing old entries.