Zaviya

Based on SteamOS for ARM, not another skin. Game Mode, the Steam client and a KDE desktop run natively on supported ARM handhelds and tablets, with emulation, PC games and Android apps in the same system.

Install Zaviya Devices Downloads Discord

Formerly known as Unofficial SteamOS ARM Port. An independent community project.

Before you install

Installation replaces the device's bootloader. Back up data first.

Features

• Tuned base system

  Services that fail on a handheld are turned off, the interface runs on the fast cores, the GPU clocks up under load and standby no longer drains the battery.

• Frame generation

  Lossless Scaling frame generation through Decky, in performance mode on Adreno GPUs. lsfg-vk 2.0 includes an ARM64 build for native ARM games.

• Zaviya Loadout

  The built-in app store. It counts the games in the library per system, names the emulator for each system nothing plays yet, and installs a starter set chosen for the device's chip.

• Dual screen

  On the AYN Thor and AYANEO Pocket DS the bottom screen carries a launcher, game tools, a dashboard with themes, and a trackpad with swipe typing.

• Updates and rollback

  Updates arrive through Settings > System without reflashing. They are signed and verified, and an interrupted update rolls back on the next boot.

• Dual boot with Android

  Zaviya runs from a microSD card, or installs to internal storage next to Android. The OpenABL menu chooses between them at power-on.

Included

• Game Mode and desktop

  Game Mode, the Steam client and a KDE desktop, all running natively on ARM.

• Controller

  The handheld's controller appears to Steam as a Steam Deck pad. Decky and the performance overlay are included.

• Add games from files

  Windows games, console game files, Linux apps and Android apps are added to the Steam library with artwork.

• Epic, GOG and Amazon

  Heroic, built for ARM64, installs the store libraries. The games launch from Steam with Proton.

• Android apps

  The Play Store is available and each app gets its own title in the library. Zaviya Control includes a Restart into Android button.

• Remote Play and docking

  Steam Remote Play with hardware decoding and optional PyroWave. Game Mode also runs on an external monitor or dock, with sound.

• Sleep and power

  Sleep works on every supported chip, fan curves are quiet, and the device powers off cleanly before the battery runs flat.

Install in three steps

1. Flash the image for the device's chip to a microSD card (32 GB or larger).
2. Flash OpenABL, the boot menu. Back up the stock ABL first.
3. Hold Volume Down at power-on, choose the device, set the boot mode to Linux and select START. The first boot takes a few minutes.

The install guide covers every step, and each chip has its own image on Downloads. Tablets do not use OpenABL, see the Lenovo page.

Supported hardware

• Snapdragon 8 Elite · Stable

  AYN Odin 3, KONKR Pocket FIT Elite

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 · Stable

  KONKR Pocket FIT, AYANEO Pocket S2 / S2 Pro

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 · Stable

  AYN Odin 2 / Mini / Portal / Thor, AYANEO Pocket ACE / DMG / DS / EVO / S 1K / S 2K, Retroid Pocket 6 / Nova

• Snapdragon 865 · Beta

  Retroid Pocket 5 / Flip 2 / Mini / Mini V2, AYN Thor Lite, MANGMI Air Y Pro / Pocket Max, AYANEO Pocket MICRO 2

• Lenovo Legion Y700 · Testing

  Gen 3 and Gen 4 are in testing. Gen 5 (TB323FU, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5) runs from a microSD card and is switched on from Android. Lenovo page

Supported devices lists every device by maker, with its chip, test status and notes. Most testing is done by the community.

Explore

• Install

  Requirements, flashing the image and OpenABL, and installing to internal storage.

• Using Zaviya

  Loadout, emulation, PC games, Android apps, frame generation and updates.

• Troubleshooting

  Debug logs, common problems, known issues and the FAQ.

• Community

  Discord, issue reports, device testing, support and credits.