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Valve has released a new SteamOS Beta update with several changes and improvements, and one of them could be a sign that the Steam Frame launch is getting pretty close. The company regularly releases SteamOS updates to improve the overall experience, and the latest beta update adds initial support for the Steam Frame.
The new SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta specifically mentions “Preliminary support for the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter.” While Valve has not revealed a specific release date for the VR headset yet, the patch note suggests the company is gearing up for its summer launch.
Steam Frame support finally added to SteamOS
Preliminary support for the Frame is finally here. For comparison, Valve added initial support for the Steam Machine around three weeks before the console’s launch. If the company follows a similar timeline with the Steam Frame, this could mean the headset is getting ready to ship toward the end of August, just before the end of the meteorological summer.
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SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta patch notes
General
Added support for waking up from the Steam Controller Wireless Adapter (2015)
Improved battery indications when the device is charging in but using more power than the charger can provide
Preliminary support for the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter
Added support for Steam Controller (2026) to the built-in hid_steam controller driver, enabling use with native controller applications when Steam is not running
Fixed an issue where hotplugging HDMI displays could cause lockups in Desktop Mode
Fixed an issue where TVs supporting an HDMI “Game Mode” would display the initial boot logo before engaging said mode, causing unnecessary delay and flashing
Fixed some cases of slow or stuck Wi-Fi connections with certain adapters
Fixed an issue causing previous SteamOS updates to fail to apply for some users
Security and stability fixes
Steam Machine Firmware 108
Fixed an issue where the system could occasionally wake up immediately after going to sleep
Fixed a rare issue where CPU performance could be degraded until reboot after waking up from sleep
Audio
Fix for HDMI audio dropouts with some game and TV combinations
Improve reliability of HDMI hotplug detection
Add option to prefer lower latency audio codecs for Bluetooth devices
Non-Valve Devices
Improve support for MSI Claw and OneXPlayer device variants
Improve support for devices with external or no Wi-Fi adapters
Fixed an infrequent bug where some 3rd party handhelds would have input ignored when held
Added initial gamepad support for MSI Claw 8 EX AI+
Added initial gamepad support for Konkr FIT
Added initial gamepad support for AYANEO Pocket S2
Updated gamepad support for OneXPlayer Apex with new firmware
Developer
Updated the Linux kernel to 6.18.42
Source: Steam Community
The update also adds support for waking devices using the original Steam Controller Wireless Adapter and adds support for the 2026 Steam Controller to SteamOS’ built-in hid_steam driver. This allows the controller to work with native applications even when Steam is not running.
Valve has also addressed several issues, including HDMI display lockups in Desktop Mode, slow or stuck Wi-Fi connections, HDMI audio dropouts, and problems that caused some SteamOS updates to fail. Battery charging indications have also been improved.
SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta also brings improvements for non-Valve handhelds. MSI Claw and OneXPlayer devices are getting better support, while initial gamepad support has been added for the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Konkr FIT, and AYANEO Pocket S2. OneXPlayer Apex has also received updated gamepad support with new firmware.
The update includes Steam Machine Firmware 108, which fixes an issue that could cause the system to wake immediately after going to sleep and another problem that could reduce CPU performance after waking. On the developer side, Valve has updated the Linux kernel to 6.18.42, alongside additional security and stability fixes.