Your system information

• Steam client version (build number or date):
  Steam Beta Branch: Steam Deck Beta
  Steam Version: 1778803745
  Steam Client Build Date: Fri, May 15, 2026 04:18 UTC -08:00
  Steam Web Build Date: Fri, May 15, 2026 03:08 UTC -08:00
  Steam API Version: SteamClient023

• Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): SteamOS 3.8.4

• Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes

• Have you checked for system updates?: Yes

• Steam Logs:
  steam-logs.tar.gz

• GPU: AMD

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

Using SteamOS beta 3.8.4 on Steam Deck that has switched to a native Wayland desktop.

Within the desktop mode, adding native Wayland programs to Steam as non-steam games and launching them through Steam retains the "desktop layout" controls and does not switch over to gamepad controls when the window is in focus. Thus, the steam input gamepad settings are rendered useless as they are never triggered and the built-in deck controls and any attached external gamepads remain in "desktop" layout.

I observed this with the RPCS3 AppImage and the RetroArch flatpak and do not know for sure if this is a Wayland issue. Launching RPCS3 with the QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb %command% launch option and forcing it to use X11 restores intended behavior and steam input gamepad controls work as they should as long as RPCS3 is in focus.

Steam Input works as it should for these programs in SteamOS game mode/gamescope.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

1. Add the program (eg RPCS3 appimage or RetroArch flatpak) as a non-steam game in SteamOS desktop mode
2. Configure Steam Input gamepad contols
3. Launch program through Steam and focus on it
4. Steam Input gamepad controls do not function, desktop controls are still active