Yes. As of October 23, 2026, American Truck Simulator has Valve’s «Verified» rating for Steam Deck: it passes all four of Valve’s tests (controls, button icons, legible text and performance on default settings). The Deck runs the native Linux version and supports mods just like a PC: from the Steam Workshop or by copying the .scs files into /home/deck/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/mod. That includes Mexico maps like Reforma, as long as you own the DLCs they require.
ATS on Steam Deck: rating and key facts
| Item | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck rating | Verified | Valve (Steam) |
| Default controls | All functionality is accessible | Valve test passed |
| Button icons | Shows Steam Deck icons | Valve test passed |
| Text | Legible | Valve test passed |
| Default performance | Good | Valve test passed |
| Version it runs | Native Linux | Steam (Windows, macOS and Linux) |
| ProtonDB | Platinum, 142 reports | Community, unofficial |
| Storage | 25 GB for the base game | Steam |
| Version | 1.61 stable; 1.62 in open beta since 10-20-2026 | SCS Software |
Checked on October 23, 2026. ProtonDB collects user tests of the Windows version running through Proton; you don’t need that on the Deck, because Steam uses the native version.
Controls and settings
In February 2022, SCS announced on its blog button mappings designed for the Deck, an on-screen legend showing what each button does and basic touchscreen support for menus. Convoy is cross-platform: from the handheld you can join a friend’s session who’s playing on PC.
Neither SCS nor Valve recommends specific graphics settings, beyond the fact that the default configuration already performs well according to the official test. If you want more battery life, cap the FPS from the Quick Access menu (··· button), under Performance.
How to add mods to ATS on the Steam Deck
With the Steam Workshop
Subscribe to the mod from the American Truck Simulator Workshop page, on the handheld or on any PC with your account: the Deck will download it. Then, in the game, open your profile’s Mod Manager, enable it and confirm. The files end up in ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/270880 (or on the microSD card, if the game is installed there).
Manually, in Desktop Mode
- Steam button, Power menu, Switch to Desktop.
- Download the mod from its author’s official page and, if it’s compressed, extract the .scs files with Ark.
- In the Dolphin file manager, press Ctrl + H to show hidden folders.
- Copy the .scs files into
/home/deck/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/mod. Create the mod folder if it doesn’t exist. - Go back to Gaming Mode and enable them in the Mod Manager, in the order each author asks for.
That’s ATS’s user folder on Linux, according to SCS’s official forum; your profiles and game.log.txt live there too. Open the on-screen keyboard with Steam + X. If you force Proton under Properties, Compatibility, the folder becomes ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/270880/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/American Truck Simulator/mod, and anything you had in the native folder won’t show up until you copy it over.
Mexico maps on the Deck: what you should know
Reforma, the most complete Mexico map for ATS, is built for 1.61 and needs the Reforma Mega Resources pack plus several map DLCs. If you also play with other maps, use the Reforma Other Maps Patch. With textures like Real MX Graphics on top, the load on the handheld goes up: the base game runs well, but Valve hasn’t tested a combo of big maps.
Limitations
- 1.62 beta. If you enable it under Properties, Betas, mods made for 1.61 (Reforma included) may stop working.
- Storage and microSD. Maps and graphics mods take up several GB; on a microSD card, loading is slower than on internal storage.
- External programs. Anything distributed as a Windows .exe won’t run directly on SteamOS; .scs mods will.
- Battery. The more traffic and graphics mods you run, the more power it draws.
More American Truck Simulator guides: how to install mods, load order, ATS and Mexico and PC requirements.
American Truck Simulator quick facts: multiplayer · download size · on mobile · where to download it · PS5 and Xbox · requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is American Truck Simulator Verified for Steam Deck?
Yes. Valve gives it the «Verified» rating after it passed all four of its tests. Checked on Steam on October 23, 2026.
Can I play Reforma on the Steam Deck?
Reforma’s files are .scs and go into the Deck’s mod folder just like on PC. You need version 1.61 of the game, the resource pack and the DLCs listed on its mod page.
Where are ATS mods on SteamOS?
Manual ones, in /home/deck/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/mod. Workshop ones, in steamapps/workshop/content/270880 in your Steam library.
Can I play with friends on PC?
Yes, in Convoy, which is cross-platform according to SCS. Everyone has to use the same mods as the session.