Steam Link debuts on iOS and tvOS a year after Apple rejected title for violating App Store guidelines

A year after Apple rejected it from entering the App Store, Valve's Steam Link app is now available to stream games from user Steam libraries on Mac and PC to compatible iPhones, iPads or Apple TV devices.

Announced more than a year ago, Steam Link promised to deliver iOS and tvOS access to desktop class games through a clever software solution that streams game video to a client device while simultaneously relaying controller commands back to the host computer.

The app works with both a wired ethernet connection or a 5GHz Wi-Fi network, which is responsible for ferrying the video and game data between linked devices.

Apple initially approved Steam Link for distribution but recanted the endorsement three days later. Valve in a statement at the time said Apple cited a breach of App Store Guidelines, specifically "business conflicts with app guidelines," in revoking its approval.

Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller confirmed the move in an email to customers, saying the app "violates a number of guidelines around user generated content, in-app purchases, content codes, etc." The ability to purchase games — through roundabout methods — from the Steam store was thought to be among the issues at play in Apple's decision.

Schiller went on to say that Apple was working with Valve to update the app for reinstatement. Why it took the gaming company a year to facilitate the changes needed to return to the App Store is unknown.

The recent App Store addition was noted in a tweet from former Valve VR engineer Nat Brown.

Steam Link is a free 28.8MB download from the App Store.