How to Add Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and Epic to the ROG Ally Home Screen

If you’ve just unboxed your ASUS ROG Ally, your first question might be: how do I get all my launchers - Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, into one unified view?

Ally runs Windows 11, but its front-facing UI is Armoury Crate SE, which provides a console-like experience. Armoury Crate SE auto-scans installed games and apps, lets you pin games or launchers, and offers control-mode switching and performance profiles. Note that while many units ship with Game Pass integration or promotional offers, that can vary by region or bundle.

Here’s how to set everything up properly and reliably.

 

Understanding the Armoury Crate SE Home Screen

• Armoury Crate SE is your central “hub” - it aggregates games, apps, and hardware settings in one interface, so you rarely must go back to the Windows desktop.

• Every title on the home screen is a shortcut to a game or application. Some are auto detected (e.g. Xbox App/Game Pass), while others must be added manually (like Steam or Epic).

• You have control: you can rename tiles, reorder them, or change their icons for a tidy look.

 

Adding Xbox Game Pass to the Home Screen

 

This is usually the simplest one.

1. If not already installed, open Microsoft Store → search “Xbox App” (Game Pass) → install it.
2. Launch Armoury Crate SE → Library → Add Game (or “Add”).
3. In the list of installed apps, find Xbox App and check it (tick/select).
4. Confirm. The Xbox App tile now appears on your home screen.

Tip: Before launching, open the Command Centre → Control Mode and set it to Gamepad Mode. That helps ensure controller input works properly in the Xbox App.

 

Adding Steam to the Home Screen

1. Open File Explorer → go to
   C:\Program Files (x86) \Steam\ (or wherever Steam is installed).
2. Locate Steam.exe. Right-click → Create Shortcut.
3. (Optional) Move that shortcut to your Desktop for convenience.
4. Open Armoury Crate SE → Library → Add Game.
5. Use “Add Non-Listed Game” or “Browse” to reach the shortcut you made (e.g. on Desktop).
6. Select it, rename it if desired, and confirm. Now Steam appears as a tile.

You can also change its icon: right-click the shortcut → Properties → Change Icon and point to the Steam icon file.

 

Adding Epic Games Launcher to the Home Screen

1. Download and install the Epic Games Launcher from epicgames.com.
2. In File Explorer, navigate to
   C:\Program Files (x86) \Epic Games\Launcher\Portal\Binaries\Win64\
3. Locate EpicGamesLauncher.exe. Right-click → Create Shortcut, move it to Desktop (or somewhere easy to browse).
4. In Armoury Crate SE → Library → Add Game → Add Non-Listed Game, browse to and select the Epic shortcut.
5. Rename if desired, confirm. Now Epic Launcher is pinned.
6. (Optional) Change the tile’s icon via the shortcut properties.

Note: The Epic launcher’s UI is not always fully controller native. You might need to use the cursor (joystick/mouse) or map inputs via Armoury Crate’s Game Profiles.

 

Polishing Your Home Screen

• Reorder tiles by long-pressing in Armoury Crate SE - put your most-used ones first.

• Use a consistent icon style to make the layout look clean (flat icons, official logos, etc.).

• Add game-specific shortcuts if you launch some games directly; point the shortcut to the game .exe and pin it.

• Create performance profiles in Armoury Crate (Settings → Performance) and assign them per launcher:
   - Xbox/Game Pass → Balanced
   - Steam → Turbo
   - Epic / lighter games → Silent or Balanced

Be cautious: in practice, automatic switching per launcher may not always work perfectly, so test them.

Here’s a simple setup guide:

Launcher	Recommended Mode	Why It Works
Xbox Game Pass	Balanced Mode (15–20W)	Perfect for most PC Game Pass titles, keeps temps under control.
Steam	Turbo Mode (25–30W)	For AAA games like Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077, or Baldur’s Gate 3.
Epic Games Launcher	Silent or Balanced (10–15W)	Ideal for indie games or less demanding titles.

Performance, Controllers & Stability Tips

Controller Input Sync

• Always set Control Mode → Gamepad in the Command Centre before launching a launcher.

• If a launcher (especially Epic) does not detect controller input, toggle to Desktop Mode and back to Gamepad Mode.

• In Steam settings → Controller, enable Xbox Configuration Support to ensure games properly detect controller input.

Power / Battery Management

• The Ally can drain fast on high performance. Adjust settings:
   - Drop refresh rate (e.g. to 60 Hz)
   - Reduce brightness
   - Cap FPS in Armoury Crate or in-game
   - Use MyASUS Battery Health Charging to cap charging at 80% for longevity

• For battery efficiency, use Balanced / Silent modes for less demanding titles.

Armoury Crate SE Optimization

• Clean up duplicate or stale entries in Library → Manage Games

• Turn on Quick Launch (Settings → General) to accelerate start-up time

• Use custom images for tile banners for personalization
  
  

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue	Potential Fixes
Armoury Crate doesn’t detect Steam or Epic	Make sure they’re installed on your primary drive (C:). Use Library → Scan for Installed Apps. If that fails, manually Add Non-Listed Game.
Controller works in Game Pass but not Steam	Check Steam’s controller settings (enable Xbox support), restart Steam, ensure Control Mode is Gamepad.
Games open in windowed or desktop mode	In the launcher’s settings, set display mode to Fullscreen or Borderless. Then relaunch via Gamepad mode.
Shortcuts break after updates	Paths may change after updates. Re-scan or re-add the shortcut. Backup your Armoury Crate profile via Settings → Backup/Restore.

 

 

Quick Answers for a Smoother ROG Ally Setup

Do I need to install Steam or Epic from Microsoft Store?

No. They are standard Windows apps. Just download them from their official sites and add them manually.

Why does my controller stop working when switching launchers?

Likely because you're still in Desktop Mode. Go to Command Centre → Control Mode → Gamepad Mode, then relaunch. If needed, toggle Desktop → Gamepad to force detection.

Can I pin other launchers (GOG Galaxy, Battle.net, Ubisoft)?

Yes. Any app with Windows .exe can be added the same way (create shortcut → Add Non-Listed). This method works for most launchers.

Why doesn’t Epic open in full Gamepad navigable mode?

Epic’s UI has limited native controller support currently. You may need to use the joystick as a cursor, touchscreen, or set up custom mappings.

Will my shortcuts survive Windows updates or resets?

Usually yes but not guaranteed. If paths change or Armoury Crate resets, you may have to re-add entries. Use Backup / Restore Profile in Armoury Crate Settings to save your layout.

 

 

One Home Screen, Endless Games

With the steps above, you can turn your ROG Ally into a clean, one-tap gaming console that feels every bit as intuitive as a dedicated handheld. By pinning your Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and Epic Games launchers directly to the home screen, everything you play sits neatly in one place - no need to dig through Windows or search for shortcuts. Make sure your controller mode is correctly set to Gamepad before launching, fine-tune your performance profiles for each platform, and use a few clever battery-saving tweaks to keep your sessions running longer.

If you run into the occasional quirk, most fixes come down to quick mode toggles or a library rescan inside Armoury Crate SE. Once it’s all set up, jumping between Halo on Game Pass, Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam, and Fortnite on Epic feels seamless - no desktop clutter, no hassle, just pure gaming at your fingertips.

 

Read More:

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