Astroneers - Connecting to the service from Linux/Steam Deck (disabling encryption)

As Astroneer doesn't have a native Linux build, players wishing to play from Linux or the Steam Deck will launch the game through Wine or Proton. However, as Wine/Proton do not have a complete version of a library the game uses for encryption, they will not be able to connect by default.

In order to connect to the service, you will need to prevent the service from allowing clients using encryption to connect. Once you have done this, you need to prevent any clients wishing to connect to the service from using encryption.

Disabling encryption is not a recommended step and could allow your service or clients to be targeted for attack. We can not be held responsible if these changes damage your service, your game client or your OS. It will also mean that people can't connect to your service without applying the same change to their client.

How to disable encryption on the service

1. Within the gamepanel, stop the service
2. Click "Configuration Files"
3. Click "Configuration Editor" next to the file named "Engine.ini"
4. Within the resultant window, untick the "Allow Encrpytion" text box
5. At the top left of the window, click Save and Exit
6. Start the service.

How to disable encryption on the client - Windows

1. Exit the game.
2. Open Windows Explorer.
3. Enter the following into the address bar

   %localappdata%/Astro/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor/

4. Open the Engine.ini file within your text editor of choice.
5. At the bottom of the file, add the following:

   [SystemSettings] 
   net.AllowEncryption=False

6. Save the file

Once you've followed this guide, launch the game and you should be able to connect to servers running without encryption. To connect to a service that allows encryption, you will need to enable it again.

How to disable the encryption on the client - Linux / Steam Deck

Due to the nature of Linux, these steps may not work perfectly for you. We confirmed this information using a Steam Deck owned by a member of our team, but if you're using Linux/Proton/Wine elsewhere we assume know how to apply this to your own system.

Our support staff are unable to provide support with performing this action. If you're not sure what to do, please consult the wider community.

1. Exit the game
2. If you're doing this on a Steam Deck, ensure you're in Desktop mode
3. Open your file browser
4. Navigate to your Steam installation. On the Steam Deck, this should be in the following directory:

   /home/deck/.steam/steam/

   This is a hidden directory, so you will need to type this into the address bar to find it.
5. In the address bar, add the following to the end of the current path:

   /steamapps/compatdata/361420/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Astro/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor/Engine.ini

6. Open the Engine.ini file within your text editor of choice
7. At the bottom of the file, add the following:

   [SystemSettings] 
   net.AllowEncryption=False

8. Save the file

Once you've followed this guide, launch the game and you should be able to connect to servers running without encryption. To connect to a service that allows encryption, you will need to enable it again.

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