Adding Android apps to a Steam Frame library just got a bit easier. SteamOS 0.5.6 Beta for the Frame, released October 15, allows .apk files in the right-click "Add to Steam" context menu in Desktop Mode.
According to Valve's notes on the Steam Frame community hub, the rest of the beta is a mix of fixes. Valve disabled avahi-daemon publishing mDNS, which it says was polluting frame-XXXX.local mappings and in some cases delaying shutdown. Battery and memory reporting in the performance overlay is improved, connecting through the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter is more robust, and external microphones get echo cancellation and noise suppression. Like other SteamOS betas, you opt in under Settings > System > System Update Channel.
Valve also released a stable Steam Client update for the Frame the same day. It improves pairing reliability with the wireless adapter, shows progress during the first connection after pairing, adds a Playtime Mode icon to the notification area, and fixes Wi-Fi power saving turning on at startup when it was disabled in settings. GamingOnLinux says the Frame has gotten much better on Linux in the space of a week.
My take: the Frame is a VR headset, not a handheld, but Valve making APKs this easy to add in SteamOS is interesting to watch. At least for me, I'd be curious to see that kind of Android support on handhelds someday. Would you use Android apps on your Steam Deck if Valve made it this simple? Let me know on X or in the YouTube comments.