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Polaris v1.4.4

Packaging and setup update, matched with Nova v1.4.4. Existing settings and paired devices keep working.

Fixed

  • Launching Polaris from the application menu starts the same user service that autostart and headless boot use, instead of a second copy that left the host with no Polaris once that window was closed.
  • A privileged setup run no longer treats root’s own access to the input devices as proof that your desktop account is ready. A missing input group is reported instead of passed.

Heads up

  • Bazzite users should use the Fedora 44 RPM through rpm-ostree. The experimental system extension stays withdrawn.
  • SteamOS remains experimental Desktop Mode support rather than certified Game Mode support.
  • Steam Input stays manual and read-only.
  • Verified with Nova v1.4.4 on a Retroid Pocket 6 against a 1.4.3 host; the 1.4.4 host build is CI verified.
Install (Fedora 44, Arch / CachyOS, Ubuntu 24.04, SteamOS 3.8)

Fedora 44

Section titled “Fedora 44”
Terminal window
wget --output-document=./Polaris-fedora44-x86_64.rpm https://github.com/papi-ux/polaris/releases/download/v1.4.4/Polaris-fedora44-x86_64.rpm &&
sudo dnf install "./Polaris-fedora44-x86_64.rpm" &&
sudo -H polaris --setup-host &&
systemctl --user restart polaris

Arch Linux / CachyOS

Section titled “Arch Linux / CachyOS”
Terminal window
wget --output-document=./Polaris-arch-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst https://github.com/papi-ux/polaris/releases/download/v1.4.4/Polaris-arch-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst &&
sudo pacman -U ./Polaris-arch-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst &&
sudo -H polaris --setup-host &&
systemctl --user restart polaris

Ubuntu 24.04

Section titled “Ubuntu 24.04”
Terminal window
wget --output-document=./Polaris-ubuntu24.04-x86_64.deb https://github.com/papi-ux/polaris/releases/download/v1.4.4/Polaris-ubuntu24.04-x86_64.deb &&
sudo apt install ./Polaris-ubuntu24.04-x86_64.deb &&
sudo -H polaris --setup-host &&
systemctl --user restart polaris

SteamOS 3.8

Section titled “SteamOS 3.8”

Run this in Desktop Mode. It sets up the package keyring when needed and restores the read-only root before starting Polaris.

Terminal window
wget --output-document=./Polaris-steamos3.8-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst https://github.com/papi-ux/polaris/releases/download/v1.4.4/Polaris-steamos3.8-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst &&
(
set -e
trap 'sudo steamos-readonly enable' EXIT
sudo steamos-readonly disable || exit $?
sudo pacman-key --init || exit $?
sudo pacman-key --populate || exit $?
sudo pacman -Sy || exit $?
sudo pacman -U ./Polaris-steamos3.8-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst || exit $?
sudo -H polaris --setup-host || exit $?
sudo steamos-readonly enable || exit $?
trap - EXIT
) &&
systemctl --user enable --now polaris

Bazzite users should follow the Bazzite guide and use the Fedora RPM through rpm-ostree. SteamOS 3.8 users should follow the SteamOS guide; SteamOS remains experimental Desktop Mode support rather than certified Game Mode support.

Assets: Polaris-fedora44-x86_64.rpm · Polaris-arch-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst · Polaris-ubuntu24.04-x86_64.deb · Polaris-steamos3.8-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst