Battlefield 6 Anti-Cheat Update (2025): Javelin 1.2, Secure Boot, & Steam Deck Workarounds Explained

Battlefield 6’s fight against cheaters just entered a new phase — and not everyone is happy about it.
With the full release, EA’s Javelin anti-cheat system has become more advanced, catching even stealth-level hacks that plagued the beta. But in doing so, it’s also tightened the walls around who gets to play, especially for Steam Deck and Linux users.

The latest October 2025 Javelin 1.2 update promises better stability and fewer false bans, yet the Secure Boot requirement still divides the community. So let’s unpack what’s changed, what’s new, and how you can prepare your PC — or work around restrictions — to get back into the action.

🔐 What’s New in Javelin 1.2 Anti-Cheat (October 2025)

EA has quietly rolled out Javelin 1.2 — an update designed to refine detection accuracy and reduce false positives. According to official patch notes and early player reports:

Fewer false bans: 70% drop since launch.
Adaptive scanning: Learns from cheat patterns in real-time.
Improved driver compatibility: Especially for ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte boards.
Windows Hybrid Secure Boot: EA now allows limited boot flexibility for supported systems.

This update represents EA’s effort to find a middle ground between total security and player accessibility.

🧩 Secure Boot Still Required (Mostly)

Despite some flexibility, Secure Boot remains essential for most systems. Here’s the latest compatibility snapshot:

System / Platform	Compatibility (as of Oct 2025)	Notes
Modern Windows 11 PCs	✅ Fully supported	UEFI + Secure Boot verified
Windows 10 PCs	⚠️ Partial	Must use hybrid or legacy Secure Boot
Steam Deck (SteamOS)	❌ Unsupported	Proton still fails Secure Boot checks
Steam Deck (Windows Dual Boot)	✅ Supported	Works with Secure Boot enabled
Linux (Proton/Wine)	❌ Unsupported	No native Javelin version

💡 New Note: Some Windows-based Steam Deck users report improved compatibility after flashing updated BIOS profiles.

💻 How to Prepare Your PC (2025 Updated Steps)

Check Secure Boot Status
- Open Run (Win + R) → type msinfo32
- Look for “Secure Boot State: On”
- If “Off,” continue below
Enable Secure Boot in UEFI
- Disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module)
- Enable Secure Boot → “Standard” or “Windows UEFI” mode
- Save & reboot
Verify Game Launch
- Launch Battlefield 6 → check for “Javelin active” in the startup log.
- If game fails, ensure BIOS and chipset drivers are updated.

🧠 Tip: AMD’s latest AGESA firmware improves Secure Boot handshake reliability.

🎮 Steam Deck & Linux: Where Things Stand

Sadly, the situation hasn’t changed much — Battlefield 6 remains unplayable on Steam Deck via SteamOS. However:

Dual Boot Windows 11: Still the only working method.
Streaming Alternatives: Moonlight or GeForce NOW offer near-native performance.
EA’s Statement (October 2025): “We’re exploring alternative verification methods for Steam Deck and Linux.”

Until that happens, Steam Deck owners are encouraged to dual boot or stream remotely to enjoy the game.

🧰 Troubleshooting & Workarounds

Secure Boot Off → Game Won’t Start
→ Convert drive to GPT and re-enable Secure Boot.
False Ban Warnings
→ Contact EA Support with “Javelin Log ID” from your game folder.
Boot Failure After Enabling Secure Boot
→ Disable CSM and ensure Windows is installed in UEFI mode.

💬 Community Reactions (October 2025)

Players remain divided:

“Cheaters are finally gone, but I can’t run it on my Deck.” – u/DeckPilot
“Javelin 1.2 feels smoother. At least no random bans this week.” – u/RTXCommand
“I’d trade a few crashes for a fair match any day.” – u/FrontlineBF6

Despite the frustration, community polls show 76% of players support Javelin’s inclusion if it means a cleaner multiplayer environment.

🔧 Future of Battlefield Anti-Cheat

Looking ahead, EA hinted at a possible “cross-platform security sync” that might one day unify console and PC anti-cheat data — similar to Riot’s Vanguard model. If implemented, that could finally open the door for Steam Deck and Linux support.