# How do I install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck? ## Quick start guide - Put the Steam Deck into Desktop Mode `Steam button` > `Power` > `Switch to Desktop` - Install RetroDECK from Discover - Start RetroDECK first time in Desktop Mode - Choose where RetroDECK should create the `roms` folders `Internal` or `SDCard`. - Put the BIOS inside `~/retrodeck/bios/` for more information read: [[Emulators: BIOS and Firmware]] - Put the ROMS inside `~/retrodeck/roms/` or `/retrodeck/roms/` depending on your choice - In Steam desktop go to the tab `Games` press `Add non Steam game to My library` and select RetroDECK to add it into your library. If that is not working you can `Right Click` on the RetroDECK desktop icon and press `Add to Steam` in the menu. - **Optional way:** Get RetroDECK Steam Grid art and add it to your Steam library with BoilR. Or add the art manually from [SteamgridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/search/grids?term=RetroDeck) for the Steam Grid. - Switch over to game mode and go to RetroDECK on the Steam Grid under `Library > Non-Steam` - Add the Official Layout under `Controller Settings` -> `Controller Layouts` -> `Templates` in the Steam Deck called `RetroDECK: Official Layout` with a version number and apply - Launch RetroDECK and enjoy ### Other quick tips: - Read up on the [[Steam Deck: Hotkeys and controls]] to ease your navigation. - Read up on the [[EmulationStation DE: User Guide]] - Check out our other software recommendations [[Steam Deck: Software recommendations]]. - Check various optional optimizations that can make some emulators run even better [[Steam Deck: Optimizations]]. ## Full step by step guide: ### Step 1: Go to Desktop Mode - Put the Steam Deck into Desktop Mode `Steam button` > `Power` > `Switch to Desktop` ### Step 2: Install from Discover - Open the Discover application. - **NOTE:** Depending on what language you have set in Desktop mode your Discover application can be named differently. - Inside Discover search for RetroDECK and press the install button. - After the installation is finished, launch RetroDECK from Discover or in the program menu under `Games > RetroDECK`. - Follow the first time setup instructions and choose where RetroDECK should create the `roms` folders `Internal` or `SDCard`. - Open Steam while still in desktop mode. - Inside Steam go to the tab `Games` press `Add non Steam game to My library` and select RetroDECK to add it into your library. - After this is done you can now see RetroDECK in Steam Deck's gamemode after you return to it from desktop mode. ### Step 3: Configure the official controller layout - Go back into gamemode by pressing the return to gamemode icon on the desktop. - Go to RetroDECK on the Steam Grid under `Library > Non-Steam` - Press the `Controller Icon` - Go into `Controller Layouts` and press `Templates` - Add the layout for RetroDECK called `RetroDECK: Official Layout` with a version number. - You can now use RetroDECK and it's ready to populate with ROMS. - If you are unsure on how to add ROMS and BIOS to RetroDECK follow the [Getting Started Guide ](https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/wiki/How-to-Getting-started) from Step 2 and onward on how to add them. ### Step 4 (Optional): Extras - Get RetroDECK Steam Grid art with BoilR or add it manually from [SteamgridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/search/grids?term=RetroDeck) for the Steam Grid. - Check various optional optimizations that can make some emulators run even better [[Steam Deck: Optimizations]]. - Read up on the [[Steam Deck: Hotkeys and controls]] to ease your navigation. - Read up on the [[EmulationStation DE: User Guide]] - Check out our other software recommendations [[Steam Deck: Software recommendations]]. # How do I update RetroDECK on the Steam Deck? ## Automatic Updates RetroDECK features Automatic Updates and should download the latest version when you start the application. This feature can be turned off inside the `RetroDECK Configurator`. ## Manually from Desktop Mode: - Put the Steam Deck into Desktop Mode `Steam button` > `Power` > `Switch to Desktop` - Open the Discover application. - Click on the updates tab. - If there are any updates available it will be shown here. - Click on the `Update` or `Update all` buttons. # How do I move my installation to a new Steam Deck? **Note:** depending on how comfortable you are using the Steam Deck controller to navigate the desktop environment, this may be easier to do with a connected mouse and keyboard. The general process is as follows: 1. Put the Steam Deck into Desktop Mode `Steam button` > `Power` > `Switch to Desktop`. 2. Back up existing RetroDECK files. 3. Install RetroDECK on your new Steam Deck [from the Discover store](#step-2-install-from-discover). 4. Before starting RetroDECK, restore files that were backed up in Step 1. 5. Start RetroDECK. ### Step 1: Back up your existing files You will need to backup two directories: the main `retrodeck` folders and a hidden `net.retrodeck.retrodeck` folder. - First put the Steam Deck into Desktop Mode `Steam button` > `Power` > `Switch to Desktop`. - Main `retrodeck` folder - Open the Dolphin File Manager (the folder icon in the taskbar). - Navigate to `/home/retrodeck/`. This folder should contain sub-folders such as `bios`, `roms`, and `saves`. - Copy all contents of this directory to a folder on another device, such as a thumb drive, microSD Card, or NAS - Hidden `net.retrodeck.retrodeck` folder - Return to `home` - Find the "hamburger" menu button (three horizontal lines in the top-right). Open the menu and select `Show Hidden Files`. If on a keyboard, you can type `Ctrl+H`. - Navigate to `home/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/`. Again, copy all contents of this directory to a folder another device, such as a thumb drive, microSD Card, or NAS. - Ensure that you are keeping your backups of these two directories in two separate folders. ### Step 2: Install RetroDECK on your new Steam Deck - Follow steps 1 and 2 of the [standard installation guide](#step-2-install-from-discover). - Stop after Step 2. - **Do not open RetroDECK yet!** ### Step 3: Restore your backed up files - Restore your backed up contents of `retrodeck` to `/home/retrodeck/` on the new device. - Restore your backed up contents of `net.retrodeck.retrodeck` to `home/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/` on the new device. - In both cases, you can safely overwrite all existing files. ### Step 4: Return to Game Mode and launch RetroDECK - Launch RetroDECK from Game Mode and continue with steps 3 and 4 of the [standard installation guide](#step-4-optional-extras). - Don't forget to install the official controller profile!