# How do I install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck?

<img src="../../../wiki_images/logos/steam-deck-logo.png" width="150">

## Quickstart 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/`.
- Put the ROMS inside `~/retrodeck/roms/` or `<sdcard>/retrodeck/roms/` or a custom location.
- Choose to install Steam Controller Profile for RetroDECK
- 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 - Controller](../../wiki_controllers/steam/controllers-steamdeck.md) to ease your navigation (controller layout required).
- Read up on the [EmulationStation DE: User Guide](../../wiki_es_de/esde-guide.md).
- Check out our other software recommendations for the Steam Deck [Steam Deck - Software Recommendations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-software.md).
- Check various optional optimizations that can make some emulators run even better [Steam Deck - Optimizations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-optimize.md).


## 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`.
- You will get a choice during the Setup to Install `The Official RetroDECK Steam Deck Controller Layout` this is highly recommended.
- 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 (If you installed the controller layout)

This step is only needed if you installed the layout. If you missed installed the layout you can always reinstall it from the `RetroDECK Configurator` in `Desktop Mode` or within `Game Mode` from within RetroDECK from the `Main Menu` - `RetroDECK Configurator` <br>
Then `Tools` - `Install SD Controller Profile`.

- 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 [Start using RetroDECK](../../wiki_general/retrodeck-start.md)

### 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.
- Read up on the [Steam Deck - Controller](../../wiki_controllers/steam/controllers-steamdeck.md)) to ease your navigation.
- Read up on the [ES DE: User Guide](../../wiki_es_de/esde-guide.md)
- Check out our other software recommendations for the Steam Deck [Steam Deck - Software Recommendations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-software.md).
- Check various optional optimizations that can make some emulators run even better [Steam Deck - Optimizations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-optimize.md).


## How do I update RetroDECK on the Steam Deck?

### 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.

### Decky: AutoFlatpaks
If you have Decky installed and the AutoFlatpaks plugin. You can update RetroDECK from gamemode. <br>
Read more here: [Steam Deck - Software Recommendations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-software.md).