# How-to: Install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck

<img src="../../../wiki_images/logos/steam-deck-logo.png" width="75">

**NOTE:** 

Depending on what language you have set in `Desktop Mode`, things might be named differently.

## Quickstart guide

- Switch to `Desktop Mode`: Press the `Steam button` -> `Power` -> `Switch to Desktop`
- Install RetroDECK: Open the Discover application and search for RetroDECK. Press the install button.
- First-Time Setup: Launch RetroDECK from Discover or the KDE program menu under Games -> RetroDECK.
- Choose where to create the main folder `retrodeck/`: `Internal Storage`, `SD Card` or `Custom Location`.
- Install Steam Controller Templates: During installation, choose to install Steam Controller Templates for RetroDECK (this should be checked by default).
- Add RetroDECK to Steam Library: In Steam desktop, go to the `Games` tab, press `Add non-Steam game to My library`, and select RetroDECK. If that doesn't work, right-click on the RetroDECK desktop icon and press `Add to Steam`.
- **Optional** 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).
- Add BIOS and ROMs: Put the BIOS files inside `retrodeck/bios/` and ROMs & game files inside `retrodeck/roms/`.
- Switch back to `Game Mode`: Go to RetroDECK on the Steam Grid under `Library` -> `Non-Steam`.
- Configure Controller Layouts: Add the RetroDECK: `Steam Deck - Neptune Official Template` under `🎮 Controller Settings` -> `Controller Layouts` -> `Templates`. Choose either the SIMPLE radial layout or FULL radial layout.
- Read up on the [RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Hotkeys](../../wiki_rd_controls/hotkeys-steamdeck-neptune.md).
- Launch RetroDECK and Enjoy!

**Other Quick Tips:**

- Explore 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 systems run even better: [Steam Deck: Optimizations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-optimize.md).

## Step-by-Step Guide to Install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck

### 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.
- Search for RetroDECK and press the install button.
- After installation, launch RetroDECK from Discover or the KDE program menu under `Games` -> `RetroDECK`.
- Follow the first-time setup instructions and choose where RetroDECK should create the `retrodeck/` folder: `Internal Storage`, `SD Card` or `Custom Location`.
- During setup, choose to install `RetroDECK Steam Controller Profiles`s (highly recommended) and optional BIOS files.

#### Step 3: Add to Steam & Add files

- Read the guide on: [How-to: Add RetroDECK to Steam](../../wiki_management/add-to-steam.md). 
- Add BIOS and ROMs: Put the BIOS files inside `retrodeck/bios/` and ROMs & game files inside `retrodeck/roms/`. If you are unsure how to add ROMs and BIOS to RetroDECK [RetroDECK: Start Using](../../wiki_general/retrodeck-start.md).

- After this, you can see RetroDECK in Steam Deck's `Game Mode` after returning from `Desktop Mode`.

### Step 4: Configure the Steam Controller Profiles

This step is only needed if you installed the profiles. If you missed installing the layouts, you can always reinstall them from `RetroDECK Configurator` -> `Tools` -> `Install: RetroDECK Controller Layouts`.

- Go back into `Game Mode` by pressing the `Return to Game Mode` icon on the desktop.
- Navigate to RetroDECK `Library` -> `Non-Steam`.
- Go to 🎮 Controller `🎮 Controller Settings` -> `Controller Layouts` -> `Templates` .
- Add one of the layouts for RetroDECK called `RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune` SIMPLE or FULL.
- Read up on the [RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Hotkeys](../../wiki_rd_controls/hotkeys-steamdeck-neptune.md).

**Other quick tips**

- Explore 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 systems run even better: [Steam Deck: Optimizations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-optimize.md).

## How-to: Update RetroDECK on the Steam Deck


- 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, they will be shown here.
- Click on the `Update` or `Update all` button.

### Decky: AutoFlatpaks

If you have Decky installed and the AutoFlatpaks plugin, you can update RetroDECK from `Game Mode`.

Read more here: [Steam Deck: Software Recommendations](../../wiki_devices/steamdeck/steamdeck-software.md).