How do I install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck?

Quickstart guide

Switch the Steam Deck to Desktop Mode: Steam button -> Power -> Switch to Desktop.
Install RetroDECK from Discover.
Start RetroDECK for the first time in Desktop Mode.
Choose where RetroDECK should create the main folder retrodeck/: Internal Storage, SD Card or Custom Location.
Put the BIOS files inside retrodeck/bios/.
Put the ROMs & game fiels insideretrodeck/roms/.
Choose to install Steam Controller Templates for RetroDECK (this should be checked by default) during installation.
In Steam desktop, go to the Games tab, press Add non-Steam game to My library, and select RetroDECK to add it to your library. If that doesn't work, right-click on the RetroDECK desktop icon and press Add to Steam in the menu.
Switch to game mode and go to RetroDECK on the Steam Grid under Library > Non-Steam
Add the RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune Official Template under 🎮 Controller Settings -> Controller Layouts -> Templates. Choose either the SIMPLE raidal layout or FULL radial layout.
Launch RetroDECK and enjoy!

Other quick tips

Get RetroDECK Steam Grid art and add it to your Steam library with BoilR, or add the art manually from SteamgridDB.
Read up on the: RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Hotkeys.
Read up on the: ES-DE: User Guide.
Explore our other software recommendations for the Steam Deck: Steam Deck: Software Recommendations.
Check various optional optimizations that can make some systems run even better: Steam Deck: Optimizations.

Full step by step guide

NOTE:

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

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.
Inside Discover search for RetroDECK and press the install button.
After the installation is finished, launch RetroDECK from Discover or in 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.
You will get a pre filled choice during the Setup to Install RetroDECK Steam Controller Profiles (highly recommended) and optional BIOS files.
Open Steam while still in Desktop Mode.
Inside Steam go to the Games tab 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 Steam Controller Profiles

This step is only needed if you installed the profiles. If you missed installed 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 Settings -> Controller Layouts -> Templates
Add one of the layouts for RetroDECK called RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune SIMPLE or FULL.
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 RetroDECK: Start Using

(Optional): Extras

Get RetroDECK Steam Grid art and add it to your Steam library with BoilR, or add the art manually from SteamgridDB.
Read up on the: RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Hotkeys.
Read up on the: ES-DE: User Guide.
Explore our other software recommendations for the Steam Deck: Steam Deck: Software Recommendations.
Check various optional optimizations that can make some systems run even better: Steam Deck: Optimizations.

How do I 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 it 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 gamemode.

Read more here: Steam Deck: Software Recommendations.

4.9 KiB Raw Blame History