How-to: Install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck

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.
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.
Launch RetroDECK and Enjoy!

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 Profiless (highly recommended) and optional BIOS files.

Step 3: Add to Steam & Add files

Read the guide on: How-to: Add RetroDECK to Steam.
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.
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.

Other Tips

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.
Check on: How-to: Update RetroDECK.
If you no longer want RetroDECK, you can find the removal guide at: How-to: Remove RetroDECK.

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