How-to: Install RetroDECK on the Steam Deck

NOTE:

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

SDCard Tips

If you plan to use RetroDECK on your SD Card know that SD cards can be tricky and there are many scam cards out there.

Follow these tips when buying a new SD card:

Buy from a reputable brand and store.
Ensure the card has good read and write speeds (check current reviews online).
Format the card when you get it: Press Steam - Storage - Select the Card - Press Y for Options - Format Drive.
Avoid using special characters, emojis, or spaces in the card's name. Stick to A-Z and 1-9.
There are online solutions to test if an SD card is fake, like the software f3 for Linux.

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.
Optional If you have external controllers connected you can also apply those templates via 🎮 Controller Settings -> Controller Layouts -> Templates.
Read up on the RetroDECK: Controller 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.
Optional If you have external controllers connected you can also apply those templates via 🎮 Controller Settings -> Controller Layouts -> Templates.
Read up on the RetroDECK: Controller 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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