Steam Deck Q&A
How Do I
sudo
There is no default password for sudo on the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model. By design, the "deck" user has no password set initially, which prevents sudo from working until you create one.
Open Konsole (terminal app) while in Desktop Mode and use the 'passwd' command to create a password. Just type: passwd (and press Enter)
search for file
The locate command and updatedb are not installed by default on SteamOS. Use the find command instead, which is available without installation.
find / -iname "filename" 2>/dev/null find / -iname "*partialname*" 2>/dev/null
Dolphin file manage is installed and is the easiest way to access a Windows network share. In the location bar, enter smb://servername/sharename, replacing "servername" with the name or IP address of your file server and "sharename" with the shared folder name. Provide credentials if prompted.
To browse the workgroup for discovery, navigate to Network > Shared Folders (SMB) in Dolphin. Command line method requires installation of cifs-utils and is really not necessary for the platform.
view RTSP streams with VLC
VLC is compiled crap for many distributions now including SteamDeck and won't do RTSP. On SteamDeck live555 library appears but RTSP is broken. You can use mpv or better yet, smplayer. You can install SMPlayer on your Steam Deck, and it works well for RTSP CCTV streams (including bookmarking/favorites). Open Discover and search for "SMPlayer" and install it (it is available as a Flatpak. SMPlayer (Flatpak from Discover) is the most straightforward solution for reliable RTSP CCTV streams.
external microSD card detection
When you insert a microSD card it should be detected and become visible in the Storage screen next to "Internal Drive" it will say "External Drive ()" just to the right. Go to Steam -> Settings -> Storage and look for the microSD card to be shown. If it is new you might be prompted to format upon insertion.
format new microSD card
In Game Mode with the card inserted (not Desktop Mode). The SteamDeck formats to Ext4 (version 1.0).
- Steam -> Settings -> Storage (if you don't see the microSD card, then remove it, power off, reboot, and then when loaded insert card)
- It should now detect as new and offer the Format option in Settings > Storage
If not detected switch to Desktop Mode on the SteamDeck and run KDE Partition Manager
- In KDE Partition Manager delete the active partition from the microSD card (unless you have important data on it)
- Create a new Partition choose Ext4, do not enter volume label, and Apply
- When complete switch back to Steam Game Mode and goto Steam -> Settings -> Storage
- You may be asked for format the drive before you can use it, do this by pressing Y - do the validation tests also.
Other Tips
Steam Application Necessary for Controls in Desktop Mode
When in Desktop Mode many of the buttons and controls will not function if the Steam Application is closed. The on screen keyboard will not appear either. The on-screen keyboard in Desktop Mode is provided by the Steam client and requires it to be running in the background. There are advantages to closing the Steam Application in desktop mode if external keyboard and mouse attached as it avoids multi-input interference issues.
Closing Steam in Desktop Mode disables most controller inputs (left trackpad, most buttons, all joysticks), which eliminates accidental triggers causing windows to minimize, maximize, or behave erratically. With Steam closed in Desktop Mode, the right trackpad remains functional for mouse cursor movement, while clicks shift to the triggers (R2 for left click, L2 for right click). Other controls are disabled.
Desktop Mode button functions on Steam Deck
Three horizontal lines button (tiny, upper right near right stick, left of Y):
- Steam closed: Long press toggles right trackpad mouse cursor on/off.
- Steam open: Short press opens Steam menu; long press toggles trackpad/gamepad modes.
The Menu Button
The small button with three horizontal lines (≡), located above and to the right of the right stick, left of the Y button, is the Menu button. In Desktop Mode with Steam closed, long-pressing it toggles the right trackpad on or off for mouse cursor control. This built-in toggle works independently of Steam running, allowing basic mouse functionality without the client open.
MicroSD Card Capacity Limitation
As of 2025 the largest capacity MicroSD card , including the 256GB LCD model, supports microSDXC cards, which have a maximum capacity of 2TB. This is the largest capacity the Steam Deck can recognize. Cards of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 1.5TB, and 2TB are all compatible, with 2TB being the upper limit based on the SDXC standard.