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To get a non-Steam app into Gaming Mode, first install it in Desktop Mode, then add it to Steam as a non-Steam game. The Steam library entry is only a shortcut: it does not install the app, deliver its updates, or prove ownership through your Steam account.
Install an app in Desktop Mode
- Switch modes: press the Steam button, open Power, and select Switch to Desktop. Steam’s Desktop FAQ also describes returning with the desktop’s Return to Gaming Mode link. You can instead log off through the system menus.
- Find a suitable installer or app: SteamOS is based on Arch Linux, so desktop software needs to support that environment. For apps available as Flatpaks, Steam points to the Discover Software Center as the graphical installation route. Discover installs Flatpak applications on writable storage, which is less likely to be affected by SteamOS system updates. See Steam’s Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide.
- Complete the app’s own setup: follow its publisher’s installation steps and make sure the application opens in Desktop Mode before adding it to Steam. An entry in Steam will not perform this installation for you.
The Deck’s controls work in Desktop Mode while Steam is running. You can use a trackpad as a mouse, and press Steam + X to open the on-screen keyboard while Steam is running. A physical keyboard and mouse may help in some situations, but are not required for the basic install-and-add process, according to Steam’s Desktop FAQ.
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Add the installed app to your Steam library
- Open the Steam client while in Desktop Mode.
- Select Add a Game in the lower-left corner, then choose Add a Non-Steam Game.
- Select the installed application from the list and confirm. Steam’s Desktop FAQ says the app will appear in the library’s non-Steam tab in Gaming Mode.
- Use the desktop’s Return to Gaming Mode link, then launch the library entry.
Know what a non-Steam library entry does
Steam Support describes this as adding a shortcut to the Steam client. It does not let you download updates for that app through Steam, and it does not establish proof of ownership for your Steam account. Updates and account access remain with the app’s publisher or original service. See Steam Support: Add Non-Steam Games to a Library.
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Troubleshoot an app that will not launch or is unstable
Check Linux support and compatibility settings
Desktop Mode is still SteamOS, and Steam’s basic-use guidance says software should support Arch Linux. Steam also documents selecting a Steam Play compatibility tool such as Proton for a game under Properties > Compatibility. This is a per-game option, not a promise that every third-party game, launcher, or installer will work. The setting and broader software guidance are in Steam’s Software Info & Troubleshooting Guide.
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
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- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Steam’s Deck Verified labels—Verified, Playable, Unsupported, and Unknown—describe tested Steam titles. A rating for a Steam edition does not by itself establish compatibility for a separately installed copy or its third-party launcher.
Try Steam’s stability steps
- Install available SteamOS system updates.
- Restart the Deck.
- Exit or disable other third-party applications installed through Desktop Mode.
- If the non-Steam app remains unstable, contact that app’s support team.
These are the remedies Steam lists in its software troubleshooting guidance.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Set controls and manage storage
Adjust controls for the library entry
Open the app’s library entry to view or edit its control layout, or browse community layouts. Steam documents per-game control settings in its Desktop FAQ. A layout can make navigation more convenient, but it cannot resolve an app’s underlying compatibility issue.
Choose internal or microSD storage
Manage internal and connected storage under Steam > Settings > Storage. Steam says a microSD card must be formatted from SteamOS before use. Its Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide describes UHS-I class 3 or better as supported; UHS-II and UHS-III cards are expected to work, but their higher transfer speeds are not supported. How much room an app needs depends on that app and its content, so check its requirements before choosing storage.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Rank #3
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
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