On Steam Deck, open Steam > Settings > Storage to manage internal storage and connected storage. You can install games to a microSD card, move installed games between library locations, or uninstall games you no longer want. If you add a card, format it on the Deck first; if you uninstall a game, check its save and Steam Cloud details before assuming your progress is safe.
Manage Steam Deck storage
In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button and select Settings > Storage. Steam Deck uses its built-in storage by default, and this screen is the place to manage that storage and other connected storage, including a formatted microSD card. The exact arrangement of controls can change with Steam client updates, so use the destination and game-management controls shown on your Deck.
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Add and format a microSD card
A microSD card is the supported way to expand storage without changing the Deck’s internal drive. Valve says any UHS-I (Class 3 or better) microSD card is supported. UHS-II and UHS-III cards may work, but their higher transfer speeds are not supported by the Deck; a higher rating is not a Deck-specific speed upgrade. See Valve’s Steam Deck Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide.
- Back up any files on the card that you want to keep. Formatting prepares the card for Steam Deck and can erase existing contents.
- Insert the card, then open Steam > Settings > System > Format SD card.
- Follow the on-screen prompts. Formatting may take a few minutes; when it finishes, the card should appear as a storage location in the Deck’s Storage settings.
For an optional card purchase, check that it is UHS-I Class 3 or better and consider capacity, seller authenticity, return terms, and warranty. The supported rating alone does not establish that one brand or capacity is faster or better value.
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Install a game to a microSD card
Once the card is formatted and appears in Storage, choose it as the destination library when installing a game. Steam’s Storage controls let you manage library locations and installed games; select the available card location in the install or storage interface rather than assuming every screen uses the same button sequence. If no card destination appears, return to Storage and confirm the card is recognized.
Move an installed game instead of reinstalling
If you want to keep a game installed but free space on one location, move it to another library instead of uninstalling and downloading it again. Steam’s storage management supports creating another library location and moving selected games between locations. Open Steam > Settings > Storage, select the game and use the visible move control to choose the destination. Valve’s Steam installation and game-move instructions describe the library-move feature; the Steam Deck interface may not use every PC-client label shown in those instructions.
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
Uninstall a game to reclaim space
Use this when you want to remove the installed game files from the Deck. In your Library, open the game’s management menu, choose Uninstall, and confirm the prompt. Steam Support documents the client action as Manage > Uninstall; on Deck, follow the labels and confirmation shown in the game’s Library management menu. Uninstalling removes the installed game files, but does not establish a universal rule for what happens to every game’s local saves.
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Save locations and Steam Cloud behavior vary by game. Before uninstalling a title whose progress matters, check that game’s Steam Cloud status or the publisher’s save guidance. Do not assume that uninstalling always preserves saves or that every title syncs progress to the cloud. Valve’s SteamOS Recovery and Troubleshooting page concerns recovery and reset; it does not provide a universal save-retention rule for ordinary game uninstalls.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep cleanup separate from a factory reset
A factory reset is not a routine way to make room for another game. Valve says a reset clears all local data, including games, and reinstalls Steam and SteamOS. Use the individual game uninstall or move controls for storage management; reserve reset for recovery situations where you intend to clear local data.
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.
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