How to install non-Steam games on Steam Deck
Your ever-expanding backlog just got even bigger.
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Valve offers thousands of PC games compatible with the Steam Deck through the official store, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other games it can handle. Some titles never make it to Steam, whether due to licensing difficulties, platform exclusivity, or anything else. You can easily install non-Steam games on Steam Deck with a small amount of tinkering behind SteamOS, so let’s get started.
How to install non-Steam games
Before starting, any apps or games you install outside the official Steam Deck store will be on the internal storage,notyour microSD card or any other external drives. Be sure to check you have enough space on the primary eMMC SSD, the size of which depends on whichSteam Deckmodel you chose (64GB, 256GB, or 512GB).
Alternatively, you can briefly hold down the power button to access the power menu a little faster. ASwitching to Desktop …notification will appear whichever method you choose. After a short wait, the Steam Deck will boot into its Linux desktop environment, just like you would expect on any regular PC.
If your game doesn’t appear on the list, you can download a Linux Flatpak archive from the developers and install it from the desktop mode. CheckFlathubfor games that might not appear in Discover.
You could launch your newly installed game from this desktop environment, but to make things easier, we can have it appear in SteamOS on boot with a few more steps.
Adding non-Steam games to your library
Installing extra games is great, but booting into the desktop mode whenever you want to play them isn’t too efficient. You can take a few additional steps to have them appear in the library of your Steam Deck alongside your usual purchases.
Now you’re done, and you can find these extra games under the non-Steam section of your Steam Deck library. Some titles might not have box art or descriptions but can be launched as if they were part of your collection. Be cautious when installing software from sources outside the Steam store. Windows Central cannot take responsibility for any potential bugs caused by these third-party games.
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It’s not impossible, but compared togames verified for Steam Deck, it’s unlikely that non-Steam games will natively support every input, and some controls might not work as expected. Thankfully, you can still connect some of thebest Steam Deck accessorieslike joypads, mice, or keyboards if needed. With this kind of freedom to install third-party titles, the choice of games on Steam Deck seems almost limitless.
Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.
