If you want to know how to Enable Desktop Mode on Steam Deck. Since it came out almost a year ago, the Steam Deck has put PC games in the palm of the user’s hand. The Steam Deck is a great device that gives you access to your game library while you’re on the go. It also has some extra features.
One thing that makes the Steam Deck games stand out is that you can switch between gaming mode and desktop mode. In desktop mode, users can do things like install new apps, look through game files, and more, just like they would on a traditional PC. So, in this guide, we’ll show you how to turn on and use Steam Deck’s desktop mode.
What is Desktop Mode on Steam Deck
The Decktop Mode for Steam Deck is meant to free up the pre-installed Linux OS so that you can use it more like a traditional PC. You can do a lot more than just play games in Desktop Mode. You can install programs, try emulation, surf the web, and do a lot more. It can also plug in a USB-C hub and an HDMI cable and connect it directly to a monitor to see your Deck on a bigger screen.
This makes it like a mini PC. Now that you know a little bit about Desktop Mode, we will show you how to get your Steam Deck into it. Once it’s set up, you can use its more permanent functions if you need to.
How to Enable Desktop Mode on Steam Deck
- Power on the Steam Deck and press and hold the Power button until a new menu appears.
- Select “Go to desktop” to enter Desktop Mode.
- For a better experience, connect a keyboard and mouse, and consider connecting to a laptop or monitor for a larger screen.
- Explore the built-in apps, such as the Discover Software Center, to quickly make changes. It provides emulators for games not supported by Steam.
- In Desktop Mode, you can open the Terminal, run commands, and make specific changes to Deck files, including setting a password and enabling sudo commands if you have Linux experience.
- If you encounter issues with Linux, follow Steam’s recovery instructions using a USB stick and a USB-C adapter or dock.
- To return to game mode, click the clear icon in the upper left corner labeled “Return to game mode.” Switching between modes is possible, but avoid doing it during gameplay.
FAQs
To use remote play on your Steam Deck to play games from your PS5 or PS4, you will need first to get your PlayStation account ID. Luckily, this process has been made relatively straightforward as long as you know your PlayStation Network username and have your account’s privacy settings so that you are findable.
In our own testing, with Wi-Fi enabled and at 50% brightness, we have found the Steam Deck battery life ranges from just 83 minutes at worst all the way up to seven hours and nine minutes. That’s all completely dependent on the game we’ve been playing and the Deck’s performance limiting settings.
While it is FAR BETTER than simply leaving it at 100% and charging 24/7, it is still not a good idea to leave it plugged in if you are not going to use it. Needless wear and tear. 3- You can get a lot more than 1 1/2 hours of life out of the batteries, even in demanding titles if you mess with the settings.
