How to add non-Steam games on Steam Deck
Want to get access to your non-Steam game library on your Steam Deck? There is a way, and this guide will help you through the process.
At its heart, the Steam Deck is agaming PCin a small form factor, loaded withLinuxand pre-configured for compatibility withSteamOSandProton. The use of Linux means that the device is open to all manner of clever tinkering.
This means that modders can take advantage of the robust specs and Linux-based OS to get more out of the portable system – including adding non-Steam games to the Steam Deck.
A range of options become open to you if you read our guide and follow the steps, from preparing yourmicroSDcard to configuring the controls and integrating SteamOS.
How to put non-Steam applications on the Steam Deck
Once you’ve downloaded your games fromGood Old Games or the Epic Store,Battle.net, or wherever else you might acquire video games from, enterDesktop modeand open Steam.
In the bottom left corner of the app, there’s a plus sign button and it’ll give you the option to add a non-Steam game to your library.
It’ll open a window for you to search for your games. Ensure you know where you’re looking before heading into this, as Linux isn’t as simple to find files asWindows.
If you’ve installed a game from an outside platform ontoother storage, like an SD card, for instance, you’ll need to head intorun/media/mmcblk0p1.
ensure you also select from the file browser drop-down menu to include All Files, as by default it looks for Linux-only apps.
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Once you’ve found your game’s executable file (this will still be a .exe file), add it to the library and we can move on.
Turn on Proton compatibility
Before launching the game, be sure to make it work with Proton. To do so, click the game in the library, and click the settings gear icon.
Choose “Properties” and then “Compatibility”. Choose which Proton version you want – Experimental or the latest full release is recommended.
Re-enter gaming mode and your new, non-Steam game should boot up as normal on your Steam Deck.
If you want your non-Steam Deck games to look unified with the rest of your game library, you canadd custom artwork.
you’re able to also add more non-Steam games, from yourEpic or GOGlibrary or installing a gaming emulator such as RetroArch. Alternatively, there are standalone launchers like Heroic orEmuDeck.
Looking for more Steam Deck guides? We have you covered with ourultimate starter guide. Check out ourHow to add Xbox and PC Game Pass games on Steam Deckif you’re looking for evenmore gamesto play on your Deck.
