How to Prepare Your SD Card for Steam Deck: A Comprehensive Guide
Preparing an SD card for your Steam Deck is a crucial first step towards expanding your game library and enjoying seamless gameplay. Simply put, the process involves formatting the SD card to ensure compatibility with the Steam Deck’s Linux-based operating system. This formatting removes any existing data on the card, preparing it for a fresh start. The Steam Deck utilizes microSD cards, specifically UHS-1, with a read speed limit of 100MB/s. Therefore, the preparation ensures optimal performance and avoids issues that might arise from previous formatting on other devices like Windows PCs or Macs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to prepare your SD card for your Steam Deck:
Formatting Your SD Card on the Steam Deck
The primary way to format your SD card for use on your Steam Deck is through the device’s settings. Here’s how:
- Insert your microSD card into the Steam Deck’s designated slot.
- Power on your Steam Deck.
- Tap the Steam button on the left side of the console.
- Navigate to Settings > System.
- Scroll down to System Settings.
- Locate and select Format SD Card.
- A warning message will appear, reminding you that this will erase all data on the card. Confirm you want to proceed.
- The formatting process will take a few minutes (typically 3-6 minutes for a 512GB card).
- Once complete, your SD card is ready to be used with your Steam Deck.
This method is generally the most straightforward approach, but if you encounter any issues or your Steam Deck isn’t recognizing your SD card, there are a few other things to try.
Troubleshooting SD Card Issues
Checking for Physical Issues
Before delving into formatting, ensure your SD card is physically in good condition.
- Clean your SD card and slot: Use a soft, dry cloth to gently clean the gold connectors on the card and the slot in the Steam Deck. Dust or debris can hinder proper connection.
- Check for damage: Inspect your SD card for any cracks, bends, or other physical damage. If the card is damaged, it might not function correctly.
Software Issues
If your SD card is physically sound, you might be experiencing a software issue.
- Update your Steam Deck: Make sure your Steam Deck has the latest software updates installed. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues. Go to Settings > System > System Updates to check for and install any available updates.
- Try another SD card: If possible, try using another SD card with your Steam Deck. If the second card works, the issue is likely with the original card.
Formatting on a PC
If you continue to experience issues with the Steam Deck’s built-in formatting process, formatting via your PC may be your best alternative.
- Connect the SD card to your PC using an SD card reader.
- Open Windows File Explorer.
- Go to This PC or My Computer.
- Locate your SD card drive and right-click on it.
- Select Format.
- In the format dialog box, choose FAT32 as the file system. (Note: Steam Deck can also recognize exFAT, but FAT32 is a safer starting point)
- Click Start.
- Once formatted, safely eject the SD card and insert it back into your Steam Deck.
How to Boot from Your SD Card
If you’ve installed an operating system on your SD card, you can boot your Steam Deck from it using the following steps:
- Ensure your SD card with the operating system is inserted.
- Power off your Steam Deck.
- Hold down the Volume Down button.
- While holding Volume Down, press the Power button.
- The Boot Manager will appear.
- Use the d-pad or keyboard arrow keys to highlight the microSD card option.
- Press A or Enter to select it.
Your Steam Deck will now boot from the operating system on your SD card.
SD Card Speed and Performance
The Steam Deck supports UHS-1 SD cards, which have a read speed limit of 100MB/s. Purchasing an SD card that exceeds this speed limit won’t provide any extra performance benefits. Even though faster cards may exist, the Steam Deck’s reader cannot take full advantage of them. While using an SD card does impact performance compared to the internal NVMe SSD on some Steam Deck models, the difference is often negligible. Games will not necessarily run slower on an SD card, however, you may notice slightly longer loading times or stuttering when loading new areas of the game world. Therefore, the performance difference is often small enough to be acceptable, especially when balancing the need for more storage.
File System Considerations
When formatting your SD card on a PC, you might be presented with several file system options. While the Steam Deck is compatible with exFAT, using the FAT32 file system is a safer bet for initial formatting, especially if you’re unsure about the card’s compatibility with other devices. If you are only using the card in the Steam Deck, exFAT is perfectly suitable for gaming.
Why Reformatting is Recommended
It’s always a good idea to reformat your SD card when using it on a new device. This clears any potential data corruption, and it ensures the file system is optimized for your device. Regular formatting also helps maintain the health and longevity of the SD card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to format a new SD card for Steam Deck?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to format a new SD card before using it on the Steam Deck. This ensures the card is properly formatted for the device and minimizes potential compatibility issues.
2. How long does it take for the Steam Deck to format an SD card?
Formatting an SD card on a Steam Deck typically takes about 3 to 6 minutes for a 512GB card. Larger cards might take slightly longer.
3. What if my Steam Deck won’t format my SD card?
If your Steam Deck is unable to format your SD card, try formatting it on a PC. Ensure the SD card is not physically damaged, and the card reader on your Steam Deck is working properly.
4. Why does my SD card say “not formatted”?
An “SD card not formatted” error can occur because of physical or logical damage to the card. Also, abrupt shutdowns or the interruption of SD card operations can also cause this error.
5. Can games run slower on Steam Deck from an SD card?
While there might be slight differences, in most cases, games won’t run significantly slower on an SD card compared to the eMMC internal storage. You may experience slightly longer loading times, but the difference is often negligible.
6. What is the best SD card speed for Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is limited to UHS-1 SD cards with a read speed of 100MB/s. Therefore, buying a faster card won’t provide any additional benefit.
7. Can I install Steam games directly onto my SD card?
Yes, you can install Steam games directly onto your SD card. You can designate your SD card as an installation location in Steam’s settings.
8. What happens if I don’t format my SD card?
If you don’t format your SD card before use, you risk data corruption, lost files, and the card becoming unusable. Additionally, the Steam Deck may have trouble reading an incorrectly formatted card.
9. How do I manually format an SD card on a PC?
You can manually format an SD card by inserting it into your PC, navigating to the drive in File Explorer, right-clicking the drive and selecting “Format”. Be sure to select the correct file system (either FAT32 or exFAT).
10. Is an SD card as good as the internal storage on a Steam Deck?
While an SD card is generally good enough for playing games, the internal NVMe SSD on higher-end Steam Deck models will deliver better performance. The difference for the average user, however, is very minimal, making SD cards a great choice for expanded storage.
11. What is UHS-1?
UHS-1 is a Speed Class of SD cards. This speed class offers a maximum data transfer rate of 104MB/s, and is the standard for Steam Deck SD cards.
12. How often should I format my SD card?
There’s no strict rule on how often to format your SD card, but formatting it when you intend to use it with a different device or if you experience errors is advisable.
13. Can I use an SD card formatted on another device with Steam Deck?
You can, but it is strongly advised that you reformat the card using the Steam Deck in order to avoid any potential compatibility issues.
14. Can I use an SD card formatted with NTFS?
While possible with workarounds, it’s generally best to format your SD card using FAT32 or exFAT for optimal compatibility with the Steam Deck.
15. Can I use my SD card on other devices after using it on Steam Deck?
Yes, you can use your SD card on other devices, but you might need to reformat it for compatibility if those devices don’t recognize the file system.
By following this guide, you should be well-equipped to prepare your SD card for a seamless gaming experience on your Steam Deck. Happy gaming!