The Ultimate Guide to Upgrading Your Steam Deck's Storage with a microSD Card

The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming console that has taken the gaming world by storm. One of the best features of the Steam Deck is its ability to be upgraded with a microSD card, which can add a significant amount of storage space to the device.

In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about upgrading your Steam Deck's storage with a microSD card. We will cover the different types of microSD cards available, how to choose the right one for your needs, and how to install it.

Types of microSD Cards

There are two main types of microSD cards:

• SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards have a storage capacity of up to 32GB.
• SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) cards have a storage capacity of up to 2TB.

The Steam Deck supports both types of microSD cards, but SDXC cards are recommended for their larger storage capacity.

How to Choose the Right microSD Card for Your Steam Deck

When choosing a microSD card for your Steam Deck, there are a few things you need to consider:

• Storage capacity: How much storage space do you need? If you plan on storing a lot of games on your microSD card, you will need a card with a high storage capacity.
• Speed: The speed of a microSD card is measured in MB/s (megabytes per second). The faster the card, the faster your games will load. The Steam Deck supports microSD cards with speeds of up to 100MB/s.
• Price: microSD cards range in price from a few dollars to over $100. The price of a card will vary depending on its storage capacity, speed, and brand.

How to Install a microSD Card in Your Steam Deck

Installing a microSD card in your Steam Deck is a simple process. Here are the steps:

1. Power off your Steam Deck.
2. Locate the microSD card slot. The microSD card slot is located on the bottom of the Steam Deck, next to the USB-C port.
3. Insert the microSD card into the slot. The microSD card should fit snugly into the slot.
4. Power on your Steam Deck.
5. Format the microSD card. When you first insert a microSD card into your Steam Deck, you will need to format it. Formatting the card will erase all of the data on the card, so make sure you back up any important data before you format it.
6. Install your games to the microSD card. Once the microSD card is formatted, you can start installing your games to it. To install a game to the microSD card, simply select the game in your Steam library and click the Install button.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks for using a microSD card with your Steam Deck:

• Use a high-quality microSD card. Not all microSD cards are created equal. Some cards are more reliable than others. When choosing a microSD card for your Steam Deck, it is important to choose a card from a reputable brand.
• Format the microSD card regularly. Formatting a microSD card will help to prevent it from becoming corrupted. It is a good idea to format the card every few months, or whenever you experience any problems with the card.
• Don't remove the microSD card while it is in use. Removing the microSD card while it is in use can damage the card or the Steam Deck. Always make sure to power off the Steam Deck before removing the microSD card.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when using a microSD card with your Steam Deck:

• Don't use a microSD card that is too small. A microSD card that is too small will not have enough storage space for your games. It is recommended to use a microSD card with a storage capacity of at least 128GB.
• Don't use a microSD card that is too slow. A microSD card that is too slow will slow down your games. It is recommended to use a microSD card with a speed of at least 60MB/s.
• Don't remove the microSD card while it is in use. Removing the microSD card while it is in use can damage the card or the Steam Deck. Always make sure to power off the Steam Deck before removing the microSD card.

Conclusion

Upgrading your Steam Deck's storage with a microSD card is a great way to add more space for your games. By following the tips and tricks in this guide, you can choose the right microSD card for your needs and install it correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum storage capacity of a microSD card that the Steam Deck can support?
A: The Steam Deck can support microSD cards with a storage capacity of up to 2TB.

Q: What is the speed of the microSD card slot on the Steam Deck?
A: The microSD card slot on the Steam Deck supports speeds of up to 100MB/s.

Q: Can I use a microSD card with my Steam Deck to store games that I have purchased from other stores, such as Epic Games Store or GOG?
A: Yes, you can use a microSD card to store games that you have purchased from other stores. However, you will need to use a third-party app, such as Heroic Games Launcher, to install and launch the games.

Useful Tables

Table 1: Types of microSD Cards

Table 2: microSD Card Speed Classes

Table 3: Recommended microSD Cards for the Steam Deck