How to Check Storage Space on Steam Deck
Over time, games have become bigger and bigger, and storage management has become a hassle. Fortunately, Steam Deck has ensured that users can check and keep track of their storage with ease. So in this guide, we will explain how to check the storage space on Steam Deck. If you’re running out of storage space on your Steam Deck, we have also added steps to analyze the same and free up storage on the device. So let’s jump right in!
The Steam Deck is a wonderful handheld PC capable of running games. However, since it is a PC, you can install several other apps, such asGoogle Chrome on Steam Deck, that might require additional space. As such, storage management becomes a necessity, and it is easy to do so.
When it comes to the storage on Steam Deck, Valve provides two options. The first one is EMMC storage, which is a slower storage solution found in budget phones and most notebooks in the early days. This storage type exclusively comes in the 64 GB variant. The second storage option is an NVMe SSD (Solid State Drive) in two sizes: 256 GB and 512 GB.
Additionally, to ensure users can expand the storage space with ease, Valve includes a microSD slot to the Steam Deck (supports memory expansion up to 1TB). However, there are certain class restrictions, and users need to check for them before buying one.
How to Check Storage Space on Steam Deck
There might be a point where you need to check the system storage on your Steam Deck. Fortunately, Valve makes the process hassle-free, and you can check the storage at your convenience. To check the storage space from the gaming mode, follow the steps below:
The storage menu allows you to browse the folder where the files are stored, repair the folders inside the drive, and move files from internal storage to external storage. You can also sort files based on size, last played, and alphabetical order.
The other alternative to check storage is from the desktop, by browsing the Dolphin file explorer, which is Linux’s file explorer. To do so, switch to the desktop mode through the Steam Guide Menu and click on the folder icon on the taskbar. We do not recommend switching to desktop mode to check storage unless the person is well-versed in browsing Linux desktops.
How to Free Up Storage on Steam Deck
There might be instances where the system storage on your Steam Deck is full, and you need to clear it up to make space for new games or apps. Sometimes this can be due to residual files. Other times, these can be cache files that you have no use of. In such cases, you can clear up some storage space using two methods – via SteamOS or the Disk Usage Analyzer software. Let’s look at both of these methods:
Uninstall Games on Your Steam Deck
If a user wants to uninstall games from their Steam Deck, which they will at some point to save storage, here is how to do it.
Free Storage Using Disk Usage Analyzer
To download “Disk Usage Analyzer” on Steam Deck, you need to access the app store on the Linux desktop, and then proceed further. All the steps for the same are listed below:
How to Expand Internal Storage on Steam Deck
There might be times when a Steam Deck user might want to expand the internal storage drives. After all, a standard 512 GB microSD card can only hold so much. Not to mention, the 64 GB model certainly might require an internal SSD upgrade, seeing how most games have an average size of 20+ gigs. In such scenarios, users can do the following:
The great thing about Steam Deck is that it is essentially a Linux PC based on AMD architecture. So it brings some level of customization expected from a PC in the form of storage expansion.
In conclusion, you can check the storage space on your Steam Deck using two simple methods. The SteamOS storage settings let you easily view the storage occupied by ProtonDB, installed games, and other files on internal storage and microSD card. The desktop mode, on the other hand, lets you install a third-party app to see disk usage and free up storage space if required. You can use the method best suited to your needs. Did you find this article helpful? Let us know in the comments below, and also share your experience with the Steam Deck.
While the Steam Deck will accept SSDs of sizes bigger than 2230, it is not recommended to do so. The sole reason is that the components will not have enough space for it to snugly sit inside the device. Additionally, Valve engineers recommend against it, as the machine has been fine-tuned to run a 2230 SSD. Anything higher than that might negatively affect the battery capacity of the system.
Beebom Staff
Bringing the latest in technology, gaming, and entertainment is our superhero team of staff writers. They have a keen eye for latest stories, happenings, and even memes for tech enthusiasts.
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