How to format an SD card for Steam Deck

how to format sd card for steam deck

Don’t know how to format an SD card for your Steam Deck? We try to clarify all your doubts about preparing your new SD card for the Steam Deck.

Adding a MicroSD card to your Steam Deck is the cheapest way to extend storage on your console. However, if you’ve got a new storage card, it’s better to prepare it before loading it onto the console.

As a first step, you should always format a new MicroSD card before popping it into the Steam Deck. Since the Steam Deck runs on a Linux-based operating system, you might face issues if the memory card has been used or formatted on a Windows or a Mac device.

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To prepare the storage card for Steam Deck, you can always use Steam Deck’s built-in card formatting tool. Once formatted, the card will be ready to install Steam Deck games.

Looking for more Steam Deck help? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Starter Guide to become an expert on Valve’s Linux-based handheld.

How to format an SD card on Steam Deck

To format your SD card for the Steam Deck, head into the Settings menu. Now, go to System and scroll down until your see “Format SD Card”.

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Press the button and wait a short time to have a fresh new SD card ready for gaming with.

What format should SD cards be for the Steam Deck?

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SD cards and all storage should be in the ext4 format. This way, you can start adding them to your Gaming Mode library. We have a full guide on how to add additional storage, like SSDs and hard drives to your Deck’s repertoire.

If you need an SD card for your Deck, we recommend the following:

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