How to get to desktop mode with the Steam Deck

Being a handheld console device, Steam Deck got a lot more hype when Valve Corporation launched it. One of the best things about Steam Deck is that it shows and offers a PC-like experience. Another thing is that because Steam Deck was announced by Valve (Steam’s parent company), it has a revamped library of Steam’s game collection. It would be best if you used the Steam deck.

The Steam deck’s default “Gaming mode” offers almost a PC-like experience. However developers have created a second mode called desktop mode to add clarity. This mode’s name tells you what it does. There was a lot of interest in it even after the teaser, and users wanted to switch over. But the problem is that they need to learn how to enable it. Here, we will explain how to enable desktop mode on your Steam account.

How to get to desktop mode with the Steam Deck

As discussed above, the Steam deck has two options: gaming and desktop modes. The gaming mode involves the player choosing his game and playing it like he would on his phone. Some attributes of the gaming mode make it similar to phone mode. In comparison, the desktop mode is almost identical to the PC. As if you were playing on a PC, it gives the same experience.

However, we can’t say the desktop mode completely resembles PC mode. But the only difference is in the navigation and option arrangement on the deck’s screen. Surprisingly, to enable desktop mode, you have two ways to go about it. One is from the Steam button, and the second is from the Power button. Let’s look at each and learn how to get into desktop mode.

Using the Power Button

This method is straightforward; you must push the power button and enter a menu list. After that, choose the appropriate option to get into desktop mode. Here are the steps you can follow to get a better view.

• Turn on your Steam deck and go to the main menu.
• Then press the power button for a few seconds.
• Following that, a menu opens up that shows 
• From there, select the “Switch to desktop mode” option.
• Finally, press the A button, and you are done.

Use the Steam button 

This method lets you get into desktop mode through the Steam button. When you click this button, you will find a list of options that will help you switch to desktop mode quickly. For better clarity, you can refer to the below instructions.

• Press the Steam button right above the bottom left speaker on your Steam deck.
• Click on the Power option.
• Now press the A button to open a new menu.
• Next, select the “Switch to desktop mode” option.
• You’re now in Steam Deck’s desktop mode.

Besides enabling the desktop mode, the other thing an average Steam deck user can face is difficulty navigation. As a result, the navigation style is completely changed. Like here, to right-click anything, you can press the L2 trigger. For the left click, press the R2 trigger. You can also use a trackpad to navigate, like a right-click pad for primary clicks and a left-click pad for secondary clicks like scrolling. Additionally, the on-screen keyboard can be accessed by pressing the STEAM + button.

Now you can use your ordinary gaming device as a portable PC to return to gaming. Then the Steam deck has a reliable option called Return to Gaming mode. Click on Return on the right side of the desktop to bring up gaming mode. Alternatively, hover over the “Return to Gaming Mode” icon using the right trackpad and R2 trigger twice. After a few seconds, your Steam deck will return to default mode. So, concerning this, you can get into the steam deck, navigate, and, if you want, exit that mode. If any user has a question, please ask them below.

Frequently Asked Questions