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Since its unveiling, the Steam Deck, Valve’s portable gaming system, has received a lot of attention. It’s a fantastic alternative for mobile gamers due to its portability and power. However, the Steam Deck’s storage capacity is one area where it falls short. Users who only have 64GB or 256GB of internal storage may find that they quickly run out of room. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to increase the Steam Deck storage capacity. We will examine five strategies to accomplish it in this article.
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Recognising Steam Deck Storage
Let’s first examine the Steam Deck’s storage system before delving into the numerous ways to increase it. An NVMe SSD, a class of solid-state drives that is quicker and more dependable than conventional hard drives, is included with the Steam Deck. NVMe SSDs offer smaller storage capabilities, nevertheless, and are often more expensive.
You cannot just replace the SSD in the Steam Deck with a larger one because it is not replaceable. However, there are a number of additional storage options that you may use to increase the Steam Deck’s capacity.
microSD Card
Adding a microSD card is the simplest way to increase the storage capacity of the Steam Deck. A microSD card slot that can accommodate cards up to 2TB in capacity is included with the Steam Deck. Simply place a microSD card into the card slot on the rear of the Steam Deck to use one.
The microSD card can be used as additional storage for your games and other things once it has been inserted. Be cautious to check if the game you wish to play can be installed on the microSD card, though, as not all titles are compatible with external storage.
External SSD
Use an external SSD if you need quicker storage rates than a microSD card can offer. The USB-C port on the Steam Deck, which works at USB 3.2 Gen 2 rates, is used to attach an external SSD. This translates to read and write rates of up to 10 Gbps, which are substantially faster than those offered by a microSD card.
You may pick an external SSD that suits your needs and price range because they are available in a variety of sizes and capacities. Keep in mind, too, that external SSDs cost more than microSD cards.
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External HHD
An external HDD can be used in its place if you’re on a small budget and don’t require the quick speeds of an external SSD. External HDDs are more affordable and have bigger storage capabilities than external SSDs, but they are slower.
Simply attach an external HDD to the USB-C connector on the Steam Deck to use it. Make sure to check if the game you want to play can be installed on an external HDD because external HDDs can not offer the optimum performance for gaming.
Online Storage
Utilizing cloud storage is another approach to increase Steam Deck’s storage capacity. You can save your files on the cloud and view them from any device with an internet connection thanks to services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
You must download the cloud storage software and log in to your account in order to use cloud storage with the Steam Deck. Once you’ve logged in, you may upload your game files to the cloud and download them when you’re ready to play the Steam Deck.
Remember that using cloud storage for gaming might not provide you with the optimal experience, particularly if your internet connection is poor.
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Finally, you can use Steam Library Sharing to increase the storage capacity of the Steam Deck. You can share your game library with other Steam users using the Steam Library Sharing feature. You can play games that other people possess by setting up a network of dependable friends or family members with whom you can access their game collections. You must sign into Steam on both your Steam Deck and the computer hosting the game library you want to view in order to set up Steam Library Sharing. Then, turn on Steam Guard on both devices and give the computer permission to share your Steam account’s library.
You can browse and play the shared games on your Steam Deck after the setup is complete. This is an excellent method for getting access to more games without using any extra storage space.
Conclusion
Despite the Steam Deck’s limited internal storage, there are a number of practical ways to increase it. There is a solution for every user, whether they want to use a microSD card for convenient and portable storage, connect an external SSD for faster performance, use an external HDD for cost-effective high capacity, utilize cloud storage for flexibility, or use Steam Library Sharing to access games from reliable friends.
FAQs
Can I utilize several storage expansion techniques at once?
You can, indeed. You can maximize your storage capacity by combining a microSD card with an external SSD or HDD because the Steam Deck supports numerous storage extension techniques.
Do all video games work with external storage devices?
External storage options are not compatible with all video games. Some games might need particular installation locations or be made to only run from the Steam Deck’s internal storage. Before installing a game on external storage, it is advised to check the game’s system requirements or refer to the game’s support literature.
Can I save game settings and saves on the cloud?
Yes, you can save your game settings and progress to the cloud. Numerous video games provide cloud-saving options that let you sync your progress across devices. However, bear in mind that not all games may support this and that a steady internet connection may be necessary.
Is it possible to play games directly from an external SSD or HDD?
Uninterrupted gaming is possible directly from an external SSD or HDD. As long as the game is compatible and the storage device complies with the standards, the Steam Deck supports running games from external storage options.
