How to format an SD card on the Steam Deck

How-to
By
last updated

Want to know how to format an SD card on the Steam Deck? We've got you covered

Steam Deck on desk
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Learning how to format an SD card on the Steam Deck is something you'll likely need to do pretty quickly after getting one. 

The Steam Deck has three models with different storage options. This includes 64GB, 256GB and 512GB. However, considering the fact that some modern games like Grand Theft Auto V and Call of Duty: Warzone can take up over 100GB of memory, even the largest 512GB model won’t last very long. At that point, you'll need to add more storage space via a microSD card.

You can't just use any random microSD card, though. You’ll need an SD card with fast read/write speed and that’s suitable for mobile devices. After that, you have to format the SD card so you can download and install games.

These are important things to take into consideration, but thankfully, formatting an SD card for Steam Deck is a pretty straightforward process.  Below, we’ll show you how to format an SD card on Steam Deck.

How to format an SD card on the Steam Deck: Choosing the right SD card 

As said above, you’ll need a certain type of microSD card for the Steam Deck. Specifically, one that meets the UHS-1 speed standard. The Samsung Pro Plus and SanDisk Ultra are two excellent options. The Samsung SD card is a touch faster than the SanDisk card, though the latter offers more storage capacities. But you won’t go wrong with either of these SD cards. 

How to format an SD card on Steam Deck 

1. First, insert your Micro SD card into the slot along the bottom of the Deck. Next, click the Steam button beneath the left touchpad to bring up the Steam menu.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

2. Scroll to Settings and press A.

(Image credit: Valve)

3. In the following menu, head to System and press A.

(Image credit: Valve)

3. Next, go to Format SD card and press A.

(Image credit: Valve)

4. If you already have games on the SD card, you’ll be greeted with a menu asking if you’re sure you’d like to format your SD card. This action will erase all of the data on the SD card and can’t be undone. If the SD card is empty, you can click OK. Depending on the size of the SD card, this process can take several minutes.

(Image credit: Valve)

That's it! Now you can start downloading games like Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered to your microSD card!

Be sure to enable the microSD card as the Steam Deck's default storage location by going to Settings > Storage. We recommend you store titles you want to load fast into the Steam Deck's internal SSD since the microSD won't be nearly as fast. However, it's a great place to store games so you don't constantly have to download or redownload titles.

If you'd like more tutorials to help you get the most out of your Steam Deck, then we have other guides including how to take a screenshot on the Steam Deck, how to switch to Desktop Mode on the Steam Deck, how to update a Steam Deck and how to enable the performance overlay on the Steam Deck. Own a Switch too? We also have guides for you. Check out how to share Switch games with your family. Fancy PC gaming too? Learn how to download Steam on Windows.

TOPICS
Tony Polanco
Tony Polanco
Computing Writer

Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and iOS. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • toxicfem69
    Very irresponsible article. This method is known to brick SD cards.
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    toxicfem69 said:
    Very irresponsible article. This method is known to brick SD cards.
    So what is the proper procedure?
    Reply
  • toxicfem69
    The correct procedure is to format using the official sd card association formatter https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/ , or RUFUS are best, or at least using Desktop Mode (KDE Plasma/a linux tool) or Windows to format it.

    Also be careful not to remove the SD card even if not in use while the steam deck is still on (and you haven't ejected properly in desktop mode), accidentally popping it out while playing a game that isn't even on the sd card seems to be the reason why I just had to open an RMA with SanDisk to get my bricked card replaced.
    Reply