Photo by How to Make the Most of Your Steam Deck’s Storage Space
The Steam Deck is a powerful handheld gaming device that offers a unique gaming experience. However, one of the limitations of the device is its storage space. With many popular games requiring over 100 gigabytes of free storage, it can be challenging to manage your Steam Deck’s storage space. In this article, we will explore 10 ways to free up storage space on your Steam Deck.
1. Clear Your Cache
The Steam Deck builds a shader cache whenever a game is launched, which allows the Deck to run games with less stuttering during gameplay. However, these files also take up a lot of space over time, which can lead to your Deck suddenly missing gigabytes of storage space. It’s possible to remove the shader cache files by going straight to the folder they’re stored in and deleting them.
2. Change Download Settings
The Steam Deck automatically downloads files for installed games, even if you aren’t currently running them. These automatic downloads can sometimes apply to game patches and DLC, which can lead to a game suddenly becoming too big to store on your Steam Deck. You can change these settings by going to the Steam settings menu and selecting the “Downloads” option.
3. Transfer Installed Games
If there are games that you simply need installed on your Deck at all times, your options for lowering its size are limited. The obvious solution is to get a microSD card and simply uninstall the game before reinstalling it on the external storage.
4. Use USB Hubs or Docking Stations
At first glance, the Steam Deck’s docking station might not seem like the best bet for increasing storage. However, there are certain docks that come with extra storage space built-in, such as the JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station.
5. Double-Check Large Apps
The Steam Deck, despite being a handheld gaming device, is also a computer. Like any computer, the Deck comes pre-installed with applications outside of the Steam platform itself. However, if you use your Steam Deck exclusively for games, these apps might just end up taking more space than they need to.
6. Avoid Workshop Heavy Games
Many games on Steam’s store feature official mod support provided by the Steam Workshop, allowing players to install fan-made content at the push of a button. Of course, this can end up filling the Steam Deck’s storage capacity quickly, especially for games that rely on this content like “Garry’s Mod”.
7. Play Non-Remastered Games
The Steam Deck and the Switch share a lot of similarities, but thanks to optimizations by developers, one benefit of the Switch is its lowered file size for modern releases. For example, the 2016 release of “DOOM” is only 22 gigabytes on the Switch, while the Steam release has a minimum requirement of 55 gigs.
8. Rely on Remote Play
Steam’s Remote Play functionality can be extremely helpful if you’re only really worrying about storage space on your Steam Deck and not your main PC. This is because Remote Play allows you to stream games directly to your Steam Deck from your PC, allowing you to semi-portably play them without any need for an installation.
9. Swap Internal Storage
Improved internal storage capacity is one of the features we want to see in Valve’s next Steam Deck, especially with how bafflingly large game file sizes can be these days. However, until then, the next best option is simply to get an internal SSD for yourself and replace the one already inside.
10. Use MicroSD Cards
A microSD card really should be your first choice when figuring out how to free up space on your Steam Deck. You can use it to store games, apps, and other data, freeing up space on your internal storage.
Freeing up storage space on your Steam Deck is easier than you think.
There are many ways to free up storage space on your Steam Deck.
Here are some tips to help you free up storage space on your Steam Deck.
By following these 10 tips, you can free up storage space on your Steam Deck and enjoy a more seamless gaming experience. Remember to always keep an eye on your storage space and adjust your settings accordingly to ensure that you have enough space for all your games and apps.
Managing your Steam Deck’s storage space is crucial for a smooth gaming experience.
The Steam Deck’s storage capacity can be increased with the use of microSD cards and other storage solutions.
There are many storage solutions available for the Steam Deck, including microSD cards and internal SSDs.
By managing your Steam Deck’s storage space effectively, you can enjoy a more enjoyable gaming experience and make the most of your device. Remember to always keep an eye on your storage space and adjust your settings accordingly to ensure that you have enough space for all your games and apps.
The Steam Deck offers a unique gaming experience that can be enhanced with effective storage management.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you manage your Steam Deck’s storage space effectively.
By following these tips and tricks, you can free up storage space on your Steam Deck and enjoy a more seamless gaming experience. Remember to always keep an eye on your storage space and adjust your settings accordingly to ensure that you have enough space for all your games and apps.
Managing your Steam Deck’s storage space is crucial for a smooth gaming experience.
The Steam Deck’s storage capacity can be increased with the use of microSD cards and other storage solutions.
There are many storage solutions available for the Steam Deck, including microSD cards and internal SSDs.
By managing your Steam Deck’s storage space effectively, you can enjoy a more enjoyable gaming experience and make the most of your device. Remember to always keep an eye on your storage space and adjust your settings accordingly to ensure that you have enough space for all your games and apps.
The Steam Deck offers a unique gaming experience that can be enhanced with effective storage management.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you manage your Steam Deck’s storage space effectively.
