Valve’s Steam Deck provides an excellentdesktop gaming experienceon the go which can be enhanced through use of various apps available to install via the handheld’s Desktop Mode. Players can install the popular Discord communication app on their Steam Deck with little difficulty, allowing them to easily keep in touch with their online friends while gaming on the device.
Once installed, players can chat, join Discord voice channels, and even hop into a call with a friend while playing together. TheSteam Deckis equipped with a built-in microphone making Discord a great way to chat while gaming with friends. This guide will assist players in successfully installing the Discord app on the Steam Deck handheld gaming device.
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How to Install Discord on Steam Deck
To install Discord on the Steam Deck, first players will need to switch from Gaming Mode, which the system launches into by default, to the handheld’sDesktop Mode. The player canswitch to Desktop Modevia the Steam Deck’sPower menu. To access the Power menu, the player can use either of these two methods:
Method #2
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Once in Desktop Mode, select theblue shopping cart iconat the bottom left of the desktop to open the Discover app. If aBluetooth keyboardhas been synced to the device, the player can search for the Discord app using the Search bar at the top left. Alternatively, the player can open Steam’s virtual keyboard by pressing the Steam key + X. If using neither, the player can use the Steam Deck’s touch screen to select the “Internet” category, then scroll down until finding the Discord app.
The virtual keyboard will open only when logged into Steam, so if it does not appear it may be necessary to first connect to Steam while in Desktop Mode.
The player will find an “Install” button next to the app information and should click on this button to initiate the installation process. A progress bar will appear to show the installation status and after a short moment, the installation will be completed. Once Discord has been installed, locate and open the app by selecting the Steam Deck icon at the bottom left of the screen in Desktop Mode, navigating to the Internet category, and double-clicking to launch Discord.
Sign in to Discord by following the on-screen instructions, using registered account information, scanning the QR Code with the Discord mobile app (recommended), or creating a new account. Once logged in, the player can now interact with their Discord communities directly from the Steam Deck and has access to all Discord’s standard desktop features.
Add Discord as a Non-Steam Game
Once they have signed in to Discord via the Steam Deck’s Desktop Mode, the player will want to add Discord as a Non-Steam Game, so it can be easily launched while in the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode. To do this, the player should open Steam while in Desktop Mode and select the “Add a Game” option found in the bottom left corner of the Steam window. Select “Add a Non-Steam Game” and a window will pop up listing applications that can be added to the Steam Library.
Select the checkbox next to the Discord app and click the “Add Selected Programs” button at the bottom right of the window. This adds Discord to the player’s Steam Library. The player can navigate to the application’s page via their Steam Library software list. Once Discord has been added to Steam as a Non-Steam Game, the player should close Discord and return to Gaming Mode via the shortcut on the desktop or via the Power Menu.
Open Discord in Gaming Mode
Once back in the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode, the player can find Discord in their Library, in the “Non-Steam” category by default, and launch it just like they would a game. Once Discord is open, the player can use it like normal, which is most optimally done with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but the player can also make use of the Steam Deck’s built-in microphone tojoin voice channels and calls.
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Once connected to Discord, the player can launch any game by pressing the Steam button, selecting, and launching a game. To switch between Discord and the game, the player can press the Steam button again and select which active app they wish to use from the top of the menu.
Improving the Discord Experience on Steam Deck
There are a handful of simple customizations players can make to ensure an enjoyable and overallmore aesthetically pleasingDiscord experience on the Steam Deck.
Change Controller Settings
Players who wish to enjoy a fully handheld game experience but would appreciate a bit of comfort in navigating Discord’s menus should press the Steam button while in Gaming Mode and select the “Controller settings” menu for Discord. From here, select “Controller Settings” button and, in the “Current Layout” section at the top of the screen, press X and scroll down to select the “Web Browser” template.
Set Custom Artwork for Discord
By default, Non-Steam Games do not feature any artwork when added to Steam, leaving just a blank space for the software’s icon, banner, and library image. However, players are able to upload and set custom artwork for any software in their Steam Library. We recommend setting up these graphics while using an actual PC using the directions below. To add custom artwork for Discord, follow these steps:
