Steam Deck · Apps
Manage your Steam library, downloads, and install locations
The Library tab is where you install, update, and organize games, while Downloads settings control bandwidth limits, download region, and automatic update behavior — useful for managing a large library on limited storage or a metered connection.
What you should know
- The Library tab lists owned games; select one and choose Install to download it to your chosen storage location.
- STEAM button > Settings > Downloads lets you set a bandwidth limit, preferred download region/server, and whether updates install automatically.
- Filter and sort the Library (installed, ready to play, by collection) from the Library tab's top menu to keep a large collection manageable.
- Per-game ••• menu options include Properties, where you can opt a specific title out of automatic updates.
Why it matters
Automatic updates and a nearby download region are the difference between a game being ready when you pick up the Deck versus stalling on a multi-gigabyte patch right when you want to play, especially with limited mobile or shared home bandwidth.
Best practices
- Set a bandwidth limit if the Deck shares a connection with other devices, so background updates don't choke the rest of the household's internet.
- Manually pick the nearest download region if updates are consistently slow — the automatic choice isn't always optimal.
- Group frequently played games into a Collection so they're quick to find without scrolling the whole library.
Common problems and fixes
- A game shows 'Update Pending' but never starts downloading
- Open the Downloads settings page once — this often kicks a stalled download queue — or manually select the game and choose Update from its ••• menu.
- Downloads are extremely slow despite good Wi-Fi
- Change the download region in Settings > Downloads to a closer or less congested Steam content server and retry.
Tips and tricks
- Queue several game installs before bed and let 'Suspend while charging' handle overnight downloads — the Deck can keep downloading in Suspend when plugged in.
Frequently asked questions
Do downloads pause automatically on battery to save power?
Downloads continue on battery, but Valve recommends staying plugged in for large downloads — you can also cap bandwidth or pause manually from the Downloads queue.
Related settings
- Storage: Internal & microSDThe Deck's internal SSD/eMMC fills up fast with modern game sizes, and a microSD card is the standard way to expand storage. SteamOS treats a properly formatted card as a first-class install location.
- Wi-Fi & BluetoothThe Deck's Wi-Fi drives every download and update, and Bluetooth is how you pair headphones, controllers, and keyboards. Both live in the same Quick Settings panel for fast access without leaving your game.