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What Decky Loader does on Steam Deck
Decky Loader is a homebrew plugin launcher for Steam Deck. It adds a plug-shaped entry to the Gaming Mode Quick Access menu, where you can open a plugin browser and install independently maintained extensions. Plugins can add interface controls, utilities, and other changes to the Deck experience, but they do not all come from one publisher. Compatibility, maintenance quality, and behavior can therefore vary from plugin to plugin.
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The installation itself starts outside the normal game interface. You switch to Desktop Mode, download the installer from the official Decky Loader GitHub repository, run it, select a release channel, and switch back to Gaming Mode. Once Decky is present, installing a plugin is handled from the loader’s own browser rather than from the desktop file manager.
Before you install: equipment, passwords, and channel choice
Keyboard and mouse are optional
A physical keyboard and mouse are useful for downloading and launching the installer, but neither is required. The official instructions support USB-C and Bluetooth peripherals. If you have no external devices, use the Steam Deck’s right trackpad to move the pointer. Press Steam and Plus (+) together to open the on-screen keyboard when text entry is required.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Desktop Mode is easier with a small USB-C keyboard or a USB-C/Bluetooth mouse, especially when renaming the installer file. Treat these as convenience items, not installation requirements: the trackpad and on-screen keyboard provide a fallback for every step described here.
Choose the release channel deliberately
| Installer choice | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Release | Most Steam Deck owners | The stable branch recommended for ordinary use and day-to-day plugin compatibility. |
| Latest Pre-Release | Plugin developers or people troubleshooting a stable-branch problem | Earlier builds that may be less stable. The project does not present this as the normal choice for users who simply want Decky working. |
Select Latest Release unless you have a specific reason to test pre-release software. SteamOS preview or beta channels can temporarily break loader compatibility after an operating-system update, so the stable SteamOS channel is the safer pairing for a dependable Decky setup.
Have an administrator password path ready
The installer can ask for an administrator password. If your Deck does not already have one, the project’s installer can temporarily set a password when needed and remove it after installation completes. Follow the installer’s prompt rather than creating a permanent password solely for this procedure.
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Complete these steps on the Deck itself. Do not try to run the desktop installer from Gaming Mode.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Switch to Desktop Mode. Press the Steam button, open Power, and select Switch to Desktop. Wait for the KDE desktop to load before opening the browser.
- Open the official repository. In a browser, go to the official Decky Loader GitHub repository and download the installer file supplied by the project. Use the project’s own repository rather than a third-party mirror so that you are getting the intended installer.
- Check the downloaded filename. Firefox may save the file as
decky_installer.desktop.downloadwhile it is treated as a download. Before launching it, rename it todecky_installer.desktopby removing the.downloadsuffix. If the file already ends in.desktop, leave that name unchanged. - Place and launch the installer. Drag the
decky_installer.desktopfile onto the desktop, then double-click it. If double-clicking does nothing, open the Dolphin file manager, locate the file in your Downloads folder or on the desktop, and launch it there. The Dolphin route is also the recommended fallback when the browser does not open the downloaded installer directly. - Approve administrator access. Enter an administrator password if the installer requests one. Read the prompt carefully; the official installer can temporarily create a password when necessary and remove it after the operation is finished.
- Select the normal release channel. When the installer presents the channel choices, choose Latest Release for the stable branch. Choose Latest Pre-Release only when you are intentionally testing a pre-release build, developing a plugin, or following a troubleshooting instruction that specifically calls for it.
- Return to Gaming Mode. When installation finishes, open the desktop shortcut labeled Return to Gaming Mode. Allow the Deck to transition back to the standard Steam interface before checking for Decky.
Confirm that Decky Loader is available
In Gaming Mode, press the … button to open Quick Access. A plug-shaped Decky icon should appear among the Quick Access entries. Select that icon to open the loader. If the icon is present, the installation is complete and you can add plugins without returning to Desktop Mode.
If the icon is not present immediately, give Gaming Mode a moment to finish loading, then close and reopen Quick Access. If it remains absent, use the recovery steps in the troubleshooting section rather than downloading an installer from an unverified website.
Add a plugin through Decky’s Plugins Browser
Plugin installation takes place in Gaming Mode:
- Press the … button to open Quick Access.
- Select the Decky plug icon.
- Choose the store/plugins icon to open the Plugins Browser.
- Select a plugin, review its listing, and press Install.
After installation, the plugin appears in Decky’s menu according to the plugin’s own interface. Some plugins expose controls immediately; others add settings or a separate screen. If a listing offers a version dropdown, leave the default selection in place for an ordinary install. The project recommends avoiding manual version selection unless you have a specific compatibility reason or a developer has told you which version to use.
Because plugins are independently maintained, read each listing’s description and update notes before installing. A plugin can work on one SteamOS or Decky combination and need an update after another. Installing fewer, well-maintained plugins also makes it easier to identify the cause if a new extension changes the Deck’s behavior.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Update, reload, or remove a plugin
Update a plugin
Open Quick Access, select the Decky icon, and use the plugin’s management controls. When an update is offered, apply it from that management view rather than downloading an unrelated copy of the plugin. If a plugin update introduces a problem, the same management area is where you can remove or reload it.
Reload a plugin
Use the Decky menu’s reload control when a plugin is installed but its interface does not appear or a change has not taken effect. Reloading is a management action for the existing installation; it does not require running the desktop installer again.
Uninstall a plugin
From the Decky menu, open the plugin’s management controls and choose the uninstall option. Uninstalling removes the plugin files. It may not remove every additional file that the plugin created elsewhere, so uninstall is not a guarantee that all plugin-generated data disappears. If you need to remove leftover files, consult that plugin’s own documentation and be cautious about deleting anything outside the plugin’s documented location.
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Install from a URL only when you trust the source
Decky also exposes URL-based plugin installation in its Settings menu. This can be useful when a developer gives you a direct plugin package, but it bypasses the normal discovery flow. The project explicitly warns against installing plugins from untrusted URLs. Use a URL only when you can verify who published it and why you need that particular package.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Troubleshoot common Decky Loader problems
The browser downloaded a file that will not open
Firefox may append .download to the filename. In Dolphin, rename decky_installer.desktop.download to decky_installer.desktop, then launch the renamed file. If launching from the browser fails even after renaming, use Dolphin directly: open the file manager, find the installer in Downloads, and double-click it there. Copying the file to the desktop before launching can also make the desktop shortcut and its permissions easier to locate.
The Decky plug icon disappeared after a SteamOS update
SteamOS updates can cause Decky to disappear from Quick Access. The project’s prescribed fix is to rerun the installer and install the stable branch again:
- Switch to Desktop Mode through Steam > Power > Switch to Desktop.
- Run the Decky installer from the existing download or download the current installer from the official repository.
- Choose Latest Release when prompted.
- Use the Return to Gaming Mode shortcut and check Quick Access for the plug icon.
Do not jump to a pre-release build as the first response. Try the stable reinstall first. If the icon still does not return, the project suggests trying the pre-release branch, then checking existing project issues or filing a new issue with details about the SteamOS update and what you observed. A pre-release can help diagnose a compatibility problem, but it may introduce instability of its own.
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Decky works until a SteamOS preview update
Preview and beta SteamOS channels can temporarily break compatibility after an update. If your priority is a reliable loader, move back to the stable SteamOS channel before diagnosing individual plugins. If you deliberately stay on a preview channel, expect that a Decky reinstall or a plugin update may be needed after system changes.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
A plugin does not work or causes a new problem
First use Decky’s reload control, then check whether the plugin has an update. If the problem began immediately after installing or updating one plugin, uninstall that plugin and test the Deck without it. Remember that plugin quality and compatibility are the responsibility of each plugin maintainer, not a guarantee provided by Decky Loader itself.
Avoid installing a replacement copy from an unknown URL simply because the store version has a problem. Verify the publisher and release information before using URL installation, and keep a note of which plugin you changed so you can report a useful issue if the problem persists.
The installer asks for a password you do not have
Read the installer prompt carefully. The official installer can temporarily set an administrator password if one is missing and remove it after the installation process. If the prompt does not offer that path, stop rather than guessing credentials, and confirm that you launched the official installer file from the project repository.
Practical maintenance after installation
Keep the stable branch as your default
For a normal gaming Deck, stay on Latest Release and use stable SteamOS when possible. Pre-release Decky builds are primarily for plugin developers and users who need to test a fix that is not yet in the stable branch. Treat a switch to pre-release as a troubleshooting decision, not as a routine update.
Make changes one at a time
When diagnosing a failure, change one variable at a time: reinstall Decky, update one plugin, or remove one plugin. This preserves a clear cause-and-effect trail. Installing several plugins or changing the loader channel simultaneously makes it harder to identify which change affected Quick Access or a plugin’s interface.
Know what Decky does not promise
Decky Loader is homebrew software maintained by the Steam Deck Homebrew community. It is not part of SteamOS, and its plugins are not all maintained by the same team. There is no authoritative total plugin count or published figure for loader performance overhead in the cited project materials, so claims about a specific number of plugins or a universal performance cost should not be treated as established facts.
Quick Recap
Desktop-to-Gaming-Mode installation checklist
- Switch with Steam > Power > Switch to Desktop.
- Download the installer from the official Decky Loader GitHub repository.
- Rename
decky_installer.desktop.downloadtodecky_installer.desktopif Firefox added the suffix. - Launch the file from the desktop or Dolphin file manager.
- Approve administrator access when prompted.
- Choose Latest Release for ordinary use.
- Open Return to Gaming Mode.
- In Gaming Mode, open … > Decky plug icon > store/plugins icon.
- Select a plugin and press Install.
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