For dependable two-way transfers, use SFTP over your local network. Set a password and enable SSH on the Deck, then connect from Windows with WinSCP or from Windows, macOS, or Linux with FileZilla. KDE Connect is easier for a few small files; a USB drive or external SSD suits a very large one-time copy; Syncthing is for keeping selected folders synchronized. Transfer only ROMs and BIOS files you are legally entitled to use.
Choose a transfer method
| Situation | Recommended method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A few small files or screenshots | KDE Connect | Simple wireless sharing without configuring an SFTP client. |
| A large folder over the network | SFTP with WinSCP or FileZilla | Direct, two-way access to the Deck’s files and microSD card. |
| A very large one-time transfer | External SSD or USB flash drive | Avoids wireless discovery and network interruptions. |
| Repeatedly updating saves or selected folders | Syncthing | Synchronizes chosen folders between devices. |
| Games already on a Windows PC share | SMB network share | Lets the Deck access the shared folder without first staging files elsewhere. |
| Importing ROMs or BIOS files from removable storage into EmuDeck | EmuDeck USB Transfer Wizard | Copies files into EmuDeck’s folder structure. |
| Direct PC-to-Deck USB connection | DeckMTP | Possible, but requires additional setup; a normal USB-C cable does not automatically expose Deck storage. |
For SFTP, KDE Connect, and EmuDeck guidance, see EmuDeck’s SteamOS file-management guide and its SteamOS FAQ. KDE Connect’s supported platforms and downloads are listed at KDE Connect.
Before you transfer
Use Desktop Mode for setup
Press the Steam button, choose Power > Switch to Desktop, and use the Linux desktop to open Konsole, Dolphin, Discover, KDE Connect, or EmuDeck. Set up the transfer there. Once SSH is enabled, an SFTP client can generally transfer files while the Deck is being used normally, but do setup and troubleshooting in Desktop Mode rather than assuming every tool behaves identically in Game Mode.
Know where the files belong
The home directory is /home/deck/. Removable media commonly appears under /run/media/deck/. EmuDeck may be installed on internal storage or the microSD card; its Emulation folder and ROM, BIOS, and save subfolders depend on that choice. Open EmuDeck or Dolphin to confirm the active location instead of relying on a path copied from another Deck. EmuDeck describes its folder behavior in its SteamOS FAQ.
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Understand the microSD filesystem
SteamOS normally formats a Deck microSD card as ext4. Windows does not natively browse ext4 like a standard FAT32 or exFAT drive, so removing the card and inserting it into a Windows PC may not make its files accessible. Network transfer or a USB drive readable by both systems is usually simpler. Steam explains card formatting and supported cards in its storage and microSD support page.
Make room and avoid interrupting active files
- Check available space on the destination before copying. Steam’s Steam > Settings > Storage view helps manage internal and connected storage.
- Keep the Deck awake during large transfers, and do not copy or synchronize a save while a game is actively writing to it.
- Copy rather than move at first. Verify that files open or launch from the destination before deleting the original.
Transfer with SFTP: the best all-purpose method
SFTP transfers files both ways over an encrypted SSH connection. The Deck and PC should be on the same local network. The commands and settings below follow EmuDeck’s file-management instructions.
Enable SSH on the Steam Deck
- Switch to Desktop Mode and open Konsole.
- Create or change the Deck account password by entering
passwd. Type a strong password twice. The terminal does not display characters as you type. - Enable and start SSH with
sudo systemctl enable --now sshd. Enter the password if prompted. - Find the Deck’s Wi-Fi IPv4 address with
ip addr | grep inet | grep wlan0. Record the address afterinet, such as192.168.1.25. You can also try the hostnamesteamdeck.
Connect from Windows with WinSCP
- Install WinSCP from its official download page.
- Open WinSCP and create a new session with File protocol: SFTP, Host name: steamdeck or the Deck’s IP address, Port number: 22, User name: deck, and the password set with
passwd. - Choose Login. Accept the host-key prompt only if the hostname or IP shown is the Deck you intended to reach.
- In the two-pane view, the PC is on the left and the Deck is on the right. Drag files or folders between the panes and wait for the transfer queue to finish.
Connect with FileZilla on Windows, macOS, or Linux
- Download FileZilla from its official site.
- Open File > Site Manager and create a site with Protocol: SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol, Host: steamdeck or the Deck’s IP address, Port: 22, Logon Type: Normal, User: deck, and the Deck password.
- Connect, then drag files between the local computer pane and the remote Deck pane.
Choose the internal drive or microSD card
To reach the microSD card in the remote pane, go up to the filesystem root and open /run/media/deck/. Open the folder for the mounted card; its displayed name can vary. The internal home directory is under /home/deck/. If the card does not appear, check in Dolphin that SteamOS sees and has mounted it.
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- Store more of your favorite games and other content with capacities up to 2TB
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Copy in either direction, then turn SSH off
Drag from the PC pane to the Deck to send files to the Deck; reverse the direction to copy files back to the PC. After confirming the destination, disable SSH when you no longer need it by running sudo systemctl disable --now sshd in Konsole. Use a strong password, keep the service off when not needed, and do not expose SSH to the public internet.
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Send smaller files with KDE Connect
KDE Connect is a convenient choice for screenshots, saves, documents, and modest batches. It is available in the Deck’s Desktop Mode environment or through Discover, and KDE lists downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS at its download page. See also the KDE Connect feature page.
- In Desktop Mode, open KDE Connect on the Deck. Install and open it on the PC; put both devices on the same non-guest network.
- Pair the devices in KDE Connect and approve the request on the other device.
- Choose Send Files or use the file manager’s KDE Connect sharing option. Select the files and destination folder.
- To copy files back, start the send from the device that currently has them and choose the other paired device.
Discovery, firewall prompts, and destination selection can be less predictable than in SFTP, particularly on guest or isolated networks. If the devices will not pair, use SFTP or a USB drive.
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Use a USB drive or external SSD
A removable drive avoids wireless pairing and can be a practical choice for a large one-time copy. For a Windows-and-SteamOS workflow, exFAT is often a practical option for large files; confirm both systems can read the drive before relying on it. A drive formatted ext4 is inconvenient for a Windows-only workflow unless the PC has suitable filesystem support.
- Connect the drive to the PC and copy the files onto it. Safely eject it.
- Connect it to the Deck with USB-C, a compatible adapter, or a dock. Steam’s dock and peripheral guidance covers USB peripherals and dock connections.
- In Desktop Mode, open Dolphin, then copy the files from the removable drive to internal storage or the mounted microSD card.
- For Deck-to-PC transfers, copy the files from the Deck to the removable drive, safely eject it, then connect it to the PC.
- Safely eject the drive from the Deck before unplugging it.
Import EmuDeck files with its USB Transfer Wizard
If the files are ROMs or BIOS files, EmuDeck’s import workflow can place them in its expected folders. Copy the files to the appropriate folders on the USB drive, connect it to the Deck, then open EmuDeck and use the USB Transfer Wizard or relevant import option to select the system folders. Follow the EmuDeck USB import guide and application manual.
Keep selected folders synchronized with Syncthing
Syncthing is for ongoing synchronization, not merely one-time copying. It can suit emulator saves, homebrew projects, mods, or personal documents. Install it on both devices using the official Syncthing downloads page, then configure a clearly defined folder on each and share that folder between the devices.
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- Do not sync a save file while the game is open on both devices; synchronization does not make simultaneous edits safe.
- Use versioning or separate backups where available, and check for conflicts before replacing files.
- Avoid syncing an entire emulator directory without checking its contents. Caches, configuration, or symlinks can behave differently across devices. EmuDeck notes Syncthing-related folder and symlink limitations in its tools and guides.
Access a Windows folder with SMB
SMB can be useful when a large library already resides in a shared Windows folder and you want to copy from it without first moving it onto a USB drive. In Windows, share the folder and grant the intended account read or write permission. On the Deck, open Dolphin, choose Network, browse to the PC or enter its network address, then sign in with the Windows account if prompted. Copy the files to the Deck; to send files back, use a PC share with write permission. Windows sharing menus and firewall behavior vary by edition and network profile, so treat SMB as an alternative when you are comfortable managing those settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Direct USB connection with DeckMTP
A standard USB-C cable does not automatically make Deck storage appear as a USB drive on the PC. Direct MTP access is possible with DeckMTP, but it involves Decky Loader, a plugin, and a BIOS setting. EmuDeck documents this approach in its file-management guide.
- Shut down the Deck. Hold Volume Up and press Power to enter BIOS.
- Open Setup Utility > Advanced > USB Configuration.
- Change USB Dual-Role Device to DRD instead of the existing XHCI setting.
- Install and configure DeckMTP as documented, then connect the Deck to the PC over USB.
This is a more involved route than SFTP or connecting a USB drive to the Deck. Do not change BIOS settings unless you are comfortable following the plugin’s requirements and recovery guidance.
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Place ROMs and BIOS files where EmuDeck expects them
- Open EmuDeck and identify whether its installation and ROM location are on internal storage or the microSD card.
- In Dolphin or your SFTP client, open the corresponding
Emulation/roms/<system>folder and place each supported game file in the appropriate system directory. - Place BIOS files in the BIOS directory expected by the relevant emulator. Requirements and supported formats vary by system and emulator.
- Open the frontend you use, or refresh the relevant parser or Steam ROM Manager configuration so newly copied games are picked up. Steam ROM Manager can create non-Steam shortcuts; EmuDeck notes that using it may temporarily close Steam.
- Test one game before importing a large collection. If it does not appear or launch, check the system folder, file extension, BIOS requirement, compression format, and any multi-disc setup such as an
.m3ufile.
EmuDeck’s folder setup and frontend behavior are described in its SteamOS FAQ and application manual. Use ROMs and BIOS files that you are legally entitled to use; this guide does not provide sources for copyrighted downloads.
Troubleshoot common transfer problems
The PC cannot find “steamdeck” or SFTP says “connection refused”
- Try the Deck’s current IPv4 address instead of the hostname; addresses can change.
- Confirm both devices are awake and on the same local network, not separated by a guest network or client-isolation setting.
- In Konsole, check SSH with
systemctl status sshd. If needed, restart it withsudo systemctl restart sshd. - Use port 22. If discovery still fails, test with the PC wired to the router or move both devices closer to it.
Authentication fails
Use username deck, not root, and the password created with passwd. Check the keyboard layout, Caps Lock, and whether you are connecting to the correct Deck. Routine file transfers do not require root login.
The microSD card is missing
Look under /run/media/deck/ and confirm in Dolphin that the card is inserted and mounted. If the card is in a Windows reader and appears inaccessible, its SteamOS ext4 format may be the reason. Do not reformat it unless you intend to erase its contents.
A transfer stalls or stops
- Keep the Deck awake, check available destination space, and transfer smaller batches.
- For a very large copy, use a USB drive or improve the network path; wired Ethernet through a USB-C dock can be more consistent than weak Wi-Fi. Steam’s wired-network troubleshooting guidance covers Ethernet testing.
- Use the client’s resume option where available. Avoid moving files that Steam or an emulator is actively using.
Files copied, but games do not appear
Check that the files are in the correct system folder and use a supported format, that required BIOS files are present, and that the frontend or Steam ROM Manager has been refreshed. Some multi-disc games need an emulator-specific arrangement, such as an .m3u file.
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Open KDE Connect on both devices, pair from Desktop Mode, check that neither is on a guest network, and approve Windows firewall prompts. Restart the apps if needed; use SFTP or removable storage if discovery remains unreliable.
The Deck’s internal storage is full
Open Steam > Settings > Storage to inspect storage. You can transfer appropriate files to the microSD card, but confirm their new path and any emulator or application configuration before removing the originals.
Quick Recap
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