All keyboard shortcuts for Steam Deck. Ultimate Guide

Valve’s first portable gaming console Steam Deck is not as simple as it looks at first glance.Unlike other popular set-top boxes, a lot of key combinations are sewn into the “deck” operating system, with the help of which it becomes much more convenient to control the device.We’ve put together a complete list of key hotkeys to help beginners navigate the SteamOS menus.For advanced gamers, this guide can be a great tool, since remembering all these combos is more difficult than learning all the Fatalities in Mortal Kombat 3.

You probably already know that Steam Deck has two modes – gaming and desktop.Let’s start with useful combinations for the first one.

In this mode, the developers provided hints, but they forgot to mention this in the instructions – a long press on the “Steam” or “…” button allows you to see the entire list of quick commands.This feature even works in games.

Below is a detailed list of hotkeys:

• Steam + B (hold) – Force quit and exit any game.This can be used when the game freezes;
• Steam + X – call the on-screen keyboard.Works both in games and in the main menu;
• Steam + L1 – Magnifier.The function can be useful in role-playing games with a lot of small text, which is a real pain to read on a 7-inch screen;
• Steam + R1 – screenshot.You may want to share interesting moments with friends or just save a screenshot for memory;
• Steam + L2 / R2 – right / left mouse button.Mandatory combo in strategies;
• Steam + right analog stick (hold) – mouse control in games;
• Steam + right trackpad – use the touchpad to control the mouse cursor;
• Steam + right trackpad click – left click
• Steam + Up/Down on left analog stick – Increase/decrease screen brightness.Works in games and menus;
• Steam + right on the D-pad – simulate pressing the Enter key;
• Steam + Down on the D-pad – simulates pressing the Tab key;
• Steam + D-pad Left – Simulates pressing the Escape key.

These are the main keyboard shortcuts that will allow you to quickly find or change the desired settings, as well as control in games designed for the mouse.

In desktop mode, most of the buttons on the Steam Deck act as a specific keyboard or mouse key, so there is no need to press and hold the Steam button.For example, the right mouse button here is assigned to the right trigger – R2.Here is the complete list of keyboard shortcuts for the SteamOS desktop:

• The right trackpad is a full-fledged mouse simulator in desktop mode.Clicking on the trackpad simulates the left mouse button;
• Right analog stick – also allows you to control the mouse cursor, but its accuracy is much lower than when using the touchpad.Clicking on the stick also functions as the left mouse button;
• Left trackpad – horizontal and vertical scrolling in the browser.To scroll to the end of the page, you need to swipe your finger clockwise, and to return to the beginning – counterclockwise.Pressing this trackpad is responsible for the middle mouse button, which is used to open and close tabs in Firefox.

Since the SteamOS operating system is based on Debian Linux, and the Steam Deck itself is a full-fledged mini-PC, it also provides the following keys:

• R2 – left mouse button;
• L2 – right mouse button;
• L1 – left Ctrl;
• R1 – left Alt;
• Y – space;
• X – on-screen keyboard;
• B – back (esc);
• A – input (enter);
• Upper left petal – left Shift;
• Lower left lobe – Windows key (Super key);
• Upper right petal – page up (Page Up);
• Lower right petal – page down (Page Down);
• Start – exit (esc);
• select-tab;
• The left trackpad and left analog stick are the arrow keys.

Valve also allows you to remap buttons in desktop mode if, for example, you’re not happy with the default layout:

• Open Steam and click on the Settings button;

• Go to the Controller tab and select Desktop Configuration;
• Here you can remap each Steam Deck button to your liking.

Another interesting option in desktop mode is the creation of custom shortcuts that can be used to launch various applications and games.For example, you can hang a quick launch of a file manager, browser or emulator on certain keys.

Here’s how to do it:

• Open the Quick Settings menu and go to the Shortcuts tab;
• Select the desired program from the list or add a new application;
• On the Shortcuts tab, assign keyboard shortcuts to an application or its specific function.

In addition to all the keyboard shortcuts described in this guide, you can create your own shortcuts to perform various actions in desktop mode.It all depends on your imagination and needs.