Install SteamOS
Prepare a USB key of at least 8GB containing the recovery image:
On Windows, we recommend using the Rufus tool. Select the recovery file and write it to your USB drive (this will format your USB drive). Once finished, select “Close” and eject the hard drive.
On macOS, you can use Balena Etcher to write the recovery file to your USB drive.
On Linux, you can also use Balena Etcher to write the recovery file to your USB drive—or you can do it directly from the command line if you prefer:
(Set /dev/sdX to your plugged-in USB device) `bzcat steamdeck-recovery-4.img.bz2 | sudo dd if=/dev/stdin of=/dev/sdX oflag=sync status=progress bs=128M`
If the Steam Deck or other device is not already powered off, please power it off. On the Steam Deck, press and hold the “Volume Up” button and press the power button—when you hear the beep, release the Volume Up button, and you will be kicked into the boot menu. Use the arrow keys and the A key to select the boot manager.
On most non-Steam Deck devices, you need to disable Secure Boot to boot from a USB drive.
Follow your device’s instructions to access the boot menu.
Plug in the boot disk using a USB-C adapter or hub.
In the boot manager, boot from “EFI USB device” (your USB key).
The screen will go black during boot—wait a moment.
Once booted, you’ll enter a desktop environment where you can navigate using the trackpad and triggers, touchscreen, or mouse.
Select the “Re-image device” option on the desktop. This will completely wipe the device and install the factory SteamOS.
After installation, restart, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the SteamOS welcome experience.
Repair and Recovery Options
In the installation and recovery environment, there are three options. Please complete steps 1 through 7 above and choose from the following options based on your needs.
Reinstall Device—Perform a complete factory reset—All user information, installed games, applications, or the operating system will be erased and replaced with the factory SteamOS.
Repair SteamOS – This will reinstall SteamOS on your Steam Deck or other devices, attempting to preserve your games and personal content.
Recovery Tool – This will open a prompt allowing you to change the device’s boot partition.
Disable Secure Boot – For most non-Steam Deck devices, you’ll need to disable Secure Boot on your device to re-image from a USB drive. You can disable this feature in your device’s BIOS or UEFI menu. You can find instructions on how to set this up from the manufacturer – here are example instructions for the original Legion Go and ROG Ally.
Legion Go / Legion Go S (Windows) – Secure Boot Setup
Completely power off
Press and hold the Volume Up button, then press the Power button—keep holding the Volume Up button
Select BIOS Settings in the “Novo Button Menu” (touchscreen operation may be required)
Click More Settings
Tap Security
In Secure Boot > Select Disable
Tap Exit
Click Exit to save changes
Follow the instructions to install SteamOS on the device
ROG Ally – Secure Boot Setup
Press Restart during power-on
After restarting, press and hold the Volume Up button to enter the BIOS tool
Press “Y” to enter Advanced Mode
Use the right arrow key to enter the Security tab
Press the down arrow key for Secure Boot, press A to select
Set Secure Boot Control to “Disabled”
B to return
Right-click to save and exit
Follow the instructions to install SteamOS on the device
