How to Use Discord on Steam Deck
Valve's handheld gaming console offers an exceptional way to experience massive PC game libraries on the go, yet staying connected with friends remains a vital part of the modern gaming experience. While the device handles gameplay perfectly, setting up your favorite communication apps requires navigating the underlying Linux architecture. Fortunately, uniting your gaming sessions with voice chat is entirely possible through a straightforward integration process.
Switching to Desktop Mode
To begin the installation process, you must temporarily leave the standard gaming interface and access the full computer environment. Press the physical Steam button on your device to open the main settings navigation menu. From there, select the power options and choose the setting to switch directly into the desktop mode.
Your screen will briefly go blank before revealing a traditional Linux desktop environment powered by SteamOS. This secondary layout allows you to modify internal settings and manage third-party software that is not natively found in the official marketplace. You can navigate this workspace easily using the right trackpad as a mouse cursor and the right trigger to perform clicks.
Installing the Application
Once you are inside the desktop interface, locate the software manager icon situated on the lower toolbar, which is known as the Discover app. Open this application store to browse through a vast selection of compatible programs designed for your operating system. Use the search bar in the top-left corner to type in the name of the chat application you wish to download.
When the software appears in the search results, click the install button to begin downloading the necessary packages directly to your local storage drive. The system will automatically handle the setup process without requiring any advanced technical commands or administrative passwords. After the installation completes, you can test the program to ensure it launches successfully on the desktop.
Adding to the Steam Library
To use your new communication tool smoothly while playing games, you must register it as a non-Steam application within your primary library launcher. Open the desktop version of the gaming client and click the games option located in the top menu bar. Choose the selection to add a non-Steam game to my library from the dropdown menu.
A checklist containing all installed applications on your system will pop up on the screen. Scroll through the available items, select the chat app checkbox, and click the confirmation button to finalize the process. This step ensures that the communication tool can be accessed directly from the standard handheld gaming interface.
Optimizing the Controls
Return to the standard gaming environment by double-clicking the return to gaming mode shortcut located directly on your desktop wallpaper. Navigate to your library tab and look under the non-Steam category to find your newly added application. Before launching the software, click on the controller settings icon to customize how the hardware buttons behave.
It is highly recommended to assign specific commands to the rear buttons to control your microphone muting or push-to-talk features during intense multiplayer sessions. Adjusting these parameters ensures that your voice chat runs seamlessly in the background while you play your favorite titles. You can now open both the game and the chat app simultaneously to enjoy a fully connected portable experience.