How to Add Mods to Your Steam Deck for a Custom Gaming Experience

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid Steam Deck gamer, one of the first things I set out to do was mod my favorite games. The Steam Deck is incredibly mod-friendly and unlocks opportunities to radically enhance your gaming experience through custom content, graphics, gameplay tweaks, and more.

If you just unboxed your Steam Deck or are still on the reservation waitlist, you may be wondering: *how exactly do I go about adding mods?* Can the Steam Deck even handle intensive modding?*

Having spent countless hours tinkering and testing, I can firmly say modding is one of the Steam Deck‘s strongest features once you learn the ropes. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share everything I wish I knew earlier to help you install incredible mods to transform your favorite Steam Deck games.

Overview: How to Add Mods to Steam Deck

Here‘s a quick rundown of the modding process:

  1. Enable Developer Mode: Gives you admin access to install mods and tools
  2. Install Helper Software: Essential tools like ProtonUp-QT and SteamTinkerLaunch
  3. Add Games to Steam: Launch non-Steam games through Steam to manage mods
  4. Choose Mod Method: Pick mod managers like Vortex or manual installs
  5. Find Game Folders: Navigate to /steamapps/common to access install locations
  6. Install Desired Mods: Subscribe on Steam Workshop or download from NexusMods etc.
  7. Launch with Managers: Run modded games smoothly via helpers like Vortex

I‘ll now break down each step to help you expertly mod your favorite Steam Deck games.

1. Enable Developer Mode on Your Steam Deck

The first step to installing any mods is enabling Developer Mode on your Steam Deck system settings. This grants you administrator access to tinker with game files and install third-party tools.

Here‘s how to enable Developer Mode:

  1. Go to Settings > System
  2. Turn on Developer Mode using the slider
  3. Enter your system password when prompted

That‘s it! This small tweak makes your Steam Deck extremely flexible and modding-ready.

2. Install Essential Modding Helper Software

To effectively run complex mods, I highly recommend installing two open-source helper tools:

ProtonUp-QT

ProtonUp-QT allows you to install community versions of Proton (Valve‘s Wine/SteamPlay compatibility tool) directly through an easy graphical interface.

Newer Proton releases often fix mod compatibility issues and optimize performance. Having the flexibility to pick Proton versions makes managing mods much easier.

ProtonUp-QT interface on Steam Deck

SteamTinkerLaunch

SteamTinkerLaunch provides advanced launch options for Steam games, like directly launching a game‘s executable or through mod organizer tools like Vortex.

This allows proper configuration when running complex modded setups.

You can install both tools easily through the Discover app store in Desktop mode. They‘ll run seamlessly alongside Steam.

3. Add Non-Steam Games to Steam

If a game wasn‘t purchased directly through Steam, you‘ll need to manually add it to your Steam library using the "Add a Non-Steam Game" function.

This allows Steam to detect and manage these games appropriately, especially when launching through mod tools.

Here‘s how to add games:

  1. In the Steam client, click Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library
  2. Browse to the game‘s .exe file and add it
  3. The game will now appear in your Steam library!

4. Choose Your Mod Installation Method

There are two main approaches to actually installing mods – manager tools like Vortex, or manually placing mod files.

A. Using Vortex (Recommend)

Vortex is my manager of choice for most Steam Deck modding. Developed by NexusMods, Vortex automatically sorts your enabled mods, detects conflicts, configures optimal load orders, and more.

This means far less guesswork and frustration getting complex mods to cooperate!

The Vortex installer is available on Discover, allowing quick setup directly through the Steam Deck‘s Linux environment.

Key Features:

  • Auto-sorting for 250+ supported games
  • Customizable rules and metadata tagging
  • Detailed diagnosis of issues
  • Works with many NexusMods game collections

I‘d highly recommend Vortex for anyone new to modding, as it streamlines nearly everything.

B. Manual Mod Installation

Manually installing mods means directly placing files into game folders rather than using tools like Vortex to automate management behind-the-scenes.

While more hands-on, manual modding allows precise control and is necessary for certain mods.

I actually use a combination of Vortex and manual installs on my Deck depending on the game and types of mods.

5. Navigate to Game Install Folders

To add mods (either manually or via Vortex), you‘ll need access to where games are installed in the file system. This is where you place the actual mod data packages.

Nearly all Steam games are located at:

/home/deck/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/

For example, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim would be under:

/common/Skyrim Special Edition/

Use the Discover file explorer in Desktop mode to easily access these folders.

Under each game‘s folder are crucial locations like /Data/Mods for you to add mods that override or add original game files.

6. Find and Install Desired Mods

Now the fun begins – finding cool mods and actually installing them!

The two main ways to get mods are:

A. Steam Workshop

If a game supports Steam Workshop integration like Cities: Skyrim or Left 4 Dead 2, I can browse and subscribe to mods that automatically download to my Steam Deck. This option is the most convenient when available.

B. Websites Like Nexus Mods

For games without Workshop access, I visit dedicated modding sites like NexusMods. Popular examples without Workshop support include The Witcher 3, No Man‘s Sky, and Cyberpunk 2077.

On these sites, I manually search for mods, download them, and then use Vortex or manually place the files accordingly. Doing a bit of hunting is worth it, as sites like Nexus host exponentially bigger collections than limited Steam Workshop libraries.

A few quick examples of fantastic Steam Deck mods I‘m currently running:

  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Open Cities: Removes load barriers between cities and the open world for immersive traveling
  • No Man‘s Sky – Project Atlas: Massive visual overhaul adding ringed planets, new biomes, 30+ new ship designs, and overhauled space visuals
  • Cyberpunk 2077 – Metro System: Expands the Night City metro with 10 new stations, hours of additional gameplay, and custom interactions

The possibilities are truly endless depending on the game. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with all kinds of mods to create your ideal Steam Deck experience.

7. Launch Games Smoothly Alongside Mods

The final step is properly launching your newly-modded games using helpers like SteamTinkerLaunch and Vortex.

For Vortex-managed games, I configure SteamTinkerLaunch with:

  • Start in: /home/deck/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Vortex
  • Executable: /path/to/vortex/launcher

This automatically runs my game through Vortex instead of standard Steam, allowing all my enabled mods to load.

For manual modding, double check your items are placed correctly in file explorers before launching as usual through Steam.

While there may be some trial and error, take time to test and slowly build up your modded collection. Before you know it, the hours will fly by enjoying your fully customized Steam Deck experience.

Let me know if you have any other questions – happy modding!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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