How to Format SD Card for Steam Deck on PC

What is the suitable Steam Deck SD card format?

The Steam Deck is one of the most advanced handheld gaming consoles, offering a true PC gaming experience on the go. However, with modern games requiring substantial storage, even the 512GB model can quickly run out of space. To expand storageor solve steam not enough disk space issue, many users rely on microSD cards, but selecting the correct format is crucial for compatibility.

Steam Deck requires microSD cards to be formatted in the EXT4 file system. Using any other file system may prevent the SD card from being recognized by the device. Understanding and knowing how to format SD card for Steam Deck on PC correctly ensures seamless storage expansion and optimal gaming performance.

How to format SDcard for Steam Deck on PC

Formatting your SD card to EXT4 is a straightforward process, but it will erase all data on the card. To prevent data loss, make sure to back up your files before proceeding with the format.

Since Windows does not natively support formatting SD cards to EXT4, you’ll need a third-party tool to perform the task. Among the various available options, we recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant. This reliable disk management software simplifies the process of formatting SD cards (or any other drives) to the EXT4 file system, making it an excellent choice for this task.

Here is how to format SD card for Steam Deck on PCWindows 11step by step:

Step 1. First, connect the SD card to your computer. Install and open this formatting tool, and choose the SD card by right-clicking, and click "Format Partition".

Step 2. You can assign the file system to Ext4 in this small window, and click "OK".

Step 3. On the main interface, click "Apply" to commit the operation.

How to format Steam Deck SD card on Steam Deck

Since EXT4 is the required format for SD cards used in the Steam Deck, you can't easily format them to this file system in Windows. Fortunately, Valve provides a simple way to format your SD card directly on the Steam Deck. Follow these steps to format your SD card:

Step 1. Insert the SD card into the slot at the bottom of your Steam Deck to begin the formatting process. Then, press the "Steam" button located under the left touchpad to open the Steam menu.

Step 2. Navigate to "Settings" from the Steam menu and press A to select it. From the settings menu, choose "System" and press A to open it.

Step 3. Within the System menu, you'll find the "Format SD Card" option. Select it by pressing A, and you'll be asked to confirm the formatting process.

Step 4. The formatting process will take a few minutes, depending on the size of your SD card and the data it contains. Once complete the process of format SDcard Steam Deck desktop, you'll be ready to download and store games on your Steam Deck using the newly formatted SD card.

Conclusion

We hope this article has clarified the best SD card format for your Steam Deck and provided helpful steps on how to format SD card for Steam Deck on PC. Storage limitations on the Steam Deck are likely to persist, and even if Valve releases higher-storage models, they will come at a premium price. SD cards offer an affordable solution for expanding storage, and with a tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant, formatting your SD card to the required file system for the Steam Deck becomes quick and easy.