How To Bring Up Keyboard On Steam Deck Desktop Mode

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The Steam Deck is a great handheld device that you can use to play your favorite games. In fact, you can easily download all of your games that are available within the Steam client itself or even those that are exclusive to other stores and launchers. While the device itself has buttons, thumbsticks, and triggers that you would normally use to play your games, there are times when it becomes necessary to make use of a keyboard.

However, the problem now arises because the virtual keyboard for Steam Deck doesn’t show up right away whenever you need it. This can be very annoying, especially when you are traveling.

When you are in the Game Mode, you will not have this problem. In Game Mode, where there is a need for a Keyboard, it will appear right away. But things go sideways in Desktop Mode. The Keyboard will not appear until you open it manually using the assigned buttons (mentioned below). So if you’re wondering how you can enable virtual keyboard on the Steam Deck, you have come to the right place.

The Steam Deck uses a virtual keyboard for input. Also, you can easily customize the virtual keyboard. But first, let’s show you how to use keyboard on your Steam Deck in Desktop mode.

How To Bring Up The Keyboard On Steam Deck

The most simple and easiest way to bring up the virtual keyboard on your Steam Deck in Desktop Mode is by pressing the Steam and X buttons together on your Steam Deck.

How To Bring Up Keyboard On Steam Deck

Now that you know what the buttons are for launching the keyboard on your Steam Deck, let’s take a look at some of the other keyboard shortcuts that can be handy for you.

Steam and D-Pad Left Button: This button functionality lets you mimic the Escape button that you would usually have on your keyboard. You can use these buttons instead of bringing up the keyboard and tapping on the Escape button.

Steam and D-Pad Right Button: When you use this key combination, this function mimics the Enter button key on your keyboard.

Steam and D-Pad Down button: When you use this button combination, it mimics the functionality of the Tab key on your keyboard. With this button combination, you can easily and quickly move through various text fields.

Customize The Steam Deck Virtual Keyboard

You can also customize the virtual keyboard on the Steam Deck by making use of various themes. These themes are for purchase or free install via the Discover app on Steam Deck. Here are the steps:

  1. Enable Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck by pressing the Power option and choosing Desktop Mode.
  2. On the main screen of the Steam Deck, search and launch the Discover app.
  3. The Discover app has a blue shopping bag icon.
  4. Simply search for your favorite theme or keyboard style, make the purchase if necessary, and install it to your Steam Deck.

Closing Thoughts

This concludes everything you need to know with regard to bringing up the virtual keyboard on your Steam Deck in Desktop Mode as well as exploring various virtual keyboard customization options. If you have questions or queries, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

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AUTHOR.

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Joshua D'souza

Enjoy games, 90's hip-hop, and tech. Loves exploring the infinite world of laptops and food. Every ready to provide assistance in anything that rocks his boat. Will gladly enjoy capturing memories through various lenses. Worked previously at PiunikaWeb as an author and researcher.

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