How To Install Discord On Steam Deck

Introduction

Welcome to the world of gaming on the Steam Deck, the highly anticipated handheld gaming device from Valve. With its powerful hardware and the ability to run a variety of operating systems, the Steam Deck opens up a whole new world of possibilities for gamers. One essential app that every gamer needs is Discord, the popular communication platform that allows players to connect, chat, and coordinate while gaming.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Discord on your Steam Deck. Whether you want to chat with friends, join gaming communities, or simply stay connected while gaming on the go, having Discord on your Steam Deck will enhance your gaming experience.

Before we get started, it is important to note that the Steam Deck runs on its own operating system, called Steam Deck OS. Although it is based on Linux, it is not compatible with all Linux software. However, we have a workaround that will allow us to install Discord on the Steam Deck using Flatpak, a package manager that simplifies the installation of Linux applications.

So, let’s dive in and learn how to bring Discord to your Steam Deck, enabling you to communicate and connect with fellow gamers effortlessly.

Step 1: Accessing Steam Deck Operating System

Before we can begin the process of installing Discord on your Steam Deck, we need to access the Steam Deck operating system. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start by turning on your Steam Deck and navigating to the main menu.
2. Click on the “Settings” option, represented by a gear icon. This will open the settings menu.
3. In the settings menu, scroll down and find the “System” tab. Click on it to access the system settings.
4. Within the system settings, you will see an option called “OS Selection.” Click on it to choose the operating system you want to use.
5. Since we want to install Discord, select “Steam Deck OS” as the operating system.
6. Once you have selected the Steam Deck OS, you will be prompted to reboot your device. Confirm the reboot to apply the changes.
7. After the reboot, your Steam Deck will boot into the Steam Deck operating system.

Now that we have successfully accessed the Steam Deck operating system, we can move on to the next step of installing Discord. Keep in mind that Discord is not natively supported on the Steam Deck OS, but we will use Flatpak to install it, as mentioned earlier.

Step 2: Opening Steam Deck Terminal

In order to install Discord on your Steam Deck, we need to open the terminal. The terminal is a powerful tool that allows us to run commands and perform various tasks on the operating system. Follow the steps below to open the Steam Deck terminal:

1. On your Steam Deck, locate the “Applications” menu on the dock at the bottom of the screen. It is represented by a grid of squares.
2. Click on the “Applications” menu to open it, and then click on the “Terminal” icon. This will launch the terminal application.
3. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T to open the terminal directly.

Once the terminal window is open, you are ready to proceed with the installation of Discord. The terminal will allow us to run the necessary commands to install and configure Discord on the Steam Deck. Now, let’s move on to the next step and install Flatpak, the package manager we mentioned earlier, which will enable us to install Discord on the Steam Deck OS.

Step 3: Installing Flatpak Package Manager

In order to install Discord on your Steam Deck, we need to first install Flatpak, a package manager that simplifies the installation process of Linux applications. Follow the steps below to install Flatpak on your Steam Deck:

1. Open the terminal on your Steam Deck by following the steps mentioned in the previous section.
2. In the terminal window, type the following command: sudo apt update and press Enter. This command will update the system’s package lists.
3. After the update process is complete, type the following command: sudo apt install flatpak and press Enter. This command will install Flatpak on your Steam Deck.
4. During the installation process, you will be prompted to enter your password. Enter your password and press Enter to proceed with the installation.
5. Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Flatpak is installed by running the command flatpak --version in the terminal. This command will display the version number of Flatpak if it is installed successfully.

With Flatpak successfully installed, we are now ready to proceed to the next step of installing Discord on the Steam Deck. The Flatpak package manager will allow us to easily install and manage Discord as well as other Linux applications on your Steam Deck OS.

Step 4: Installing Discord

Now that we have the Flatpak package manager installed on our Steam Deck, we can proceed with the installation of Discord. Here’s how you can install Discord using Flatpak:

1. Open the terminal on your Steam Deck by following the steps mentioned earlier.
2. In the terminal window, paste the following command and press Enter: flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord. This command will initiate the installation of Discord.
3. You will be prompted to confirm the installation by typing y and pressing Enter.
4. Flatpak will then download and install Discord on your Steam Deck.
5. Once the installation is complete, you can launch Discord by running the following command in the terminal: flatpak run com.discordapp.Discord.

Now, Discord should be successfully installed and ready to use on your Steam Deck. You can start chatting, connecting, and gaming with your friends and gaming communities while on the go.

It’s important to note that Flatpak will automatically handle updates for installed applications, including Discord. So, you can be assured that you will have the latest version of Discord installed on your Steam Deck.

With Discord installed, let’s move on to the next step and learn how to launch Discord on your Steam Deck.

Step 5: Launching Discord on Steam Deck

Now that you have successfully installed Discord on your Steam Deck, it’s time to launch the application and start connecting with fellow gamers. Follow these steps to launch Discord on your Steam Deck:

1. Open the terminal on your Steam Deck by following the steps mentioned in the earlier section.
2. Type the following command in the terminal: flatpak run com.discordapp.Discord and press Enter.
3. The Discord application will now launch on your Steam Deck.

Once Discord is launched, you will be prompted to log in to your Discord account or create a new one if you don’t have an account. Enter your credentials to log in and gain access to the various features Discord offers.

From the Discord application on your Steam Deck, you can join servers, chat with friends, participate in voice chats, and stay connected with the gaming community. The Steam Deck’s portability ensures that you can access Discord while on the go, allowing you to coordinate with your team or stay connected with your gaming friends no matter where you are.

Now that you have successfully launched Discord on your Steam Deck, let’s dive into the next step and explore how to customize the Discord settings to enhance your gaming experience.

Step 6: Customizing Discord Settings on Steam Deck

Discord offers a range of customization options to enhance your gaming experience on the Steam Deck. Let’s explore how you can customize the Discord settings:

1. In the Discord application on your Steam Deck, click on the gear icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open up the User Settings.
2. From the User Settings menu, you can customize various aspects of Discord, such as Appearance, Notifications, Voice & Video settings, and Keybinds.
3. Under the Appearance section, you can choose different themes, adjust font size, enable/disable Compact mode, and more. Explore the options to find what suits your preferences.
4. Notifications allow you to control how you receive alerts and notifications from Discord. You can customize settings for sound, desktop notifications, and mobile push notifications.
5. If you frequently use voice and video features on Discord, you can fine-tune your settings in the Voice & Video section. Adjust options like microphone input, speaker output, and video quality to optimize your communication experience.
6. The Keybinds section allows you to set up custom keyboard shortcuts for different actions within Discord. This can help streamline your workflow and make it more efficient.
7. Explore other sections in the User Settings menu to discover more customization options such as Privacy & Safety, Connections, and Authorized Apps.

By customizing the Discord settings on your Steam Deck, you can tailor the application to your specific needs and preferences, creating an optimal gaming communication experience.

Now that you have familiarized yourself with customizing Discord settings on your Steam Deck, let’s move on to the next section, where we’ll discuss some common troubleshooting techniques in case you encounter any issues with Discord on your Steam Deck.

Step 7: Troubleshooting Common Issues

While Discord is a reliable communication platform, you may encounter some common issues while using it on your Steam Deck. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve these issues:

1. Connection Issues: If you are experiencing connection problems, first check your internet connection. Ensure that you have a stable and reliable internet connection. You can also try restarting your Steam Deck or resetting your router to resolve any connectivity issues.
2. Audio Problems: If you are facing audio-related issues such as low volume or no sound, check your Steam Deck’s audio settings and make sure the correct audio output device is selected. Additionally, check your Discord settings to ensure the microphone and speaker settings are configured correctly.
3. Crashes or Freezes: If Discord crashes or freezes on your Steam Deck, make sure you have the latest version of Discord installed. You can also try clearing the Discord cache or reinstalling the application to resolve any software glitches.
4. No Notifications: If you are not receiving notifications for messages or call alerts, make sure the “Notifications” settings in Discord are enabled. Also, check your Steam Deck’s notification settings to ensure they are not blocking Discord notifications.
5. Compatibility Issues: If you encounter compatibility issues between Discord and other applications on your Steam Deck, check for any updates for both Discord and the conflicting applications. Updating the applications to their latest versions often resolves compatibility problems.
6. Server Connection Problems: If you are unable to connect to specific servers or experiencing lag while using Discord, it could be a server-side issue. Try connecting to a different server or contact the server administrators for assistance.

If you encounter any other issues or difficulties while using Discord on your Steam Deck, it is recommended to visit the Discord Support website or reach out to their customer support for further assistance.

By troubleshooting common issues that may arise while using Discord on your Steam Deck, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free gaming communication experience.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Discord on your Steam Deck and are now ready to enhance your gaming experience through seamless communication with friends and gaming communities. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you accessed the Steam Deck operating system, opened the Steam Deck terminal, installed the Flatpak package manager, and installed Discord on your Steam Deck.

Discord provides a platform for gamers to connect, chat, coordinate, and stay updated with the gaming community while on the go. With its customization options, you can personalize your Discord experience on the Steam Deck, ensuring it fits your needs and preferences perfectly.

Remember, if you encounter any issues while using Discord on your Steam Deck, you can refer to the troubleshooting tips provided in this guide or seek further assistance from the Discord Support team.

We hope this guide has been helpful in guiding you through the process of installing and customizing Discord on your Steam Deck. Now, unleash the full potential of your Steam Deck and enjoy gaming with seamless communication using Discord.

Happy gaming!