How to Pull Up the Keyboard on a Steam Deck: Desktop & Gaming Mode

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A quick tutorial for opening the Steam Deck keyboard

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: August 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using Desktop Mode
|
• Using Gaming Mode
|
• Customizing Your Keyboard
|
• Alternatives to a Virtual Keyboard
|
• Keyboards That Work with Steam Deck
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• Video
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Wondering how to access the keyboard on your Steam Deck? Fortunately, SteamOS automatically opens the on-screen keyboard if you have your cursor in a text field. Otherwise, press a few buttons to get the keyboard to show. This wikiHow article teaches you how to access the Steam Deck keyboard as well as how to customize it.

Using the Keyboard on Steam Deck

• Press A if there's a search or text field on the page, or press and hold the Steam button and X buttons at the same time for both Gaming and Desktop Mode.
• Go to the Points Shop on Steam to get new keyboard themes.
• Customize your keyboard in Settings > Keyboard.
• You can use Bluetooth keyboards or a USB-C hub to plug in USB keyboards.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Accessing the Keyboard in Desktop Mode

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1. 
   Press and hold the STEAM button and the X buttons simultaneously. Pressed at the same time, these buttons will open the on-screen keyboard.

   • Unlike in Gaming Mode, where the keyboard sometimes won't appear, you can get the keyboard to open on any screen in Desktop Mode. Just make sure the Steam app is running so the shortcut using the Steam button works.
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Section 2 of 5:

Accessing the Keyboard in Gaming Mode

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1. 
   1
   Open an app that supports the keyboard. Because the keyboard usually opens automatically, you don't have to worry about opening it yourself. However, it doesn't appear on all screens in Gaming Mode (like the Settings page), so you might want to know how to get to it.

   • Apps with a search bar or text field are good apps to open for this.
2. 
   2
   Press and hold the A button. If there's a text field available on the page, pressing A will activate the on-screen keyboard.

   • Alternatively, press and hold the Steam button and press X.
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Section 3 of 5:

Customizing Your Keyboard

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1. 
   1
   Press the STEAM button on your Steam Deck. You can also visit the Points Shop on Steam using your computer, but it's not as seamless as using the Steam Deck.
2. 
   2
   Go to Settings and select Keyboard. The "Keyboard" menu option is in the menu on the left with an icon of a keyboard.
3. 
   3
   Select Visit the Points Shop. It's to the right of "Find More Keyboard Themes."

   • Skip going to the Points Shop if you already have another keyboard theme that you want to use.
4. 
   4
   Find a theme you want and download it. Simply tap on one to download it.

   • Once you have a theme, you can apply it immediately or change it from Settings > Keyboard > Current Keyboard Theme.
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Section 4 of 5:

Alternatives to a Virtual Keyboard

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1. 
   Use a physical keyboard if the virtual one doesn't work for you. Steam Deck doesn't have any extra USB ports for you to plug in USB devices, but you can use any keyboard that has Bluetooth to connect to the Deck!

   • Alternatively, you can get a USB-C dock or hub that allows you to plug in USB devices if your favorite keyboard uses USB.

Section 5 of 5:

Keyboards That Work with Steam Deck

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1. 
   1
   Bluetooth All keyboards with Bluetooth will work with your Steam Deck, but what are your top options? Here are some good Bluetooth keyboards that work well with Steam Deck:

   • OMOTON Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
   • DeckTop - Steam Deck Keyboard
   • iClever Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
2. 
   2
   USB keyboards with a USB Hub Your Steam Deck only has 1 USB port, and you might want to use it for charging instead. So you can charge your Steam Deck and use a USB keyboard at the same time, purchase a USB-C Hub that works with Steam Deck. Once you have the hub, you can use keyboards that connect with USB.
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Tips

• Steam Deck won't turn on? This wikiHow article has a few troubleshooting steps that you can try.
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• Learn how to right-click on a Steam Deck using this wikiHow article.
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