The Steam directory in EmuDeck is stored in a hidden folder you access through the file manager

When you install EmuDeck on your Steam Deck, it creates a folder structure that includes a Steam directory — this is where EmuDeck organizes emulator files, ROMs, and configuration data. The folder is not immediately visible because Steam Deck hides system folders by default. To find it, you need to open the file manager on your Steam Deck and enable the display of hidden files.

The full path to your Steam directory in EmuDeck is /home/deck/.local/share/EmuDeck. This location contains subdirectories for different emulators, ROM storage, and settings files. Understanding where this folder lives helps you back up your games, add new ROMs, or troubleshoot configuration problems.

Key Takeaways

  • The EmuDeck Steam directory is located at /home/deck/.local/share/EmuDeck and is hidden by default on your Steam Deck.
  • You must enable the display of hidden files in the file manager to see folders that start with a dot (.).
  • Inside the EmuDeck directory you will find separate folders for each emulator, ROMs, and configuration files.
  • Backing up this folder regularly protects your game saves, custom configurations, and ROM organization.

How to enable hidden files in the Steam Deck file manager

Open the file manager on your Steam Deck by pressing the Steam button, navigating to the desktop, and selecting the file manager icon. Once the file manager window opens, look for the menu button — this is usually three horizontal lines in the top-left or top-right corner of the window.

Click the menu button and look for an option labeled "Show Hidden Files" or "View Hidden Files." Toggle this setting on. Your file manager will now display all folders and files, including those that begin with a dot (.) which are system and configuration folders. These hidden folders are now visible in your directory listings.

Navigating to the EmuDeck Steam directory

With hidden files now visible, navigate to the home folder by clicking on "Home" in the left sidebar of the file manager. You should see a folder named .local — this is a hidden system folder. Double-click to open it.

Inside .local, open the share folder. Inside share, you will find the EmuDeck folder. This is your main EmuDeck directory. All emulator configurations, ROM folders, and save data are organized within this location. If you do not see an EmuDeck folder here, EmuDeck may not be installed on your system yet.

What you will find inside the EmuDeck directory

The EmuDeck folder contains several subdirectories, each serving a specific purpose. You will typically see folders named after emulators — such as dolphin (for GameCube and Wii), pcsx2 (for PlayStation 2), yuzu (for Nintendo Switch), and others depending on which emulators you have installed. Each emulator folder holds that emulator's configuration files and settings.

You will also find a roms folder, which is where your game files are stored. Inside roms, there are subfolders for each system — N64, SNES, Genesis, and so on. Additionally, there is often a saves folder that contains your game save files, and a gamelists folder that holds metadata and artwork for your games.

Backing up your EmuDeck Steam directory

Regularly backing up your EmuDeck directory protects your ROM collection, game saves, and custom emulator settings. The easiest way is to copy the entire EmuDeck folder to an external USB drive. Plug in a USB drive, open the file manager, navigate to /home/deck/.local/share/, right-click on the EmuDeck folder, and select "Copy."

Navigate to your USB drive in the file manager, right-click in an empty area, and select "Paste." Depending on the size of your ROM collection, this may take several minutes. Once complete, you have a full backup of your EmuDeck setup that you can restore if something goes wrong or if you need to reinstall EmuDeck.

Troubleshooting when the EmuDeck folder is missing

If you navigate to /home/deck/.local/share/ and do not see an EmuDeck folder, EmuDeck is not yet installed on your Steam Deck. Download EmuDeck from the official EmuDeck website and run the installation script. The script will create the entire directory structure and populate it with emulator files and default configurations.

If you have installed EmuDeck but still cannot find the folder, double-check that hidden files are enabled in your file manager. Some file managers require you to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+H to toggle hidden files on and off. Try pressing Ctrl+H while the file manager window is open, then navigate back to the .local/share directory.

Adding ROMs to your Steam directory

Once you have located the EmuDeck directory, you can add ROM files to the appropriate system folders. Navigate to /home/deck/.local/share/EmuDeck/roms/ and open the folder for the system you want to add games to — for example, the n64 folder for Nintendo 64 games. Copy your ROM files into this folder.

After adding ROMs, you may need to refresh your emulator's game list. This varies by emulator, but usually involves restarting the emulator or selecting a "Refresh" or "Rescan" option from the menu. Your newly added games should then appear in the emulator's interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my EmuDeck folders hidden by default?

Steam Deck hides system and configuration folders (those starting with a dot) to prevent accidental deletion or modification of important files. This is standard behavior on Linux-based systems. Enabling hidden file display in your file manager lets you see and manage these folders safely.

Can I move the EmuDeck directory to a different location?

You can move the EmuDeck folder to an external USB drive or SD card, but EmuDeck expects it to be in the default location. If you move it, you may need to reconfigure EmuDeck or update its settings to point to the new location. For most users, keeping it in the default location is simpler.

What happens if I delete the EmuDeck directory?

Deleting the EmuDeck directory removes all your ROMs, game saves, and emulator configurations. This is why backing up the folder regularly is important. If you accidentally delete it, you can reinstall EmuDeck and restore from your backup.

How much storage space does the EmuDeck directory typically use?

Storage size depends entirely on how many ROMs you have. The emulator files themselves take a few gigabytes, but ROM files vary widely — a single PlayStation 2 game can be 4 to 8 GB, while NES games are typically a few megabytes each. Check your folder's properties to see your current usage.

Can I access the EmuDeck directory from Windows if I connect my Steam Deck to a PC?

Yes, if you connect your Steam Deck to a Windows PC via USB and enable file transfer mode, you can browse the EmuDeck directory from Windows. However, Windows may not display hidden folders by default. Enable "Show hidden files" in Windows File Explorer settings to see the .local folder and its contents.