Steam Deck SSD Replacement: Get it Done in 20 Minutes!

Are you struggling to fit your game library on your beloved Steam Deck? Fear not, we have the solution! Check out our comprehensive SSD upgrade guide covering everything from the installation of a new M2 SSD all the way to flashing the new SSD with Steam OS.

Her are some links that will help you through this process:

How to enable battery storage mode

Steam OS download page

Rufus

Most of the tools you need are in our Pro Tech Toolkit!

Buy a SSD on iFixit!

Stay Organized with our FixMat

Chapters
00:00 Intro and Tools Required
00:29 Warning and Tips
00:37 Setting up Steam Deck for Repair
01:01 Back Cover Removal
01:53 MotherBoard Cover Removal
02:12 Battery Disconnection and SSD Removal
02:51 Reassembly Begins
02:57 SSD Installation and Connecting Battery
02:07 MotherBoard Cover Installation
03:21 Back Cover Installation
03:39 Loading New OS on to SSD and Recovery Process

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[wintersoldier]

To avoid people giving themselves a heart attack like I almost did I want people to know YOU MUST PLUG YOUR STEAM DECK INTO POWER to turn it on again AFTER PUTTING IT IN BATTERY STORAGE MODE! You did not just break your deck!

[shadowzephyrX]

Few things to add:
- 0:29 honestly no need to reduce the battery to 25% if you know what you're doing
- 1:14 should mention use Philips #1 screwdriver
- 1:53 not need to completely remove the foil cover, only pull it just enough to access the screw. Later can easily put it back
- 2:03 should mention use Philips #0 screwdriver to take out the cover
- 2:30 can simply slide the shielding off the SSD and insert it to the new one, since SSD is generally same size
- 4:59 should mention to plug in the charger first to turn on the Steam Deck since previously set as Battery Storage mode

[jefe]

*IMPORTANT*
If yours doesn’t say gpt and says mbr your fine it doesn’t matter as long as it’s properly formatted to fat 32 your fine. Also if you get stuck on the steam reinstallation update for hours and it keeps reinstalling and saying error it might be downloading multiple updates so be patient and keep doing it until it automatically reboots itself. Now if you don’t get that outcome and you got an installation stuck at 1second before finishing and stays there for a while try switching to a different internet or switch from 5g to 2 and if not that try a hot spot and then retry the installation and it should completely finish and reboot. I wish this was included I had to find this out on my own. I hope this helps

[NexXxus]

There is no need to peel the shielding open, you just slide it off the SSD!

[biggusotongus]

Props to Valve for making the deck easily upgradeable like this. As easy as adding an SSD to a gaming laptop!

[karmalaylaa]

To anyone this may concern, if you’re having issues with installing the steam OS software through the usb-c you can also install the software onto a micro SD card and install it that way. I was having trouble turning my steam deck on with the usb-c insert into it. (It only went into turned on and went into boot manager when the battery charger was plugged in). Figured I’d let anyone who was having this same problem know!

[lukehudek]

Snapping the shell on the 64gb version was a BRUTAL pain even with the right tools. Do not panic on how hard it is to remove those plastic clips

[LucaCorsini]

done this after following this video :)
as people said to exit battery mode you must connect the charger
Valve suggest to go at least below 80% to enter safely in battery mode (that is because Lithium batteries survive better at storage if not fully charged)
the SSD foil not always slides in, Sabrent SSDs for example are thicker and in that case it must be opened.
my deck booted back now let's see if steamos reinstalls :D
update: everything is fine

[seandongaming]

Huge thank you to you and everyone in the comments made my life a lot easier love you guys

[nichtspieler]

Successfully upgraded from 64 GB to 1 TB. Great tutorial! I could even slip the shield of and on the Sabrent 2230 M.2.

[malcolmar]

Very well done! Thank you. For powering on issues after you are done, remember when you put your Deck in battery save mode you have to plug your Deck into a power adapter to turn on.

I went from a 64 GB Steam Deck to a 1 TB Steam Deck, throw in my 1 TB micro SD card and I now I have 2 TB of gaming on the go. Actually with the 64 GB of online memory I was not able to fully utilize my 1 TB micro SD card and now I can.

The Steam Deck has to be one of the best values in video gaming and the fact that Valve actually made it user friendly to work on is the icing on an already good cake.

[aadr]

This was a triumph. I'm writing a note here: Huge success.

[lukehudek]

- 4:59 should mention to plug in the charger first to turn on the Steam Deck since previously set as Battery Storage mode

[liviiblahblah]

Had no idea you had to adapt the new ssd with steamOS. Was literally crying and panicking at wasting so much money for a 2tb ssd only for it to not work when I put it in. Not a lot of tutorials mention the software part when talking about the installation of a new ssd, or at least the ones the youtube algorithm recommended, so thank you so much for the tutorial including the entire set up process!

[ClydapusGotwald]

Would be nice to add that when rebooting it when you are all done, it can lose all button functions besides the touch screen and it will have to connect to internet to update it to fix the issue.

[Maccaroney]

Thanks for the video!
I just performed the surgery on my Deck and it was a success!

[benbutterfield]

This worked great for me thank you. Didn't have to flash new Steam OS on - Steam Deck started some sort of minimal KDE interface that prompted me to download and install it - very nice and easy.

[YooJosie]

Just upgraded my steam deck following your tutorial! Super easy to follow along, thank you!!

[alexchinchilla]

Just did install with 2tb SSD following your instructions and it worked perfectly, did run into same issue other ppl have formatting sd card and it not saying GPT but MBR. I tried this before and had no luck, the missing component was Rufus! But ya no issues, thank you!

[willieetcheto]

Great guide, worked like a charm. 1TB model now baby! Thanks guys