This guide explains how to enable and use SSH on your Steam Deck for remote access to its files. The Steam Deck's desktop mode allows for more than gaming, and SSH provides secure remote access.

Enabling SSH on the Steam Deck

Follow these steps:

1. Power on your Steam Deck.
2. Access the Steam menu (Steam button).
3. Navigate to Settings > System > System Settings > Enable Developer Mode.
4. Access the Steam menu again (Steam button).
5. Select Power > Switch to Desktop Mode.
6. Open Konsole from the Start menu.
7. Set a password (if not already set): passwd. Enter and confirm your chosen password.
8. Start the SSH service: sudo systemctl start sshd.
9. Enable SSH to start automatically on reboot: sudo systemctl enable sshd.
10. You can now connect to your Steam Deck remotely using an SSH client.

Important: Avoid modifying or deleting system files to prevent OS corruption.

Disabling SSH on the Steam Deck

To disable SSH:

1. Open Konsole from the Start menu.
2. To disable SSH on reboot: sudo systemctl disable sshd.
3. To immediately stop the SSH service: sudo systemctl stop sshd.

Connecting to the Steam Deck via SSH

Once SSH is enabled, use a third-party SSH client. Warpinator is a user-friendly option; install it on both your Steam Deck and your other device, then launch both simultaneously for easy file transfer.

For Linux users, simply use your file manager and enter sftp://deck@steamdeck in the address bar, then provide the password you set earlier.