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Moving RetroDECK to a New Device

Overview

RetroDECK consists of two primary directories:

  • retrodeck/

Contains all user-generated content (ROMs, BIOS, saves, screenshots, scraped data, etc.).

This is the directory you almost always want to migrate.

  • ~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck

Contains the Flatpak core, components, and configuration files.

Migration is usually unnecessary and may cause configuration issues.

What Should You Move?

Upsides:

  • Fresh install with clean configs
  • All user content preserved
  • Minimal risk of conflicts

Downsides:

  • Custom emulator settings must be recreated

Upsides:

  • No first-time setup required
  • All emulator settings preserved

Downsides:

  • Risk of version/config conflicts
  • Controller profiles and some items may require reinstalling
  • Must match RetroDECK versions exactly

Prerequisites

  • The old device must be on the latest RetroDECK version and launched at least once.
  • Ensure adequate battery or keep the device plugged in during transfer.
  • New SD cards must be formatted to EXT4 before use.

Ultra-Quick Guide

  1. Copy the retrodeck/ directory to the new device.
  2. Install RetroDECK on the new device.
  3. During first-time setup, point RetroDECK to the transferred retrodeck/ directory.

Quick Guide: Steam Deck

  1. Switch to Desktop Mode:
    Steam Button → Power → Switch to Desktop
  2. Back up the retrodeck/ folder.
  3. Install RetroDECK via Discover on the new Steam Deck.
  4. Do not launch RetroDECK yet.
  5. Copy the retrodeck/ backup to the desired location.
  6. Launch RetroDECK and select the correct storage option (internal, SD card, or custom).

Read more:

Steam Deck: Installation and Updates

Quick Guide: Linux Desktop

  1. Back up the retrodeck/ folder.
  2. Install RetroDECK from Flathub on the new system.
  3. Do not launch RetroDECK yet.
  4. Restore the retrodeck/ folder to your chosen location.
  5. Launch RetroDECK and select the correct storage option (internal or custom).

Read more:

Linux Desktop - Installation and Updates

1. Back Up Your Files

  1. Follow the prerequisites above.
  2. Enter Desktop Mode.
  3. Open Dolphin File Manager.
  4. Navigate to your retrodeck/ installation (contains bios, roms, saves, etc.).
  5. Copy the entire folder to a transfer medium (USB drive, SD card, NAS, SFTP, Warpinator, etc.).

2. Install RetroDECK on the New Steam Deck

Follow the installation guide:

Steam Deck - Installation and Updates

3. Restore Your Files

Place the backed-up retrodeck/ directory in the desired location.
Launching RetroDECK will automatically detect your content.

1. Back Up the Required Directories

Back up retrodeck/

Follow the same steps as in the recommended guide.

Back up ~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck

  1. Open your home directory.
  2. Enable hidden files (Ctrl+H or the hamburger menu).
  3. Navigate to ~/.var/app/.
  4. Copy the entire net.retrodeck.retrodeck folder to your transfer medium.

2. Install RetroDECK on the New Steam Deck

Install via Discover but do not launch RetroDECK.

Read more:

Steam Deck - Installation and Updates

3. Restore Your Backups

Replace both:

  • retrodeck/
  • ~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck

Overwrite when prompted. Launch RetroDECK; all settings and content should be restored.

Reminder: Reinstall official controller profiles and other optional components via the configurator.