If you’re looking for a complete list ofSteam Deckhotkeys for Game Mode and Desktop Mode, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you every Steam Deck shortcut, plus how you can remap buttons and create custom Steam Deck keyboard shortcuts in Desktop Mode.

Steam Deck Game Mode Shortcuts

Let’s start with listing every Steam Deck shortcut in Game Mode. Before we delve into the list, here’s a freebie Steam Deck tip for our favoritehandheld gaming PC: you can see the entire list of Game Mode shortcuts by long pressing the “Steam” or the “Quick Access” button —the button on the left with three dots. This works anywhere in Game Mode, even when in-game.

Steam Button + Long Press B Button - Force Game Shutdown

This Steam Deck Game Mode hotkey allows you to exit any game that has no “Quit” or “Quit to Desktop” option, such as Lumines Remastered. It’s also great when a game freezes.

Steam Button + X Button - Summon Keyboard

This shortcut comes in handy when you need to enter something with akeyboardwhile in-game. For instance, when entering your character’s name after starting a new game or in a title such as Roadwarden, which includes a ton of typing.

Steam Button + L1 - Toggle Magnifier

The Steam Deck magnifier feature might not sound that helpful, but once you start a game with a brick load of tiny text, such as older RPGs like Baldur’s Gate or even a newer RPG like Disco Elysium, you’ll be thankful for havinga tool to magnify text with.

Steam Button + R1 - Take Screenshot

The good old screenshot shortcut on your Steam Deck works perfectly and is very snappy whenproducing screenshots. It also works excellently when in-game.

Steam Button + L2 - Right Mouse Click

If you don’t knowhow to right-clickon Steam Deck while in Game Mode, just press Steam Button+L2.

Steam Button + R2 Left Mouse Click

To left-click on Steam Deck while in game mode, press Steam Button+R2.

Steam Button + Right Analog Stick - Joystick Mouse

To use the right analog stick as amouse, you must hold the Steam button while moving the stick.

The same goes for using the right touchpad as amouse; in Game Mode, you must hold the Steam button while using the touchpad.

To remap steam deck keyboard bindings in Desktop mode, go to Steam Settings

Another way to left-click on Steam Deck while in Game Mode is to press the right touchpad while holding the Steam button.

Steam Button + Up on Left Analog Stick - Screen Brightness Up

Instead of summoning the Quick Access menu with the Quick Access button—the one on the right with three dots—and then having to manually set the brightness there, hold the “Steam” button and move the left analog stick upwards instead. Works great in-game.

Steam Button + Down on Left Analog Stick - Screen Brightness Down

To turn the screen brightness down, hold the Steam button and then move the left analog stick downwards.

To simulate pressing the Enter key, press right on the D-Pad while holding the Steam button.

Next, locate the Controller tab, click it, and then click on the Desktop Configuration button located to the right of the Controller tab

Holding the Steam button and pressing down on the D-Pad will simulate the Tab key.

The last Steam Deck shortcut in Game Mode is the Esc key, which you can activate by holding the Steam button and pressing left on the D-Pad.

Once in the Desktop Configuration menu, you can remap each key and assign it any mouse or keyboard button you want

Related:How to Emulate the GameCube on Your Steam Deck

Steam Deck Shortcuts in Desktop Mode

In Desktop Mode, most buttons on Steam Deck play the role of a specifickeyboardormousekey. For example, to right-click while in Desktop Mode, press the right trigger—R2. There’s no need to hold the Steam button while in Desktop Mode.

The right touchpad is your go-to mouse simulator while in Desktop Mode.

To create Custom Steam Deck Keyboard Shortcuts first open Quick Settings and then click the Shortcuts tab

You can left-click while in Desktop Mode by pressing the right touchpad on your Steam Deck. Note that sometimes, like right after you switch to Desktop Mode or launch a system-intensive app, the right touchpad can stop working for a few seconds. Don’t worry—just wait a bit, and you’ll be able to continue using the right touchpad as a mouse and for left-clicking icons and other stuff.

Right Analog Stick - As Mouse

The right analog stick on your Steam Deck can also simulate a mouse. The catch is that the accuracy is way lower than when using the right touchpad.

Right Analog Stick Press - Left Mouse Button

Pressing the right analog stick plays the role of the secondary left-click button while in Desktop Mode.

The left touchpad on your Steam Deck can be used for scrolling. Moving your finger up and down simulates vertical scrolling while swiping from left to right, and vice-versa is used for horizontal scrolling.

Once inside the Shortcuts tab, assign keyboard shortcuts to avaiable apps, functions, settings, and more. You can also add installed apps and assign different shortcuts to run those apps while in desktop mode

You can also scroll vertically if you move your mouse in circles, like back in the day on an iPod’s scroll wheel. To scroll down, circle your mouse clockwise and in the opposite direction to scroll up.

Valve decided to map the middle mouse button to the left touchpad press. Not great, but at least we have the option for a middle mouse button, which is very handy for opening and closing tabs inFirefox.

R2 - Left Mouse Click

Another way to left-click while in Desktop mode is to press the right trigger—R2.

L2 - Right Mouse Click

If you want to know how to right-click on Steam Deck while in Desktop Mode, just press the left trigger—L2.

Other Useful Shortcuts

Below you can find the rest of the Steam Deck Desktop Mode shortcuts, which are all pretty self-explanatory.

Related:How to Install Windows on Your Steam Deck

How to Remap Button Bindings on Your Deck in Desktop Mode

While the Steam Deck Desktop Mode shortcuts are mapped by default in a way to make navigating the desktop easier, you can remap each button and create a custom profile if you want.

To do this, open Steam and click on the “Settings” button.

Next, click the “Controller” tab, and once you see the controller menu press the “Desktop Configuration” button.

Once there, you can remap each and every Steam Deck button to your liking and assign it any keyboard or mouse binding you want.

How to Create Custom Steam Deck Keyboard Shortcuts

Another cool option in Desktop Mode is creating custom shortcuts that you can use to open different apps and games. For instance, you can have a Steam Deck keyboard shortcut to open Steam, the Dolphin file manager, or any other app you have installed.

To do this, open the “Quick Settings” menu and click the “Shortcuts” tab.

Once there, you can assign a custom keyboard shortcut to open any installed app. Press the “Add Application” button, select the app you want to add, and create a shortcut to launch it.

Not only that, but you may also create custom shortcuts to perform various actions in Desktop Mode. Just check each default app, option, and service listed, and you’ll find what custom keyboard shortcuts they support. For example, you can increase, decrease, or mute audio, power your Steam Deck down, make it hibernate, and much more, all with custom keyboard shortcuts. Feel free to experiment!

Related:How to Optimize Your Steam Deck for a Longer Lasting Battery