Step-by-Step Guide to Backup Your Steam Deck Data Using Deja Dup

If you’re looking to safeguard your Steam Deck data but are unsure of how to navigate SteamOS or Linux, you’ve come to the right place. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for backing up your data on the Steam Deck, making it simple and accessible.

Switching to Desktop Mode

To initiate the backup process, first switch to Desktop mode on your Steam Deck. To do this, click on the "Power" button located within the Steam Game Mode interface, and select "Switch to Desktop."

Once you’re in SteamOS Desktop mode, you will be greeted by the KDE Plasma desktop environment. Open the “Konsole” terminal application—this is essential for installing the Deja Dup backup utility on your Steam Deck.

Installing Deja Dup

To ensure successful installation, it’s important to use Flatpak, as updates to SteamOS can delete installations made through the system’s package manager (Pacman).

In the Konsole terminal, execute the following command to install Deja Dup:

flatpak install flathub org.gnome.DejaDup

Creating Your First Backup

Once installation is complete, you can now launch Deja Dup to begin backing up your data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Launch Deja Dup: Find the “Deja Dup” application (sometimes labeled “Backups”) in the KDE Plasma app menu. Click on “Create Your First Backup” to initiate the process.

2. Select What to Backup: By default, Deja Dup is set to back up everything in the “home” directory while ignoring the “Trash” and “Downloads.” If you’re not a technical expert, it’s advisable to keep these default settings and click “Forward.”

3. Choose Backup Location: Deja Dup defaults to using “Google Drive.” If you have sufficient storage, connect it. Alternatively, select a different backup location from the drop-down menu.

4. Set Backup Folder: After choosing a location, create a name for your backup folder and click “Forward.”

5. Encryption Options: On the next screen, you can opt to encrypt your backup files by entering a password. If encryption isn’t necessary, simply uncheck the "Password-protect your backup" option and hit “Forward.”

6. Start the Backup Process: Following your encryption setup (if applicable), Deja Dup will commence the backup process. The duration will depend on the amount of data on your Steam Deck.

Deja Dup will notify you when the backup is completed. Remember, regular backups are essential for maintaining the security of your Steam Deck’s data.

Restoring Your Steam Deck Data with Deja Dup

If you need to restore your data, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Deja Dup application in Desktop mode.
2. Click on the “Restore” option in the app interface.
3. The application will scan your designated backup location and retrieve the latest backup.
4. Click the menu button next to the “Find” button and choose “Select All” to include all files and folders in your restoration.
5. Finally, click the “Restore” button to begin transferring your data back to your Steam Deck.

Alternative Backup Method: Using Fwbackups

If Deja Dup doesn’t suit your needs, consider using the Fwbackups application to back up your Steam Deck data. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode: Just like before, change to Desktop mode on your Steam Deck and open the “Konsole” terminal.

2. Install Fwbackups: Using the Konsole, install Fwbackups with the command:

   flatpak install flathub com.diffingo.fwbackups

3. Initiate One-Time Backup: Open Fwbackups, then select “One-Time Backup” and click the “Add folder” button.

4. Select Backup Source: A pop-up will prompt you to choose your Steam Deck’s home directory. Select “Home” from the left sidebar and click “Open” to set the backup path to /home/deck.

5. Choose Backup Destination: Connect an external storage device, such as an SD card or USB drive, since Fwbackups does not support cloud services. Select the destination by clicking “Browse” and navigate to the mounted folder of your storage device.

6. Start Backup: Keep the default settings in Fwbackups and click “Start backup” to proceed. Once the process completes, click “Finish” to finalize the backup.

Restoring Your Data with Fwbackups

To restore data using Fwbackups, ensure your external backup medium is connected and mounted. Open Fwbackups, and follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the “Restore” section and click on it.
2. Select “source type” and choose “Local archive” to find the Tar file created during your backup.
3. After selecting the backup file, click the “Start Restore” button to restore your Steam Deck data.

With these methods, safeguarding your Steam Deck data is straightforward. Whether using Deja Dup or Fwbackups, keeping regular backups is essential to ensure data security and integrity.