Steam Deck is a powerful handheld console running a custom fork of Arch Linux. With an operating system as versatile as Linux, you have the option of using the handheld as a PC by switching to desktop mode from gaming mode. Having done that, a common question that many users may have is – how do I use a keyboard and mouse on Steam Deck? Don't worry, as Valve has made sure that users can easily navigate the desktop mode using the buttons and triggers on their handheld console. So in today's article we will explain how to bring up the keyboard when using the desktop mode on Steam Deck.

In this article, we have detailed how you can use the on-screen virtual keyboard on Steam Deck while browsing on the desktop operating system. Always having a physical keyboard with you can be inconvenient, especially when you're traveling. In such cases, users can use the virtual keyboard and touch screen to type on the Steam Deck. That said, let's look at how it works:

In addition to using left and right clicks on Steam Deck, users may need to use a keyboard on Steam Deck in some cases. This can be for something as simple as typing a note or URL to complex tasks like typing a shell command in the terminal. Unfortunately, this would ideally require a physical keyboard, which is a viable option when the user is standing still. But expecting the same for a portable console when a person is on the move sounds like a hassle.

Fortunately, Valve has addressed this shortcoming by integrating a virtual keyboard into Steam Deck. Accessible via a simple shortcut, which we discuss below, the keyboard has a conventional QWERTY layout, minus the function keys and a numeric keypad, because you can only fit so much on a 7-inch screen. In addition, you can use special symbols from the number keys (available when you press Shift) and customize the appearance of the keyboard using themes.