Where Does RetroDECK Store ROMs and Saves?
RetroDECK keeps roms, bios, saves, and states in one portable retrodeck folder, with app config in its Flatpak dir.
Last updated
RetroDECK splits into two roots with different jobs. The retrodeck data folder holds everything personal: roms, bios, saves, states, screenshots, mods, and ES-DE data. The Flatpak folder under .var holds the app core and component configs.
Moves only need the data folder, which the new install adopts at first launch. The location is your choice at setup: home internal, SD card root, or a custom path. Only roms merge across drives under the storage manager; saves and bios always stay home.
Where RetroDECK stores this, by platform
~/retrodeck
Portable data root with roms, bios, saves, states, and ES-DE subfolders. Copy this whole tree for moves and backups.
~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck
Flatpak core, caches, and component configs. Leave it behind on moves; the new install rebuilds it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move RetroDECK to a new Steam Deck?
Copy the whole retrodeck folder to the new machine, install RetroDECK there, and point first setup at the copied folder. Saves, states, and scraped media travel together.
Should I also copy the Flatpak folder?
No. Back up only the retrodeck data folder. The Flatpak dir holds install specific config that the new install regenerates itself.
Where does the retrodeck folder live?
Internal, SD card, or custom, chosen at setup. SD installs live under the card mount while the Flatpak core always stays internal.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.