The Steam Deck trackpads provide haptic feedback when the player uses the pads. The trackpads are on the left and right sides of the handheld console, and they can react to the pressure being used on the right and left triggers.
Steam Deck: How To Play Games On A TV/Monitor
The Steam Deck can be docked like a Switch; here's how to connect it to a TV and Monitor.
They allow users to move the cursor more easily on the screen, and the feedback lets the player know that the feature is being used, providing a more satisfying sense of touch when being used. When active, the user will often feel the haptics responding when powering on the Steam Deck.
Updated December 18, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn: The Steam Deck has haptic feedback, and even though it doesn't have the power and intensity of a PS5 controller, users can make adjustments to the features and customize the feel for specific games and overall experience. This guide includes updated links to other Steam Deck interesting article links for users and updated steps for adjusting haptics.
Customizing Haptics On The Steam Deck
Not every player enjoys the feeling of feedback provided by the haptics on the device. Steam Deck users can customize or disable haptic feedback for the touchpads and when using certain buttons. Use the following steps to control the behavior of haptics on the Steam Deck hardware:
Enabling Or Disabling Haptics
- Power on the Steam Deck
- Highlight and select the Controller option.
- Switch on Steam Haptics.
- Highlight and select Calibration & Advanced Settings.
- Now, highlight and select the Haptics Settings option.
- In the Haptics Settings menu, players can switch the haptics on or off and increase or decrease the intensity for the left and right sides of the Steam Deck.
- Players can also switch off the Game Rumble in this menu.
Adjusting Haptics In Games
The haptics settings can be changed for individual games using the following steps:
- Select the desired game.
- Before starting the game, select the Controller icon on the right-hand side.
- Scroll down and highlight Right Trackpad Behavior.
- Select the cogwheel icon.
- Scroll down, highlight, and select the Haptics option.
- Now, users can choose the intensity of the haptic feedback from low, medium, and high. Or they can switch it off completely.
Other Factors Where Haptic Feedback Kicks In
The Steam Deck's haptic feedback feature doesn't just affect the touchpads. They will react accordingly when users adjust the triggers on their Steam Deck. The console's soft and full pull measure the pressure the player presses the LT and RT buttons. To modify the trigger sensitivity, use the following steps:
- Select the desired game.
- Before starting the game, select the Controller icon on the right-hand side.
- Highlight and select Edit Layout.
- On the side menu, highlight the Triggers option.
The customization extends to the PlayStation 5 controller feedback, but to function correctly, Steam Deck users must switch the Steam Haptics slider to off. Steam Deck haptics work with PS5 remote play on the Steam Deck.
From here, players can customize the way the trigger buttons behave in games on an individual basis. It's a welcome feature for players who enjoy single and multiplayer shooting games. This only works on one account. Multiple users on the Steam Deck must customize the settings to their liking.
The Steam Deck is available now from the official Steam Store.
Steam Deck
- Screen
- 7" diagonal 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio) 60Hz
- Storage
- 64 GB - 512 GB
- CPU
- AMD APU Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz
- Battery
- 40Whr battery. 2 - 8 hours of gameplay
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.0 and Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Ports
- 1x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, 1x USB 3.2,1x Micro SD slot, 1x 3.5 audio jack
- Dimensions
- 298mm x 117mm x 49mm
- Weight
- Approx. 669 grams
- Audio
- Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience and Dual Microphone Array