# Enable SSH transfer on Steam Deck

**URL:** <https://forum.hhf.technology/t/enable-ssh-transfer-on-steam-deck/214>\
**Category:** Off-topic\
**Tags:** steam-deck\
**Created:** [October 16, 2024, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.hhf.technology/t/enable-ssh-transfer-on-steam-deck/214 "2024-10-16T05:13:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hhf.technoloy](https://forum.hhf.technology/user_avatar/forum.hhf.technology/hhf.technoloy/32/68_2.png) [@hhf.technoloy](https://forum.hhf.technology/u/hhf.technoloy)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2024, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.hhf.technology/t/enable-ssh-transfer-on-steam-deck/214/1 "2024-10-16T05:13:37Z")

</div>

# Enable SSH transfer

Connect a keyboard to your Steam deck for easier setup.

## 1. Access Konsole terminal

1. Switch to Desktop Mode: `Steam-Button -> Power -> Switch to Desktop`
2. Open up the Konsole Terminal: `Bottom-Left Button -> System -> Konsole`  
_ **Tip** : Add Konsole to desktop for easy access._

### 1.1 Set up a password for your Steam Deck

**IMPORTANT** _Use a password that you will **never** forget. If you lose it you will most likely have to reset your Steam Deck._

Open the Konsole terminal and enter the following command:

```
passwd

```

You will be asked to enter and confirm a password. The input is hidden so make sure you type it correctly.

This will let you protect your Steam Deck after enabling SSH on the system. You will be asked to enter this password when you want to make administrator changes in desktop mode as well as when connecting wirelessly to the Steam Deck.

### 1.2 Enable SSH (Secure Shell) on Steam Deck

In Konsole terminal, enable the SSH background program by entering the following:

```
sudo systemctl enable sshd --now

```

You will be asked to enter your password.

_The command to disable SSH is:_

```
sudo systemctl disable sshd --now

```

### 1.3 Note down your Steam Deck IP address

In Konsole terminal, enter the following:

```
ip addr | grep wlan0 | grep inet

```

The result will look something like:

```
inet 192.168.1.10 brd ...

```

Note down the IP address shown directly after `inet` , in this case `192.168.1.10`

## 2. Download FileZilla

- [Download FileZilla client](https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client)
- Follow the installation instructions for your OS.
- Launch FileZilla

### 2.1 Add the Steam Deck connection

Click “Open site manager” in top left corner.

1. Click new site
2. Enter a name for the new connection; I chose `Steam Deck`
3. Select `SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol` in the _Protocol_ dropdown.
  - Enter the IP address you found in the previous section in the _Host_ field

4. Select `Ask for password` in the _Logon Type_ dropdown.
  - The default username for the Steam Deck is `deck`. This should be entered in the _User_ field unless you have changed the username.

5. Click connect  

You now have full access to the Steam Deck file system.

### 2.2 Navigating FileZilla

- The top box (_green_) will show you the status of your connection as well as a log of the actions you are performing.
- The left box (_blue_) is the file system of your PC. You don’t really need to use this.
- The right box (_orange_) is the file system of your Steam Deck.
  - **Moving or deleting important Steam Deck system files could be harmful to the system. Only move files that you are currently transferring**  

I suggest dragging and dropping files directly from your PC’s explorer / finder into the folders in the _orange_ box.

Double-click the `..` At the very top of the orange box to traverse the file system one layer backwards.

After connecting to the Steam Deck and in order access the location of my SD card I need to:

1. Double-click `..` twice
2. Double-click the `run` folder
3. Double-click the `media` folder
4. The `media` folder contains my Sandisk SD card.