A recent update to the beta software branch for the Steam Deck has introduced a new feature: access to the Notes app. This tool is a nifty, though often overlooked, feature in Steam that lets you jot down anything from game objectives to hints or random thoughts in a simple text field. What makes it particularly handy is that these notes are saved on a per-game basis. So, if you’re a PC gamer who already has notes for games, they will seamlessly sync with your Steam Deck and vice versa.
Finding your notes on the Steam Deck is a breeze. When you’re immersed in a game, just hit the Steam button, and you’ll spot “Notes” a few clicks above the “Exit game” option. This is where you can not only view existing notes but also add new ones. Additionally, they’re accessible at the bottom of game details pages for any titles you own.
In the broader Steam ecosystem, notes are part of a suite of tools, including Game Recording, which you can easily access on a PC by pressing Shift + Tab. While you can pin notes to your game screen for quick reference on a PC, sadly, this feature isn’t available on the Steam Deck. Outside of game time, any notes you’ve taken can be easily found next to your screenshots and achievements on each game’s page.
At the moment, this feature isn’t part of the stable software release on the Steam Deck. To give it a whirl, you’ll need to enable beta software in the system settings of your console. The silver lining is that switching between beta and stable is hassle-free and won’t affect your game saves, installations, notes, or any other data. So, if you encounter any bugs, you can swiftly revert to the stable version without a hitch.
