[GUIDE] Install SteamOS in Xbox Ally X (XAX)

[carlos_max_x]

Documentation:

- SteamOS install official site here: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/65B4-2AA3-5F37-4227

- SteamOS official news page where you can find details of each version for channels (Stable, Beta, Preview and Main).

https://www.steamdeck.com/en/news

SteamOS image that NEEDS to be used for Xbox Ally X (XAX):

https://steamdeck-images.steamos.cloud/steamdeck/20251027.1000/steamdeck-repair-main-20251027.1000-3.8.0.img.zip

Installation:

[IMPORTANT] Firmwares (BIOS) of XAX needs to be updated to latest version before installation.

1. Prepare SteamOS install usb flash drive as per official procedures with rufus and steamdeck-repair-main-20251027.1000-3.8.0.img.zip.

2. Keep charger connected to XAX during the whole process.

3. Turn Secure Boot off; Restart XAX while powering up, hold volume down button to get to the BIOS -> Advanced (controller Y button) -> navigate to Security -> Secure Boot set to Disabled -> Save & Exit.

4. Plug in SteamOS install usb flash drive into the XAX port that's available (via adapter if needed).

5. Restart into XAX BIOS again -> select Boot menu option -> select the SteamOS install usb flash drive -> takes a while... "The screen will go dark while it's booting, give it a minute".

6. On SteamOS installer desktop choose complete wipe and install icon/program > Full/complete wipe with/via the SteamOS install process.

7. After installing the 3.8.0 Main branch image and loading into it, before selecting a language/timezone and connecting to the internet, press Ctrl + Alt + F4 with a keyboard to open a terminal window, type deck and press enter, then type steamos-session-select plasma and press enter to load into Desktop mode.

8. In Desktop mode, you can now connect to the internet, then load up Steam and just log in. The Steam client will update, but this is just the client and not SteamOS.

9. Return to gaming mode, and you should land on the SteamOS home screen, bypassing the auto update during the setup, then you can go into the settings to change the branch from Main to Beta and install the 3.8.6 Beta.

[IMPORTANT]

1. Review that SteamOS is set to use Beta OS Channel and update to 3.8.6 or foward, these are the only releases that are working for all versions of XAX.

2. Update to latest official beta release.

3. Only set OS Channel to Beta, I don't recommend to set Steam Client to Beta due to it's more unstable.

That would be all to install SteamOS in XAX.

Special thanks to matte-schwartz, PresidentBacons from GitHub.

[2ko]

I always get the bootloop when installing to xax after updating. On the base Xbox ally there were no problems..

[carlos_max_x]

Originally posted by 2ko:

I always get the bootloop when installing to xax after updating. On the base Xbox ally there were no problems..

Try to check if you're using the latest firmware (BIOS) version the XAX has, confirm that you're using the correct SteamOS repair image version from the guide and try to unplug the USB after installation was completed.

[Lethos]

Thank you!

[Sesollopo]

I have tried many many versions on my XAX and I manage to install 3.8 (not 3.8.2 as it results in bootloop), but after I change the channel or do any update it will get into a bootloop again :(

[First_Hour]

Can anyone link to a guide on how to actually set up the USB? The guide here says to use Rufus but I'm totally new and don't really know what that is.

[carlos_max_x]

Originally posted by First_Hour:

Can anyone link to a guide on how to actually set up the USB? The guide here says to use Rufus but I'm totally new and don't really know what that is.

You can check the first part of this video:

https://youtu.be/2g7AqATi-Qc?si=4ZOfxAiU64XGzjvv

[Balek Baldwin]

Thx, it good for me !

[Bl0nd1n]

Works fine for me, thanks a million