Baldur's Gate 3 — Steam Deck Native Version FAQ Overview With the release of Hotfix #34, Steam Deck installs a native version of Baldur’s Gate 3. Native version is optimized to use less CPU and memory compared to the Proton compatibility layer version. How to Verify or Switch Steam Deck Native Version Verify Native Version Installation Go to Baldur’s Gate 3 Steam page. Click Settings → Properties. Open the Compatibility tab. Check Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. Select any version with Linux Runtime. Update game if prompted. Switch Back to Proton Version Follow same steps to reach Compatibility tab. Tick Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. Select Proton version 8 or higher. Allow the game to update. --- Differences Between Native and Proton Versions Proton Version: Runs via compatibility layer, uses more CPU. Native Version: Runs directly on Steam Deck OS, more efficient resource usage. Linux Support: Larian does not provide Linux support. Native build is only for Steam Deck. --- Savegames Save Locations Before native version (using Proton): /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1086940/pfx/drivec/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public After native version activation: /home/deck/.local/share/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/PlayerProfiles/Public Why Different Locations? Proton uses a Windows-like file system (compatdata folder). Native version uses native SteamOS file system. Save Transfer If Steam Cloud is enabled, saves sync automatically to native folder. If not: Switch to Desktop Mode (Steam button → Power → Switch to Desktop). Use file explorer. Copy saves folder from Proton location to native location. Optionally delete old Proton saves to save space. --- Mods Transfer Mods Automatically Mods linked to your Larian Account via mod.io are auto-downloaded when switching to native version. Manual Transfer If not connected to mod.io: Switch to Desktop Mode. Open file explorer. Copy Mods folder from Proton folder: /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1086940/pfx/drivec/users/steamuser/AppData/Local/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3 Paste into native location: /home/deck/.local/share/Larian Studios/Baldur's Gate 3/ --- Additional Information Sharing & Support Share FAQ on Facebook and Twitter via provided links. Supported platform: PC, specifically Steam Deck. Larian Social Media & Contacts Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, Steam Hub, Discord active for updates and help. Official contact emails for support and business are provided on website footer. --- Summary: The Steam Deck native version of Baldur's Gate 3 offers better performance on the device by running natively on SteamOS. Players can verify or switch versions via Steam properties. Save files and mods have different locations between Proton and native versions, with options for automatic sync or manual file copying. Linux support is not provided outside Steam Deck.