Handheld Edition Installation

CachyOS provides an Edition for handheld devices, like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go. This Edition offers a SteamOS-like experience with Game Mode Switching, pre-installed Gaming Applications, and more.

The Handheld Edition employs the LAVD scheduler as the default CPU scheduler, optimized for handheld devices. This results in improved frame rates and battery life during gaming.

The Handheld Edition uses systemd-boot as the boot manager. Boot manager selection is not available as opposed to the default CachyOS ISO. This is intended to simplify the installation process.

Installation on Root

1. Download the latest Handheld ISO from the website/forum.

2. Flash the ISO.

3. Boot into the ISO.

4. Click the Launch Installer Button.

5. Calamares will now open. Follow the on-screen instructions.

6. At the partition step, please use the Erase Disk option. If you come from another Linux distribution which probably uses a different partition layout. Be aware that the replace partition option can be problematic and might not work as expected.

7. Install the System.

After the installation is completed. Calamares will prompt you to reboot the device.

The first boot can take a bit of time, since Steam is getting downloaded and started. This process can take up to 2 minutes.

Installation with Dual Boot

1. Download the latest Handheld ISO from the website/forum.

2. Flash the ISO.

3. Boot into the ISO.

4. Click the Launch Installer Button.

5. Calamares will now open. Follow the on-screen instructions.

6. At the partition step you need to select Manual Partition and create following partitions:

   • 2GB /boot
   • XGB / (X can be any number of storage space you wish to allocate to the root filesystem)

7. Proceed with the steps and install the system.

After the installation is completed. Calamares will prompt you to reboot the device.

The first boot can take a bit of time, since Steam is getting downloaded and started. This process can take up to 2 minutes.