---
title: Handheld Edition
description: How to install CachyOS on Handheld Devices
---

import { Steps, Tabs, TabItem } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

CachyOS provides an edition for handheld devices, such as 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, which is optimized for handheld devices. This results in improved frame rates and battery life during gaming.

The Handheld Edition uses `limine` as the boot manager with automatic snapshots. `systemd-boot` is also available as an alternative option.

:::note[KDE Plasma is the only supported desktop environment for the Handheld Edition.]
:::

## Installation on Root

<Steps>

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

2. [Flash](/installation/installation_prepare) 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, it may have been using a different partition layout. Be aware that the replace partition option can be problematic and might not work as expected.

7. Install the System.

</Steps>

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

<Steps>

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

2. [Flash](/installation/installation_prepare) 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 the following partitions depending on your boot manager:

    A boot partition:
    <Tabs>
    <TabItem label='Limine'>
    - ##### Size: At least **4096 MiB**
    - ##### Filesystem: **FAT32**
    - ##### Mount point: **/boot**
    - ##### Flags: **boot**
    A root partition:
    - ##### Size: At least **20000 MiB**
    - ##### Filesystem: **BTRFS**
    - ##### Mount point: **/**
    - ##### Flags:
    </TabItem>
    <TabItem label='systemd-boot'>
    - ##### Size: At least **2048 MiB**
    - ##### Filesystem: **FAT32**
    - ##### Mount point: **/boot**
    - ##### Flags: **boot**
    A root partition:
    - ##### Size: At least **20000 MiB**
    - ##### Filesystem: **BTRFS**
    - ##### Mount point: **/**
    - ##### Flags:
    </TabItem>
    </Tabs>
7. Proceed with the steps and install the system.

</Steps>

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.
