Install native Elgato Stream Deck Software (6.1.0)
Elgato Stream Deck software is available here
Turn On Elgato Plugin within Companion
- Within Companion, navigate to Settings > Devices and select the checkbox “Use Elgato Plugin for StreamDeck access (Requires Companion restart)”
- This will enable Companion to operate via the native Elgato application plugin.
Add the Companion Plugin to your native Elgato Stream Deck software
- Open the Stream Deck Store
- Search for “Companion”.
- Install the Companion plugin.
Back up your own Stream Deck Profiles
If you are already using Elgato’s Stream Deck software, make sure you back up your work first!- Go to the Stream Deck Icon in the top-right menu bar
- Select “Preferences” (Command + ,), then “Profiles”.
- To the right of the “+/-” symbols, select the dropdown menu.
- Go Backup All > Create Backup…
- Save the file to a safe folder.
Install the bonus Stream Deck Profiles
- FULL RESTORE
- Go to the Stream Deck Icon in the top-right menu bar
- Select “Preferences” (Command + “,”), then “Profiles”.
- To the right of the “+/-” symbols, select the dropdown menu.
- Go Backup All > Restore From Backup…
- Select the file ending in “.streamDeckProfilesBackup” to restore a full backup
- INDIVIDUAL PAGE RESTORE
- Alternatively, if you don’t want to overwrite your existing setup, you can import individual pages.
- Go to the Stream Deck Icon in the top-right menu bar
- Select “Preferences” (Command + “,”), then “Profiles”.
- To the right of the “+/-” symbols, select the dropdown menu.
- Select “Import…”
- Find the individual profile ending with “.streamDeckProfile”
- Note that when importing individual Stream Deck Profiles, the “profile jump” buttons will need to be manually re-linked to the appropriate profile (by contrast, these links will remain intact if “restoring a full backup” instead).
Creating Companion buttons on your Stream Deck Profile
- You can also build your own Elgato Stream Deck profile pages in conjunction with Companion.
- From the right sidebar, again Search “Companion”
- Drag the “Companion button” to each of the Stream Deck’s keys
- “Dynamic” vs Static pages/buttons:
- By default, dragging a Companion button on to Stream Deck will create a Dynamic Button.
- Not modifying the default Dynamic button is recommended, as it will update the function as you navigate through the Companion Profile, however:
- “Static” buttons:
- If you want a dedicated Companion button that does not change when the Companion surface does, choose the specific Page and Button number (as found in your Companion software)
Simultaneously running Elgato Stream Deck software and Companion’s server
- You can now mix native Stream Deck buttons into your Elgato Stream Deck’s Companion profile page
- Button #9 in the DJF Companion Profile (the 1st button on the 2nd row of every page) has been reserved across all Companion pages. When running Companion solo, this button will jump between profiles within Companion.
- However, if you are also running native Stream Deck software, Button #9 will now switch between your Stream Deck profiles (yes- all these names get confusing!!). This is to allow you to create a dedicated Stream Deck button to switch to other native Elgato Stream Deck profiles you may have.
- If using this option, you’ll have to use Button #22 on the Menu page to switch between different Companion Profiles (i.e. to jump between controlling the ATEM Pro vs Extreme).
- It’s recommended to leave all other buttons on the profile as the default “Dynamic” state, so that Companion will dynamically update them
Troubleshooting
- Note that as of Companion version 2.2.0+, you cannot separate multiple Stream Deck Surfaces when using Elgato’s software. This is because it’s now mandatory under Companion > Settings > Devices to select the checkbox “Use Elgato Plugin for StreamDeck access (Requires Companion restart)” to operate Companion via the native Elgato application. Therefore, all Stream Deck hardware (32-button, 15-button, and Mobile App) is routed through the “plugin” surface in Companion, and a change on one surface will sync changes on the other surfaces.
- In this instance, if you want to use multiple Stream Decks as independent surfaces, it is best to quit Elgato’s native software entirely, and only run the Stream Decks via the Companion software.