Got a Steam key but no game in your library? You need to redeem the code on the account that will own it. Here's how to activate it on your computer, phone, or Steam Deck, and what to do if Steam rejects it.
Activate your key in the Steam desktop client
This adds the game license to your Steam account on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Sign in to the account that should own the game.
Open Games at the top of the client.
Select Activate a Product on Steam....
Select Agree if the subscriber agreement appears.
Enter your key under Enter your product code.
Select Confirm to activate it. Older tutorials show a wizard with Next and I Agree, but the current client uses this code-entry dialog.
Choose OK after successful activation.
For an alternative way into the same dialog, select Add a Game at the bottom left.
Select Activate a Product on Steam... to use the activation steps above.
On your phone, use browser registration
The official registration page works on iPhone, iPad, Android, and desktop browsers without installing Steam.
- 1.Open Steam's product-key registration page in your browser.
- 2.Sign in to the account that should own the game.
- 3.Enter your key in the product code field.
- 4.Select the checkbox accepting the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
- 5.Submit the form to register the key.
When a Steam key won't activate
First, check that your code is a Steam-compatible game key. A Steam Wallet code adds funds to your wallet and uses the separate wallet redemption page.
An already-redeemed key cannot be registered again. Uninstalling the game or removing access doesn't make its original key transferable.
Looking at Manage > CD keys? That menu retrieves certain third-party activation keys. For a new Steam key, open Games > Activate a Product on Steam... or use the browser registration page.
If Steam says the product code is invalid, confirm the key is meant for Steam and check look-alike characters such as 0 and O or 1 and I. If it's still rejected, contact the retailer that sold you the code.
A duplicate product code error means the key is already tied to a Steam account. If you may have registered it before, use the Steam Help Site to recover that account. If you're sure you never registered it, contact the retailer.
Redeem a key on Steam Deck
This adds the game to your account directly from Gaming Mode on Steam Deck LCD and OLED.
Press the physical STEAM button.
Open Settings.
Select Library.
Under Activate a product on Steam, select Add game beside Add to Library.
Select Agree if the subscriber agreement appears.
Enter the key under Enter your product code.
Select Confirm.
Choose OK after successful activation.
Big Picture activation with a controller
Select Enter Big Picture Mode at the top right of the desktop client.
Alternatively, press your controller's home button to enter Big Picture Mode.
Open Menu.
Choose Settings.
Go to Library.
Under Activate a product on Steam, select Add game beside Add to Library.
Select Agree if the agreement appears.
Enter your key under Enter your product code.
Select Confirm to redeem it.
Choose OK when activation succeeds.
Tip: Activation adds the game license to your account; installing it and checking device compatibility are separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I download the Steam desktop client?
Open Valve's official download page at https://store.steampowered.com/about/?l=english and select Install Steam for your operating system. Install the client, then sign in. Steam already comes with Steam Deck.
Can I open key activation through Steam's desktop settings?
Yes. Open Steam > Settings > Library. Select Activate a Product to open the code-entry dialog.
Why does my Library show an Activate a Product button?
Steam's empty-library welcome screen includes an Activate a Product button that opens the web registration form. It appears on that welcome screen, so it isn't a permanent Library toolbar control.
How do I bring up the keyboard in Steam Deck Desktop Mode?
With Steam running, press STEAM + X to open the on-screen keyboard. This supplies text input for entering your key; it doesn't activate the key by itself.