Redeem A Steam Code | How to Activate a Key on Steam

Once you've purchased a game or a Steam Gift Card at Startselect, all that's left is to redeem and activate the product on Steam. You can do this on desktop, and via the Steam app. Simply follow our step-by-step guide, and you'll be back to gaming in no time!

You can easily activate your Steam key on Desktop via the official Steam launcher, which you probably already use to play Steam games on PC. Follow these steps to redeem your Steam key on Desktop:

Open the Steam launcher on your desktop.
Go to “View my wallet”.
Select “Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code”.
Enter your Steam Gift Card code and click on “Continue”.

You can also redeem the code via the official Steam website.

Redeem your key on Steam using the app

You can also activate your Steam key via the official Steam app, available on Android and iOS. Here’s how to activate your Steam key in the Steam app:

Launch the Steam app on your phone.
Tap “Wallet” in the top menu.
Tap “Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code”.
Enter your Steam Gift Card code and tap on “Continue”.

The 3 best tips when activating your steam key

Want to make sure you can activate your Steam key without any issues? Here are some Steam redemption tips to help you get back to your favorite Steam games as fast as possible.

Tip 1: Be aware of currency locks

It is important to know that Steam Gift Cards are currency locked. This means that you can only redeem Steam codes that are issued in the same currency as the currency of your Steam account. You can view the currency of your Steam account in the top right corner of your account.

To ensure you’re buying a Steam Gift Card for the correct country, always check the country flag icon in the top right of our website. If you’re in the wrong region, you can change it by clicking on the same icon.

Tip 2: Enter your code correctly

Make sure you enter your code correctly to make the redemption process seamless. A Steam gift card code always consists of 15 characters, a random combination of letters and numbers.

Your Steam key should look like this:

XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Tip 3: Watch out for scams and phishing

Never share your code with others via email, social media, or non-official Steam websites. Only redeem your Steam code on the official Steam website to ensure your account remains secure.

Still have some questions about our Steam redemption instructions? We've answered several frequently asked questions about activating a code on Steam in the section below.

What can I do when I can't activate my code?

Having trouble redeeming your code? Please make sure that the currency of your Steam key is the same as the currency of your Steam account and that you’ve entered your 15-character code correctly. If you still encounter issues with the redemption of your Steam key, please contact our customer service team. We’re always happy to help!

Can I activate a code purchased in another country?

Yes, technically you can activate a code purchased in another country, as long as the currency of the card you purchased is the same as the currency of your Steam account. If this is not the case, you won’t be able to activate your Steam key.

Is there a limit to how many Steam keys I can redeem?

Yes, the Steam Wallet balance is restricted to $2000 (or a value close to $2000 in other currencies), which means you can’t redeem Steam keys that would put you over that limit. You may also encounter a cooldown period when entering multiple codes, although this cooldown period usually expires after an hour.

Recommended for you:

New games releases 2026: date schedule

Will 2026 be a good year for gaming? Definitely! From creative RPGs to thrilling shooters: there’s something for every gamer to enjoy in 2026. We’ve collected all the games releasing this year. Pick your favourites and mark your calendar so you’re ready to play when your games release.

EA FC Pro Open 26: schedule, prizes and more

EA Sports FC Pro Open 26 is already on its way! Want to know when to watch the top matches and what players to look out for? From schedules to prizes: we’ve listed everything you need to know about FC Pro Open 26.

When is the next Steam Sale?

Looking for some discounts on great games? A Steam Sale is just the place for you! The gaming platform Steam has several sales with amazing discounts every year. We will tell you when the next Steam Sale is and everything you need to know.

Continue

Your country selection will ensure that we offer the correct products and payment methods. Please ensure that it corresponds to your country and to the account(s) on which you are planning to redeem the product.

How to redeem and activate a key on Steam

Redeem your Steam code on Desktop