No—you can’t transfer a game that’s already in your Steam library to someone else. To give someone a game, buy a new copy as a gift for an eligible Steam friend. If Steam won’t let you gift that title, Steam recommends sending a digital Steam Gift Card so the recipient can buy it with their Wallet funds.
Can you gift a game already in your Steam library?
No. Steam gifts apply to new purchases, not games you already own. Buying the game again on your account generally won’t create an extra copy to give away. Steam says extra copies are provided only with certain four-packs and some limited-time promotions, so check the terms for the specific purchase.
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$500 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery | $500.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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How to buy a Steam game as a gift
- Add the game to your cart and choose This is a gift.
- Select the recipient from your Steam Friends List.
- Choose whether to deliver the gift now or schedule it for later. Steam says you can schedule delivery up to 12 months in advance.
- Complete payment. After the recipient redeems the gift, it becomes part of their Steam games collection as a one-time transfer.
Steam’s gift instructions explain the purchase and delivery process.
Why the gift option may be unavailable
Steam may not offer gifting for a title or recipient for several reasons:
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
- The recipient already owns the game.
- The title cannot be gifted.
- The recipient does not own the base game required for the DLC.
- The bundle is customized for your account or purchase.
- Regional restrictions prevent the recipient from redeeming the gift.
Some multipacks cannot be sent as a whole, although certain packs include extra copies intended for friends. Check the game’s store page and checkout details for the particular purchase. Steam notes that territory restrictions may be shown on the store page and may not be changed by Support.
Check regional eligibility before paying
For a gift going to another country, check the countries where it can be redeemed in Steam’s checkout disclosure. Steam says eligible countries can change. Do not use a VPN or proxy to disguise your location to redeem a restricted gift; Steam says that violates its terms and can lead to account restrictions. See Steam’s regional gift restrictions information.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
What to do if you can’t gift the exact game
Steam recommends a digital Steam Gift Card as an alternative. The recipient redeems the card to add funds to their Steam Wallet, then chooses the game or add-on to buy. This gives them spending funds; it does not transfer or guarantee a specific game.
| Option | What the recipient gets | When it may suit |
|---|---|---|
| Buy the game as a gift | The specific eligible game, added to the recipient’s account after redemption. | You want to choose the game and Steam allows that purchase for the recipient. |
| Send a digital Steam Gift Card | Steam Wallet funds the recipient can use toward a game or add-on. | The direct gift option is unavailable, or you want the recipient to choose what to buy. |
Acceptance, cancellation, and ownership
The recipient must accept a delivered gift within 30 days. If they take no action within that period, Steam automatically cancels it and refunds the original payment method. When accepted, the game is added to the account that redeemed it. Steam also says a gift can be removed from the recipient’s library after a fraud-related refund or payment dispute.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
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- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
