In this way, if you have bought a game compatible with Steam in some other third-party digital store, you will not have problems incorporating that title into your catalog on the Valve platform.
First, we are going to start by talking to you about the product keys compatible with Steam and mentioning some of the stores where you can buy games that you can later redeem. Then we will go directly to explain you step by step the game activation process once you have the key in your hand.
Therefore, knowing how to activate games on Steam with product keys is the first step to open the doors of the platform and allow you to buy games in external stores as long as they are later compatible with Steam. This compatibility is usually specified in text or marked with a logo, that is, make sure before buying.
You only need the Steam app on your mobile
The first and essential step before explaining how to redeem codes is to review what this Steam app has on Android. The design in general already reminds us a lot of its computer version, with the typical black and blue colors of the brand. On the other hand, the interface itself is quite simple, keeping essential aspects about buying titles and interacting with friends.
That way, we can access the store directly, as well as find new friends and chat with those already added. We also have access to the groups and the different communities for each game, just as we can take a look at the library with all our purchased games. Finally, we have available the Steam Guard function, one of the most prominent of the application, focused on user safety and that we will explain more extensively below.
How to activate Steam Guard via mobile
It is also possible to receive the Steam Guard security code via mobile to add an extra level of security to our Steam account. To do this, the first thing we have to do is download and install the Steam application on our phone.
Once installed on the mobile, we launch the app and identify ourselves with our Steam account. Next, we touch on the menu that is shown in the upper left part and select the option Steam guard. Now we select Add authenticator and then we add a phone number from which we can confirm through a text message. If at any time we forget access to our Steam account, we can recover it by requesting that they send us a message to that number.
Steam will send us a message with a code to that number and it will be the one we have to indicate in the app. Once entered, a recovery code that we must write down and keep in a safe place. As soon as the mobile authenticator has been successfully activated, we are shown a unique Steam Guard code that will be updated periodically. When we log into Steam we will be asked to enter this code.
In this way, we will be adding another level of security to our Steam account thanks to Steam Guard, either through mail or through our mobile phone, and we will prevent anyone from accessing our account from an unknown device, even if they have our Steam credentials.
Why a product key?
Steam is a platform that has become popular not only for its wide catalog of titles available in its digital store, but also for its continuous and long-awaited sales in which it throws the prices of some games. However, that is not to say that Steam prices are always the best.
In recent times, platforms such as Humble Bundle, IndieGala or similar are gaining popularity, in which games are sold in a perfectly legal way in batches that make them much more attractive. These games often come without DRM, you can install them without having them on any digital platform, but they also give you the option to redeem them on Steam adding them to your profile using a code or product key.
Redeem codes from the Steam app …
There is a hidden option to redeem codes in your Steam app, but unfortunately, it only applies to wallet recharges and prepaid cards. This means that you will not redeem game codes through the app to download them when you get home, but with prepaid codes it is entirely possible. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Steam app.
- Choose “Store” on the menu.
- Choose “Account details»In the Store drop-down menu.
- About your wallet balance, under the title Shopping and store history, there is a link that says «+ Add funds to your Steam wallet“, Click here.
- Below your current Wallet balance, there is a link that says «Redeem a Steam gift card or Wallet code“, Click here.
- Enter your code in the box and click Continue.
- The process should be finished, and the prepaid card should be applied to your Wallet Balance.
… Or you can redeem game codes from the browser
Okay, now you want to redeem a game key. If you want to redeem a game key, you cannot do it through the option mentioned above, in fact you cannot use the app to do it at all. Instead, you will log into Steam through your mobile browser and redeem the code online. That is how…
- Open this link in your mobile browser
- Log into your Steam account using your Steam app to authenticate
- Enter the code in the box provided and click Continue
- You should be done and your game should be added to your game library
