How to activate the game using the steam key. Correct activation of the game in Steam
Many of us use the Steam game client, which provides access to many popular games. The download of games with Steam often takes place using an electronic key, while having received such a key, the user sometimes does not know how to work with it, and where it can be activated. This material is intended to help such users, in it we will tell you how to activate the key in Steam, and what is the step-by-step procedure for such activation.
What you need to know about the key in Steam?
Let me remind readers that the Steam Key is an alphanumeric code that allows you to activate any game in your Steam account. You must be the owner of such an account, and if you do not have one, then you must register and create it.
Steam does not sell keys to regular customers. You can buy such keys in various computer online stores, receive them as a gift (Gift) from another user or game developer (the latter have many free keys), purchase them from some dubious seller, and so on. In this case, the responsibility for the validity of such a key in most cases is borne by the buyer himself, and if you suddenly find in Steam a message that the key you activated earlier has been revoked, you will only have to shrug your shoulders, since it will be difficult to prove something.
Also note that when the key is activated, the latter is tied to a specific account, and it will be impossible to activate it on another account.
To view the activation status of the keys you have, it will be enough to go to “Account”, then to “About account”, and then to “Licenses and activation of keys”.
How to activate the game in Steam with a key
So, you somehow received the key for playing Steam, and you want to activate it immediately. I recommend doing the following:
We activate the key in Steam through the browser and mobile applications
Many users often ask if it is possible to activate the Steam key through a browser and a mobile phone. If earlier the possibility of activation via a browser was not available, and activation via a mobile phone (using the functionality of various mobile applications). And it did carry the danger of admitting intruders to your account (after all, the user de facto transferred the data of his account to Steam to the developers of mobile applications), now there is a completely official opportunity to activate your key through the browser.
To do this, you need to go to the activation page on the official website store.steampowered.com, enter your account data there (an account in Steam is required). And activate the product (the same link can be tried using a mobile browser). I also ask you to take into account the hypothetical changes in the Steam policy, and the possible removal of this tool in the future.
Conclusion
In this article, we examined what a key in Steam is, and what is the step-by-step algorithm for activating such a key. The activation procedure itself is performed in a rather stereotyped way, and does not pose any difficulties for an ordinary user. At the same time, I also recommend that you make sure that you purchase keys from a trusted counterparty, otherwise in one gloomy moment you may be faced with the revocation of your existing Steam key.
In addition to the standard procedure for purchasing games on Steam, it is possible to enter keys for these products. The key is a certain set of symbols, which is a kind of confirmation of the purchase of the game and is tied to only one copy of the game. Keys are usually sold at various digital game retailers. It can also be found in the disc box if you bought a physical CD of the game. Read on to find out how to redeem your game code on Steam and what to do if the key you entered is already activated.
There are several reasons why people choose to buy their game keys on Steam from third-party digital merchants rather than the store itself. As a rule, this is a better price per game or buying a real disc with a key inside. At the first such purchase of the game, many do not know what to do with the key. In fact, this is a fairly easy procedure, but provided that the key is really working and there are no problems with it.
If you do not have a key yet and do not know where to buy it on the Internet, we recommend reading a separate article on this topic at the following link.
We want to draw your attention right away: sometimes you may come across a notification about how the key will be activated. The screenshot below shows that the service says that hidden activation of the key will occur (gift link will be used) within 5 minutes. Here you do not need everything that is written below - you just need to log into your account after purchase.
Method 1: Steam Client
Most often, users want to activate through a client running on a computer, therefore, first of all, we will consider it.
However, there are situations when the digital key refuses to be activated, reporting an error. In such a situation, move on to reading the last part of this material.
Method 2: Browser
When you do not have the opportunity to activate the purchased key through the client, but you need to check its relevance right now, the browser version of the service will come to the rescue. Since this function was introduced relatively recently, the developers have not made a separate section for it, so you will have to follow a direct link. Please note that in order for it to open, you need to log in to the site in advance.
Enter or paste the copied key, check the box that you accept the Steam Subscriber License Agreement and click on "Proceed"... At the end, you will receive a notification about the activation status.
It is not yet possible to activate the key through the mobile application, but nothing prevents you from following the link above through the browser of your smartphone or tablet, having previously authorized on the site, and performing the same actions.
What to do if the purchased Steam key is already activated
The situation that has arisen often does not mean anything good. Let's analyze the order of actions that need to be taken in this situation.
As you can see, the key activation process itself is quite simple and in most cases does not cause any difficulties. However, even if the activation fails, there is a great chance that the platform or offline store where the purchase was made will resolve the situation in your favor. At the same time, you should not delay the appeal and abuse this opportunity, trying to deceive the sellers.
Everyone loves to spend time playing computer games, and many have already switched to licensed content. There are many benefits to this approach, including security, reliability, and developer support. One of the most popular sites selling licensed copies of games is Steam. Here, since 2016, you can not only buy games, but also activate them using the keys that you need to enter in a special window.
What is a key on Steam
Valve itself claims that the key function was added for the comfort of gamers and is an extremely useful task. You can buy game content not only in Steam, but also in real stores, other sites or in special online stores.
The key itself is serial number of 13, 15, 18 or 25 numbers and letters that you need to enter to get the game into your Steam library. If the user bought the game on a physical medium, then the secret combination is usually attached inside the box with the disc. If in electronic stores, then the code is either transmitted directly or sent by mail, along with a purchase notification. It is important to make sure that this key is for Steam, usually indicated on the box or in an email.
Where to get the key
The key can be obtained by purchasing content on another platform or in a real store. Also on the Internet there are many sites and shops that offer to buy games at low prices. Here, when buying, you can get the very same code that is entered into Steam.
How to activate a key in Steam
After receiving the key, it must be activated in order for the purchase to appear in the Steam game library. If the user does not have Steam, then first you will need to go to the official website of the company and download it, after which all updates will be downloaded, and then you can register.
After that, click on the button " Add game"In the lower left corner of the window and select" Activate on Steam ... "in the list that opens.
The following window will open, informing you that the purchase can be added to your library by entering a numeric code. Click " Further». 
In the next window, you will be asked to familiarize yourself with the Steam license agreement, which explains the company's trade policy and user rights. To continue click " Agree». 
The input window itself will appear. Copy the character set into the only field, or enter it manually if it is on physical media. Then click "Next". 
After the activation is completed, a window will appear informing about the successful completion of the process and the game that the user received.
What to do if the key does not fit
First you need to make sure this key is for Steam, read it again on the box or in the email. If everything is correct, then you should contact technical support the seller, if he cannot help, or refuses to help, then contact the publisher directly. The same actions should be taken if the activation has already been carried out, just first contact Steam technical support, perhaps the code has already been activated on another account - they will help to restore it.
Alternative ways of activation
You can also add the game to your library using a key through your browser by going to the Steam website. To get to the activation page, follow the link to the official website. 
Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to activate via the official mobile application on the phone, but you can do it via a mobile browser.
Key verification without activation
Sometimes you need to check which game the Steam key is attached to without activating it. This can be useful if you get an unknown digital key. To check, you need a Steam account c blocked social features, that is, without the ability to purchase goods.
You will need to do all the same steps as during normal activation, only because of the account blocking at the end, not an activation message will be displayed, but an error notification and the name of the product that was not added. Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to test this method, so we cannot guarantee its performance.
In this life hack you will learn all about activation keys in Steam, where to enter them on different platforms and devices.
The digital distributor of computer games Steam has a system of promo codes, with the help of which toys, cases, gifts are distributed, and a whole infrastructure for the sale of keys has already been created. In this article, we will not disclose the secrets for the profitable acquisition of these products, but we will consider another problem that arises from the insufficiently intuitive and complex navigation - about how how to activate the key in Steam for the game.
How to enter a key to the game in Steam?
To do this, you need to download and install the program on your computer, you can find it on the official website. Then authorize under your account and take the following steps:
1. In the topmost menu, select the "Games" tab.
2. Click on the item "Activate on Steam ...". 
3. Accept the subscriber agreement. 
4. In the field enter key and activate it in the Steam application.
This is the only way, there are no more options.
How to activate a Steam key through a browser?
On the website key activation in Steam in browsers impossible, therefore to introduce it can only be downloaded by downloading the official desktop client program in the online store and already there, following the steps described above, register the key.
How to activate a key in Steam on your phone?
Another frequent question, which still has the same answer - enter the key in Steam on the phone across Android or iOS is not possible. Perhaps this is due to the conservatism of the Germans or to increased security, but there is only one way and we have already figured it out.
Now you know where to enter the key into Steam and that this cannot be done on a smartphone or on a website, only in a computer application.
Have a good game!
Hello. Today I want to tell you about what a key in Steam is and how to activate the game in Steam. If you are not yet familiar with this service, then after reading today's article you will learn how to activate games in Steam.
First, let's see what the key is in Steam. Key- this is a special code with which the games in Steam are activated (added to the account). It is mostly 15 characters long and can contain both numbers and letters. Here is an example of a key in Steam:
As you can see, there is a hyphen every 5 characters, dividing the key into three parts. Also, the keys can be slightly longer than the previous one or have no hyphens at all. Such keys, although quite rare, sometimes come across.
Where can I get the keys? Well, for example, in many online stores you can purchase a key to a particular game (you can also buy a key in Steam itself). For a fee, of course. Also, keys can be won in daily contests, which are often held on the same online stores. In general, there are plenty of ways to get keys, the main thing is to know how to do it.
After you buy the key, you will need to activate it. Therefore, after considering what a key is in Steam, let's move on to the second topic of the article and see how to activate the game in Steam.
How to activate the game on Steam
First of all, you must have your personal account in Steam, where the game will be activated. After registration, go to any page of your account and at the top of the window, first click on the " Games"and then on the inscription" Activate on Steam ...":
Here you just need to press the button " Further"to proceed to the next step:
This window contains the so-called "Steam Subscriber Agreement", which describes various information on using Steam, your rights, and so on. Click the " I agree"to move on:
So we come to the main window, where you can activate the game in Steam. Copy the resulting key and paste it into a single text line located in the center of the window:
If the key is valid, then after pressing the " Further", You will be able to activate the game, and it will appear in your account library. Otherwise, the system will inform you that the key is invalid and that the game cannot be activated.
That seems to be all, we have done all the basic steps of activating the game in Steam. Now, to check the availability of the game in your account, go to the " Library"and find the name of this game in the list on the left:
