This guide is for anyone who has started following free-to-keep promotions on Steam, and for those who have claimed a few but occasionally find that a game they "definitely clicked" never showed up in their library. By the end you will know how to claim a game from a web browser, the desktop client and the Steam mobile app, how to verify that the license is really on your account, and where to look when a claim fails.
A free-to-keep promotion means a game is offered at zero cost for a limited window. If you add it to your account before the deadline, it stays in your library permanently, even after the price returns to normal. That is very different from a free weekend or a demo, both of which come with time or content limits. Mixing these up is the single most common reason people think they claimed something when they did not.
Three Checks Before You Click
Spending ten seconds on these points avoids most misunderstandings:
- The button label: a genuine free-to-keep offer usually shows an "Add to Account" button in the purchase area, often with a note that the game is yours to keep if claimed before a certain time. If you see "Play Game" or "Download Demo" instead, it is not a free-to-keep offer.
- The deadline: Steam converts promotion end times to your local time zone, but it is still wise not to leave things until the last hour.
- Your login state: on the website, your account name should appear in the top corner. Otherwise the button will send you to a sign-in page first.
Method 1: The Steam Website
This is the most straightforward route and the one most people use the first time.
- Open the game's Steam store page in a browser and confirm you are signed in.
- Scroll to the purchase area and find the free offer with the "Add to Account" button.
- Click "Add to Account". A confirmation dialog or notice will appear.
- If you are offered an install option, you can skip it. The game is already yours; install whenever you like.
- Refresh the store page. If the purchase area now indicates the game is in your library, you are done.
The web route needs no software, so it works on any computer. If you use a shared or work machine, remember to sign out afterward.
Method 2: The Desktop Client
The store inside the Steam client is essentially the same store in a different window, so the steps are almost identical.
- Open the Steam client, click "Store" and search for the game.
- On the store page, click "Add to Account" in the purchase area.
- The client will usually open an install dialog. Install now, or cancel; the game stays in your library either way.
- Switch to the "Library" tab and search for the game in the left-hand list. If it is listed, the claim worked.
The advantage here is instant confirmation, and if you plan to play right away you can claim and install in one go.
Method 3: The Steam Mobile App
When you see a promotion while away from your PC, the official Steam mobile app is the quickest way to grab it. Besides Steam Guard and chat, it lets you browse the store.
- Open the Steam app and make sure you are signed in.
- Go to the store section and search for the game, or open a store link you received elsewhere.
- Scroll to the purchase area and tap "Add to Account".
- Once you see the confirmation, you are finished. Download it later from your PC.
The mobile layout changes between app versions, so the button may sit in a different spot than on desktop, but the label is normally the same. If you cannot find it, open the Steam store website in your phone's browser instead. Check Steam's official support pages for the current rules and interface.
How to Confirm the Game Is in Your Library
After clicking, confirm with at least one of these methods, especially near the deadline:
- The store page: after a refresh, the page shows that you already own the game.
- The client library: search for the title. Even uninstalled, it appears in the list in grey text.
- Your license list: in the client's account details there is a page listing your licenses and product key activations. A free-to-keep claim appears there as a license with the date you acquired it. This is the most reliable proof.
If none of these show the game, the claim did not go through. Work through the list below.
Common Mistakes
Confusing a free weekend with free-to-keep
During a free weekend the button usually says "Play Game". You can download and play, but once the event ends the game locks again unless you buy it. Our article on the difference between free games and free weekends (Five Kinds of "Free" on Steam) covers this in detail.
Downloading the demo instead
Some store pages offer both a demo and the full game. If you clicked "Download Demo", your library will contain a separate entry with "Demo" in its name, and the full game will not be there.
The promotion has already ended
Every promotion has a firm end time, and once it passes the button reverts to a normal purchase button. Publishers and Steam can also change or end promotions early. There is no way to claim retroactively.
Regional restrictions
Some games are not sold in certain regions, and some promotions only apply to specific regions. If the store page says the item is unavailable in your region, the offer does not cover your store region. Do not try to bypass this with a VPN or by changing your store country; doing so may break Steam's terms and put your account at risk.
Account limitations
New accounts that have not spent money on Steam have certain features restricted, and accounts with other issues may face further limits. Claiming free games is normally unaffected, but if you cannot add a game, check your account status through Steam Support. Check Steam's official support pages for the current rules.
Wishlisting by accident
The "Add to your Wishlist" button looks different from "Add to Account", but in a hurry it is easy to hit the wrong one. A wishlist entry is just a reminder; it does not give you the game.
How Our Free Games Page Helps
The SteamFreePlay free games page (Free Games) lists games that are currently free to keep on Steam. We filter out titles that are always free-to-play, free weekends and demos, keeping only offers where claiming the game means owning it. Each listing shows the deadline and links to the official Steam store page so you can claim it yourself.
The site has no account features and never claims anything on your behalf; every claim happens on Steam's own pages. If you missed a promotion, our history page (Free-Game History) shows which games have been free before, which can help you spot patterns.
Build a Simple Habit
Promotions run on no fixed schedule. Some last a day or two, others more than a week. The most dependable approach is to check the free games page every few days and claim immediately when something appears, rather than telling yourself you will do it later. Claiming does not require installing and uses no disk space, so many long-time players simply grab everything and decide later what to play.
It is also worth turning on the Steam Guard mobile authenticator. The bigger your library grows, the more your account is worth, and the more its security matters.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to install the game right after claiming it?
No. Once you click "Add to Account" before the deadline, the license is attached to your account. You can find and install the game from your library at any time.
Q: Can a free-to-keep game be taken away later?
Under normal circumstances a game added this way stays in your library. In rare cases, such as a game being delisted, the store page may disappear, but existing owners can usually still download it from their library. Check Steam's official support pages for how such cases are handled.
Q: Can I claim on my phone and play on my PC?
Yes. The license belongs to your account, not to the device you clicked on. Sign in to the same account on your PC and the game will be in your library.
Q: What does a "Play Game" button mean?
It usually means the game is free-to-play by design or is running a free weekend. It is not a free-to-keep offer. Look for a deadline and a "keep it forever" note on the page if you are unsure.
Q: Why can my friend see the button when I cannot?
The most common causes are a different store region or the promotion having already ended in your time zone. Your browser may also be showing a cached page; refresh, or open the same store page in the desktop client and try again.