The Tool Desk
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What you can and cannot trade on Steam
| What you want to transfer | Can you trade it? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| A game already in your library | No | Steam says you may gift new purchases, but you cannot transfer a game you already own. Steam Gifts |
| An unused extra-copy Steam Gift | Sometimes | Some qualifying promotions provide extra copies, but Steam says this does not happen in most cases. An eligible gift can be traded until it is redeemed. Extra Copies and Steam Trading |
| An opened or redeemed gift | No | Once opened and added to a library, a Steam Gift cannot be traded again. Steam Trading |
| Eligible inventory or in-game items | Yes, if tradable | Steam trade offers exchange items that can be included in the trade interface. Check each item’s inventory details for its tradability status. Steam Trade Offers |
| A new game bought for a friend | Often, subject to restrictions | Choose the gift option at checkout. The title, recipient’s ownership, regional rules, DLC requirements, or bundle restrictions may prevent gifting. Steam Gifts |
Why you can’t give away a game you already own
A Steam game in your library is a license attached to your account, not an item in your tradable inventory. Steam’s Gifts page says that gift purchases are one-time transfers after redemption and that only new purchases can be gifted—not games already owned.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Roblox Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XOVFRcBIL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$20 Nintendo eShop Gift Card [Digital Code] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Steam’s wording is: “A Steam gift purchase is a one-time transfer—after the recipient has redeemed the gift, it is now a part of his or her Steam games collection.” The recipient’s resulting library ownership does not create another transferable copy.
The limited exception: promotional extra copies
Some qualifying Steam promotions may grant extra-copy gifts. Steam says extra copies are not granted in most cases, so buying a game does not normally give you another copy to pass along. If you do have an eligible extra-copy gift, it may be traded while it remains unopened and unredeemed. Steam states: “Once a Steam Gift is opened and added to your game library, you won’t be able to trade it again.” See Steam’s Extra Copies and Steam Trading pages.
#1 Best Overall
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
How to trade eligible Steam items
- Open a trade offer. Start one from your friend’s profile or from the Trade Offers page, as described in Steam Trade Offers.
- Select the items. Add items from the inventories shown in the offer. If an item is not available to add, it cannot be included in that trade.
- Review the complete exchange. Check the other person’s identity and inspect each item and its details before accepting.
- Confirm only if the offer is exactly right. Offers can be accepted, declined, or countered. Steam warns that confirmed trades cannot be reversed, and its Item Restoration Policy says Support does not restore items lost through trades.
How to gift a new game—and what can block it
If your goal is to buy a friend a game, select the gift option during checkout and choose someone on your Friends List. The gift must be a new purchase; Steam does not provide a way to turn an owned library game into a gift.
- The recipient already owns the game: Steam may make that person unavailable to select.
- Regional restrictions: Steam shows applicable restrictions during checkout and in the gift description. The countries covered can change, so being Steam friends does not guarantee that a gift can be redeemed across regions. Check Region Restrictions on Steam.
- DLC or bundles: Some DLC requires the recipient to own the base game, and some bundles cannot be gifted.
- Title-level restrictions: Certain games do not offer gifting.
If Steam does not allow the specific game to be gifted, its Gifts help page suggests considering a Steam Gift Card. That is an alternative way to contribute toward a new purchase, not a way to transfer or trade a game you already own.
Rank #2
- Redemption: Online only. Robux cards can only be redeemed in a browser at Roblox.com/redeem. They cannot be redeemed in the Roblox mobile app or any video game console.
- Roblox is an immersive platform for connection and communication. Every day, millions of people come to Roblox to create, play, work, learn, and connect with each other in experiences built by our global community of creators.
- Get more with every Roblox Gift Card! From now on, when you redeem a Roblox gift card, you get up to 25% more Robux. Perfect for gaming, creating, and exploring- more Robux means more possibilities!
- Deck out your avatar and unlock additional perks in your favorite experiences when you use Roblox Gift Cards to purchase Robux (Roblox's virtual currency).
- Each gift card grants a free virtual item upon redemption.
Keep trades inside Steam and verify before confirming
Steam recommends keeping the full exchange in one trade offer. Do not rely on a promise to send money, Steam Wallet credit, a gift card, a CD key, or another item later; those are outside the trade offer and leave you without the protections of a completed in-offer exchange. Review Steam’s Recommended Trading Practices and Scam FAQ.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Rank #4
- XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
- DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
- GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
- MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
- PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.
Rank #3
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
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.
