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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsNo Steam database breach was confirmed. In a statement on May 15, 2025, Valve said the alarming report about data from as many as 89 million Steam users actually concerned older SMS messages containing one-time login codes and the phone numbers that received them—not Steam account records.
Valve said the codes were valid for only 15 minutes, were already expired, and could not be used to compromise Steam accounts. You do not need to change your Steam password or phone number solely because of this incident. However, enabling the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator, using a unique password, securing your email account, and reviewing authorized devices are sensible protections for every Steam user.
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What Valve confirmed about the alleged Steam leak
Reports published on May 14–15, 2025 claimed that information involving roughly 89 million Steam users was being offered for sale on the dark web, reportedly for $5,000. That figure and the alleged sale were claims from the initial reporting, not confirmed evidence that 89 million Steam accounts had been hacked.
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Valve’s clarification was more specific: the incident was not a breach of Steam’s systems. According to Valve, the exposed material consisted of older text messages containing:
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- Steam one-time login codes; and
- the phone numbers to which those messages were sent.
Valve said the sample did not link those phone numbers to Steam accounts and did not contain Steam passwords, payment information, or other personal data associated with Steam accounts. It also said the messages could not be used to breach accounts because the codes were valid for only 15 minutes.
Valve continued investigating the source of the leaked SMS traffic. The available clarification does not establish whether a particular SMS provider, routing intermediary, cache, or other service was responsible. It also does not prove that all of the claimed 89 million records were genuine Steam-related messages.
Read the reported details of Valve’s statement.
Do you need to change your Steam password or phone number?
Not because of this incident alone. Valve explicitly said users did not need to change their Steam passwords or phone numbers as a result of the reported SMS leak.
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That advice changes if you have an individual warning sign. Change your Steam password immediately if you:
- reuse it on another website;
- entered it into a suspicious Steam-looking page;
- shared a Steam Guard code;
- received an unexpected login or security alert;
- see an unfamiliar device, purchase, trade, or inventory transfer;
- installed an unofficial Steam utility, cheat, skin, “fix,” or optimizer; or
- suspect that your email account or computer is compromised.
Use a new password that is unique to Steam. If you reused the old password elsewhere, change it on those services too.
There is also no need to remove your phone number solely because of this report. A phone number can still help with account recovery and authenticator transfers. The better upgrade is to stop relying on SMS as your primary Steam Guard method and move to the official mobile authenticator where possible.
Why Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator is the best upgrade
Steam’s own guidance identifies smartphone-based Steam Guard as the strongest of its listed options. The Steam Mobile authenticator generates changing codes, supports QR-code sign-in, and can send in-app approval notifications. The codes change every 30 seconds and can work without an internet connection if the phone’s clock is accurate.
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How to enable the authenticator
- Install the official Steam Mobile app for Android or iOS.
- Sign in to your Steam account.
- Open the Steam Guard tab.
- Select Add authenticator.
- Add and verify your phone number if Steam prompts you.
- Enter the confirmation code sent by Steam.
- Write down the recovery code shown by the app and store it somewhere safe.
Do not skip the recovery code. You may need it if you lose access to the phone or authenticator. Use Valve’s official Mobile Authenticator setup guide, rather than a third-party “Steam recovery” service.
Seven practical steps to secure your Steam account
1. Review authorized devices
Sign in through Steam and open the profile-name menu, then choose Account Details. Look for the account-security, Steam Guard, or Authorized Devices area. Review the devices with access and use Sign out everywhere or deauthorize devices if anything is unfamiliar.
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Steam’s website and client can use slightly different labels. If you cannot find the option, use Valve’s Authorized Devices page directly.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match2. Use a unique Steam password
A leaked SMS code does not reveal your Steam password, but password reuse creates a separate takeover route. Your Steam password should not be shared with your email, shopping, social-media, or other gaming accounts.
3. Secure the email account attached to Steam
Email security is part of Steam security. Someone who gains access to your email may be able to reset Steam access even without knowing your Steam password.
- Use a unique email password.
- Enable the email provider’s strongest available multifactor authentication.
- Review recent sign-ins and active sessions.
- Check forwarding rules and recovery addresses or phone numbers.
- Remove anything you do not recognize.
Steam’s account-security guidance lists email compromise, phishing, malware, exposed Steam Guard files, reused passwords, and unauthorized devices as continuing account-hijacking risks.
4. Treat unexpected messages as suspicious
Do not reply with a code, forward an SMS, or approve an unexpected mobile notification. Do not click an unfamiliar sign-in link or install software offered by someone claiming to be Steam Support.
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Steam Support and Valve employees will not ask for your password or authenticator code. Use Steam’s official guidance and visit help.steampowered.com directly instead of using links from suspicious messages.
5. Scan your computer and browser
If you clicked a fake login page or downloaded an unofficial Steam-related program, run an up-to-date malware scan. Check recently installed applications and browser extensions, remove anything suspicious, and update your operating system and browser. Malware, keyloggers, unsafe files, and malicious extensions can compromise an already authorized computer.
6. Protect trades and Market activity
Mobile Authenticator status affects Steam trade and Community Market holds. If an account has not had the authenticator enabled for at least seven days, items leaving the account may be held for up to 15 days. Those holds can provide time to notice unauthorized activity and cancel pending transactions.
Adding or removing an authenticator can also trigger trade or market restrictions. See Steam’s trade-hold documentation before making a change if you regularly trade valuable items.
7. Monitor the account for actual warning signs
Take action if you see an unknown authorized device, an unexpected Steam Guard approval request, an unfamiliar purchase or trade, missing inventory, an unrequested password or email change, or messages from someone claiming to be a Steam employee and requesting credentials or codes.
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- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
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- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
What to do if your account may actually be compromised
- Stop using any suspicious page, link, or downloaded program.
- Change the Steam password from the official Steam client or website.
- Change the password anywhere else it was reused.
- Secure the email account associated with Steam.
- Sign out everywhere and deauthorize unknown devices.
- Scan the computer and browser for malware or suspicious extensions.
- Review purchases, trades, market listings, and inventory.
- Contact Steam Support through help.steampowered.com.
Do not use a third-party “Steam employee” on Discord, Steam Chat, or another service. Valve’s official account-security recommendations are available in its compromised-account guidance.
Recovery problems and their solutions
You lost your old phone
If you still have the same phone number, your carrier may be able to issue a replacement SIM or phone so you can recover access by SMS. If both the phone and recovery code are unavailable, use Steam Support’s account-recovery process.
Your authenticator code is rejected
- Check that the phone’s date and time are set correctly.
- Confirm that the code belongs to the correct Steam account.
- Enter the newest displayed code.
- Use the code only on an official Valve domain or in the Steam client.
The authenticator relies on the phone’s clock, so an incorrect time can produce invalid codes.
You are changing phones
Install Steam Mobile on the new device, sign in, choose Move Authenticator, and confirm using the existing authenticator or SMS. Save the new recovery code. Steam’s authenticator transfer guide explains the process.
Removing the authenticator instead of transferring it can restrict trading and Community Market activity for 15 days.
The bottom line on the 89-million-account claim
Valve said Steam itself was not breached. The reported material was older SMS traffic containing phone numbers and expired one-time codes, not Steam passwords, payment details, or a confirmed database of 89 million Steam accounts. No mass password or phone-number reset is required solely because of this incident.
For stronger protection, enable Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator, save its recovery code, use a unique Steam password, secure the email account connected to Steam, review authorized devices, and treat unexpected login requests as phishing attempts. If you notice suspicious activity, follow Steam’s full compromised-account recovery steps immediately.
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