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What Is a Steam Wallet and How Does It Work?

A Steam Wallet is prepaid account balance for eligible Steam purchases. Learn how direct funding and gift codes work, plus the key transfer and refund limits.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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A Steam Wallet is prepaid value attached to your Steam account. You can add funds directly or redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code, then use the balance for eligible purchases on Steam. It is not a bank account: Valve says Wallet funds have no cash value outside Steam and generally cannot be transferred or withdrawn.

What is a Steam Wallet?

Valve describes the Steam Wallet as a prepaid balance associated with your account, used to order eligible Steam content and services. It is neither a bank account nor a general-purpose payment instrument. The balance is tied to the account and is not cash you can spend elsewhere. Steam Subscriber Agreement, section 3.C

What can I buy with Steam Wallet funds?

Wallet funds can pay for eligible Steam purchases, including games and supported in-game transactions. Valve’s agreement also covers eligible subscriptions and hardware purchased through Steam. The exact items available depend on the transaction and Steam’s current terms. Steam Add Funds Steam Subscriber Agreement

Purchases on the Steam Community Market are subject to its marketplace terms. Any fee is disclosed before a marketplace transaction is completed; marketplace proceeds should not be treated as cash that can be withdrawn. Steam Community Market Steam Subscriber Agreement

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How do I add money to my Steam Wallet?

  1. Sign in to Steam and open the Add Funds page.
  2. Choose an amount and payment option shown for your account and region.
  3. Review the order details and complete checkout. Once the transaction is completed, the funds are added to your Steam Wallet.

The amounts, currencies, and payment methods offered can differ by region and account, so use the options displayed at checkout rather than assuming a particular amount or method is available everywhere.

How do I redeem a Steam Wallet code?

  1. Sign in to the Steam account where you want the balance credited.
  2. Open Steam’s Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code page and enter the code, following the on-screen instructions.
  3. After redemption, the value is converted into the currency of that account’s Steam Wallet, regardless of where the code was purchased.

Steam Gift Cards are available as digital gifts sent through Steam and as physical cards. A physical Steam gift card can be given to someone to redeem, while a digital gift card is delivered through Steam. Check the seller, denomination, region terms, and authenticity when buying a physical card. Steam Gift Cards Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code

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  • When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
  • This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
  • Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
  • This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.

Direct funding or a gift card: which should I use?

Route How it works What to keep in mind
Direct account funding You choose an offered amount and payment option on Steam’s Add Funds page; the resulting balance goes to your account. Available amounts, currency, and payment methods depend on your account and region. Steam Add Funds
Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code You obtain a code and redeem it while signed in; the value is credited to that Steam account. Gift cards may be digital or physical. On redemption, the value converts to the account Wallet’s currency. Steam Gift Cards Wallet Code redemption

Can I transfer Steam Wallet funds to a friend?

No. Wallet funds are associated with the account and cannot be transferred between users under Valve’s Subscriber Agreement. To give someone Steam purchasing value, use a Steam Gift Card rather than adding funds to your own account with the expectation that you can send the balance later. Steam Subscriber Agreement Steam Gift Cards

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Can I get my Steam Wallet money back?

Valve’s agreement says added Wallet funds are generally non-refundable and non-transferable, but it also points to the separate Steam Refund Policy and preserves applicable statutory rights. Refund eligibility therefore depends on the purchase, the policy, and any rights that apply where you live; do not assume that unused Wallet balance can simply be cashed out. Check the Steam Refund Policy and the current Subscriber Agreement.

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Valve’s agreement also sets an aggregate limit: the Wallet balance stored plus the amount spent from it in the same 24-hour period may not exceed US$2,000 or the local-currency equivalent. Valve says limits may change, so consult the live agreement for the current rule. Steam Subscriber Agreement

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  • Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
  • When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
  • This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
  • Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
  • This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
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Visa Virtual eGift Card
  • Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
  • When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
  • This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
  • Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
  • This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.

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.

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