Buying a game key for someone else

A game key makes a straightforward present. There is nothing to wrap or post, and the recipient adds the game to their own account whenever they are ready. You place the order as normal, the code arrives with you, and you pass it on. A few details are worth confirming first, because a key that does not suit the recipient's account cannot be moved to a different one later.

Find out three things first

1. Which platform they play on. Steam, Epic, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo or another launcher. A key only works on one.
2. Which country their platform account belongs to. This matters more than where you live. If the product has a region-specific activation requirement, it is the recipient's account that has to match.
3. Whether they already own it. For downloadable content, check they own the base game on the same platform. For a new game, check they have not already bought it.

If you would rather keep it a surprise, the first and third can often be answered by looking at their public profile on the platform, or by asking someone close to them.

Choosing a listing

Our product pages compare a key's activation countries with the country you are browsing from. When buying for someone elsewhere, that comparison describes you, not them. Read the full list of countries under the notice, or choose a listing marked Activates worldwide.

The simplest route is the Region-free filter on the game keys page, which shows only keys with no country restriction. If you know the recipient's country, the Activates in filter shows every key that can be activated there.

Passing the code on

Once your order is delivered, the code appears on the confirmation page, in your confirmation email and, if you were signed in, under Account, then Orders.

• Do not activate it yourself. A redeemed key is tied to the account that redeemed it and cannot be transferred.
• Send it privately. A direct message, an email or a handwritten card are all fine. Do not post it anywhere public, including in a group chat, because whoever enters it first gets the game.
• Send the activation steps too. Our activation guides for Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and Epic can be shared with them.
• Keep your order email until they confirm the game is in their library. If anything goes wrong, the order number is what our support team needs.

Timing

You can buy ahead of time and hand the code over on the day. If you want to give it in a card, write it down carefully and double-check it against the email. Using the copy button on your order and pasting it into a message avoids typing mistakes altogether.

Refunds and gifts

Gift purchases follow the same rules as any other order. Once a code has been revealed or redeemed, it generally cannot be refunded. That is one more reason to confirm the details above before buying. Our Refund Policy sets out the conditions in full.

Not sure which listing to pick for someone? Email [email protected] with the game, their platform and their account's country, and we will point you to one that fits.