Change your Steam email through Account Details
To change the email address linked to your Steam account, sign into Steam on your computer, click your account name in the top right corner, and select Account. You will see a section labeled Contact Email with your current email address displayed. Click the Change button next to it.
Steam will send a confirmation link to your current email address. Open that email and click the link to verify you own the account. This step protects your account from unauthorized changes. After you confirm, you will be taken back to Steam where you can enter your new email address and save the change.
The entire process takes a few minutes, but the confirmation email may take up to 15 minutes to arrive. If you do not see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder — confirmation emails from Steam sometimes get filtered there.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign into Steam on a computer to change your email; the mobile app does not have this option.
- Steam sends a confirmation link to your current email address before the change takes effect, so you need access to that email account.
- If you no longer have access to your old email address, you will need to contact Steam Support to verify your identity another way.
- Your new email address becomes active immediately after you confirm the change, and you can use it to sign in right away.
What happens if you cannot access your old email
If your current email address no longer works — the account is closed, you forgot the password, or you no longer have access to it — you cannot complete the email change yourself. Steam requires confirmation from your current email to prevent someone else from taking over your account.
Contact Steam Support through the Help section on the Steam website. Go to Steam Support at the bottom of any Steam page, select your account, and choose Account & Billing as the issue category. Explain that you cannot access your current email address and want to change it. Steam Support will ask you to verify your identity using information about your account — such as your purchase history, phone number on file, or other account details — before they process the change.
This verification process can take several days. Have your Steam account number ready (you can find it in your Account Details page) and be prepared to answer questions about games you own or purchases you have made.
Changing your email on the Steam mobile app
The Steam mobile app does not have an email change feature. You must use the Steam website or the Steam client on a computer to make this change. Open Steam on your computer, follow the steps in the first section, and the change will be reflected in the app once you sign out and sign back in.
If you only have access to a phone or tablet, you can use a web browser to visit steampowered.com, sign in, and follow the same Account Details steps. The process works the same way on mobile browsers as it does on a computer.
Why Steam asks for email confirmation
Steam requires you to confirm the change through your current email address because it is the most reliable way to prove you own the account. This protects you from account takeover — if someone gains access to your Steam password, they still cannot change your email without also having access to your current email account.
This two-step verification is a security measure, not a restriction. It means that if your password is compromised, your account is still protected as long as your email account is secure. If you are concerned about your account security, you can also enable Steam Guard, which requires a code from your email or phone whenever you sign in from a new device.
What to do after you change your email
Once your new email is active, update any records where you wrote down your Steam login information. If you use a password manager, update the email address there as well. Make sure you can still access the new email account — if it gets hacked or deleted later, you will have the same problem you just solved.
You do not need to change your Steam password when you change your email. Your password stays the same, and you can continue signing in with your username and password as usual. The email address is separate from your login credentials.
Recovering your account if you forget your new email
If you change your email and then forget what the new address is, you can still recover your account. Sign into Steam with your username and password — the email address is not required to sign in. Once you are signed in, go back to Account Details and you will see your current email address listed. Write it down or take a screenshot so you do not lose it again.
If you forget your password and your new email is no longer accessible, contact Steam Support. The recovery process is the same as the one described in the "What happens if you cannot access your old email" section above. Have your account number and purchase history ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email on my phone?
No, the Steam mobile app does not have an email change option. You must use a computer or a web browser on your phone to visit steampowered.com, sign in, and change it through Account Details. The process takes the same amount of time either way.
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
The confirmation email usually arrives within 15 minutes. Once you click the link in that email, the change is immediate. If the email takes longer than 30 minutes, check your spam folder or try requesting a new confirmation link.
Will changing my email affect my games or friends list?
No. Your email address is only used for account recovery and notifications. Changing it does not affect your games, friends, inventory, or anything else on your account. Everything stays exactly the same.
What if I change my email by mistake?
You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time. Go to Account Details, click Change next to Contact Email, confirm the change through your current email, and enter your old email address. The process is reversible.
Do I need to update my email with Steam games I own?
No. Games you own are tied to your Steam account, not your email address. Your email is only for account access and recovery. You do not need to notify game publishers or update anything elsewhere.