How to Download EA Games on Steam: A Comprehensive Guide

Steam is one of the most popular digital distribution platforms for PC games, offering a vast catalog of games from various publishers, including EA Games. In recent years, EA has partnered with Steam to bring many of their titles, such as FIFA, Madden NFL, The Sims, Battlefield, and others, to the platform. If you’re looking to download EA games via Steam, here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

1. Install Steam on Your PC

Before you can download any EA games, you’ll first need to install the Steam client on your PC if you haven’t already.

Step 1: Go to the official Steam website: https://store.steampowered.com.
Step 2: Click the “Install Steam” button at the top right corner.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the Steam client.
Step 4: Once installed, open Steam and sign in with your Steam account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one.

2. Search for EA Games on Steam

After installing and opening Steam, you can start looking for the EA game you want to download.

Step 1: Open the Steam client and go to the Store tab.
Step 2: In the Search bar at the top right, type the name of the EA game you want to download (e.g., FIFA, The Sims, Apex Legends, etc.).
Step 3: From the search results, click on the game you want to purchase or download.

You will be directed to the game’s store page, where you can find detailed information about the game, including price, features, and system requirements.

3. Buy and Add the EA Game to Your Library

Once you've selected the EA game you want to download, you’ll need to purchase it (unless it’s free-to-play).

Step 1: On the game’s store page, click on the “Add to Cart” button.
Step 2: Review your cart and click on “Purchase for Myself” to proceed with the checkout.
Step 3: Choose your payment method and complete the purchase. Steam accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and Steam Wallet.

Once the purchase is successful, the game will automatically be added to your Steam Library.

4. Install the EA Game on Your PC

After purchasing the game, you can download and install it on your computer.

Step 1: Go to the Library tab in the Steam client.
Step 2: In your library, locate the game you just purchased.
Step 3: Click the “Install” button next to the game. Steam will begin downloading and installing the game on your PC.

The time it takes to download depends on your internet speed and the size of the game.

5. Link EA Account to Steam

Starting in 2020, EA began integrating its EA Play subscription with Steam. This allows you to access EA’s game catalog, get early access to new games, and enjoy other benefits. If you’re planning to access EA’s games through Steam (especially with EA Play), you will need to link your EA Account with your Steam account.

Here’s how to link your EA account to Steam:

Step 1: After installing the game, open it through Steam.
Step 2: A prompt will appear asking you to log into your EA Account.
Step 3: Sign in with your existing EA account credentials. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create a new account.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the linking process. This ensures your progress and in-game purchases are synced across Steam and EA’s platforms.

6. Access EA Play via Steam (Optional)

If you have an active EA Play subscription, you can take advantage of all the benefits that come with it, such as early access to new releases, exclusive rewards, and a library of EA games to play as part of your subscription.

Here’s how to access EA Play through Steam:

Step 1: Go to the Steam store and search for EA Play.
Step 2: Click on EA Play (either the monthly or annual subscription).
Step 3: Add EA Play to your cart and proceed with the checkout.
Step 4: Once you’ve subscribed, EA Play will be available in your Steam Library.

After subscribing, you’ll be able to download and play any EA game included in the EA Play catalog directly from Steam. Note that EA Play is a subscription service, so you’ll need to keep it active for continued access to the games.

7. Launch and Play the EA Game

Once the game is installed and linked to your EA account, you can start playing:

Step 1: Go back to your Steam Library.
Step 2: Select the EA game you’ve installed.
Step 3: Click the “Play” button to launch the game.

If you have EA Play, you can launch the game directly from the Steam client, and the game will open via the EA App (EA’s official launcher). Keep in mind that EA Play games typically require the EA App to be installed on your system.

8. Troubleshooting EA Games on Steam

While downloading and playing EA games on Steam is usually seamless, you may encounter occasional issues. Below are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

Issue 1: The Game Won’t Launch

Solution: Ensure your EA account is linked to your Steam account and that you're signed in properly. Also, check if the EA App is running in the background and is up to date.

Issue 2: Slow Download Speeds

Solution: Check your internet connection and Steam’s download server settings. You can also pause other downloads or set the download region to a closer server to improve speed.

Issue 3: Missing Game Content

Solution: Verify that you have linked your EA account and that the correct game edition or content (like DLCs or expansions) is properly installed.

Issue 4: Error Codes

Solution: Check the EA Help website or the official EA forums for specific error codes and troubleshooting steps.

Conclusion

Downloading EA games on Steam is easy and convenient, allowing players to enjoy their favorite EA titles while benefiting from Steam’s features, such as automatic updates, achievements, and friends lists. Whether you’re playing solo, with friends, or using EA Play to access a broader catalog of EA games, the process is straightforward.

To enjoy your EA games to the fullest, make sure to link your EA account, install the necessary apps, and troubleshoot any issues using the tips above.

How to Download EA Games on Steam: A Comprehensive GuideUpdated 2 months ago