Table of Contents

Can I Unlink My EA and Steam Account? A Comprehensive Guide

Quick answer

This page answers Can I unlink my EA and Steam account? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

Yes, you can unlink your EA (Electronic Arts) account from your Steam account. However, the process isn’t always straightforward and comes with certain limitations and potential consequences. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to unlinking your accounts, exploring the implications, and answering frequently asked questions to help you navigate this process smoothly. Understanding the intricacies involved is crucial before proceeding, as unlinking can impact your game access and progress.

Understanding the EA and Steam Link

The connection between your EA and Steam accounts is designed to streamline the gaming experience. Linking allows you to launch EA games purchased on Steam, and in some cases, enables cross-platform play and shared progression. However, situations arise where unlinking becomes necessary – perhaps you want to link your Steam account to a different EA account, or you’re experiencing technical issues related to the link.

Why Would You Want to Unlink?

Several reasons might prompt you to consider unlinking your EA and Steam accounts:

Linking to a Different EA Account: You might have created a new EA account and want to consolidate your Steam games under it.
Account Security: Concerns about the security of one account might lead you to unlink it from others.
Troubleshooting Issues: Sometimes, the link between accounts can cause technical glitches or prevent you from accessing certain features.
Selling or Trading Accounts: Although generally discouraged and often against terms of service, some individuals might want to unlink accounts for these purposes.

The Unlinking Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how you can initiate the unlinking process:

Access Your EA Account Settings: Log in to your EA account through the EA website (ea.com).
Navigate to Connections: Find the “Connections” tab or section within your account settings. This is typically where you manage linked accounts like Steam, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live.
Locate Steam: Look for the Steam logo in the list of connected accounts.
Initiate Unlinking: Click the “Unlink” button next to the Steam account.
Confirmation and Disclaimer: Read the disclaimer carefully. It will outline the potential consequences of unlinking, such as potential loss of in-game progress.
Acknowledge and Proceed: Check the box indicating you understand the risks and wish to continue.
Finalize Unlinking: Click the “Unlink” button to finalize the process.

Important Considerations Before Unlinking

Six-Month Lockout: EA imposes a six-month waiting period before you can relink your Steam account to a different EA account. If you unlink, be certain you want to connect to a new EA account.
One-Time Link: The new EA account you link to cannot have been previously linked to any other Steam account.
Potential Progress Loss: Unlinking can lead to loss of in-game progress, especially for games that rely on the EA account for saving data.
Disabled EA Account: If your EA account is disabled or you lack access, you’ll need to contact EA support for assistance with unlinking.

What If You Can’t Unlink?

Sometimes, the “Unlink” button might be missing, or you might encounter errors during the process. Here’s what to do:

Contact EA Support: The most common solution is to contact EA customer support. They can manually unlink accounts on their end.
Account Access Issues: If you’ve lost access to your EA account, you’ll need to prove your ownership before they can assist with unlinking.
Disabled Accounts: Unlinking a Steam account from a disabled EA account requires contacting EA support. Deleting the EA account will not sever the link.

The Role of EA Support

EA Support is your primary resource when you encounter unlinking problems. To reach them:

Visit EA Help: Go to help.ea.com.
Select the Game: Choose a game associated with the EA account you want to unlink (e.g., Apex Legends, The Sims 4).
Choose Platform: Select Steam as the platform.
Select Topic: Choose “Manage my account” or a similar topic.
Contact Options: Look for options like “Chat” or “Email” to contact support directly.

Information to Provide to EA Support

When contacting EA Support, be ready to provide the following information:

EA Account Information: Your EA account email address, username, and any other relevant details.
Steam Account Information: Your Steam account username and a link to your Steam profile.
Reason for Unlinking: Clearly explain why you want to unlink the accounts.
Proof of Ownership: Be prepared to provide proof of ownership for both accounts, such as purchase receipts or CD keys.

Important Considerations Regarding Game Ownership

Steam Purchase Remains: Unlinking your EA and Steam accounts doesn’t remove the game from your Steam library. You still own the game on Steam.
EA Games on Steam: When you buy an EA game on Steam, you may still need the EA app to launch and play some titles. Steam will indicate if a third-party DRM is required.
Adding Non-Steam Games: You can add non-Steam games to your Steam library for convenience, but this doesn’t transfer ownership or licenses.

Alternatives to Unlinking

Before resorting to unlinking, consider these alternative solutions:

Troubleshooting Connection Issues: Research common connection problems between EA and Steam and try troubleshooting steps like clearing caches or reinstalling the EA app.
Password Reset: If you’re concerned about security, change your passwords for both EA and Steam accounts.
Account Recovery: If you’ve lost access to your EA account, try the account recovery options provided by EA.

Unlinking your EA and Steam accounts is a significant decision with potential repercussions. By understanding the process, limitations, and alternatives, you can make an informed choice that best suits your gaming needs. Always remember to prioritize account security and to thoroughly research any potential impact on your game progress and access. The Games Learning Society works to create a supportive and educational environment to help all people level up their lives through games and shared experiences. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I unlink my EA account from Steam?

When you unlink your EA account from Steam, you break the connection that allows you to seamlessly launch EA games purchased on Steam. You may lose access to cloud saves and in-game progress tied to the EA account. The new EA Account you link to can’t have been linked to a Steam account before, and once your accounts are linked, you can’t unlink your Steam account again for another six months. You retain ownership of the games purchased on Steam, but might need to launch them through the EA app independently.

2. How long does it take to unlink an EA account from Steam?

The unlinking process itself is usually immediate once initiated through your EA account settings. However, keep in mind the six-month cooldown period before you can link your Steam account to a different EA account.

3. Can I link my Steam account to a different EA account after unlinking?

Yes, but with limitations. After unlinking, you can link your Steam account to a new EA account, but the new EA account cannot have been previously linked to any other Steam account. Furthermore, you must wait six months to relink if you want to link to a different account.

4. Will I lose my game progress if I unlink my EA account from Steam?

Potentially, yes. If your game saves and progress are stored on the EA servers and linked to your EA account, you may lose access to them after unlinking. Some games store progress locally, which wouldn’t be affected. It’s crucial to understand where your game saves are stored before unlinking.

5. What if I don’t have access to my EA account to unlink it from Steam?

If you lack access to your EA account, you’ll need to contact EA Support. They will require proof of ownership of both the EA and Steam accounts to assist you in unlinking them.

6. Does deleting my EA account unlink it from Steam?

No, deleting your EA account does not automatically unlink it from Steam. Your Steam account will be linked to a deleted (dead) EA account, which can cause problems. Contact EA Support to unlink before deleting the account.

7. How do I find out which EA account is linked to my Steam account?

Go to any ea site, for example ea.com, and click Sign in. Then click the Steam logo and enter your Steam credentials. You’ll land in the EA account that’s connected to that Steam account. You can also check by logging into your EA account and checking the “Connections” tab.

8. Can I unlink my EA account if it’s disabled?

Yes, you can, but you’ll need to contact EA Support. They can assist in unlinking a Steam account from a disabled EA account after verifying ownership.

9. Is there a limit to how many times I can unlink my EA and Steam accounts?

While you can unlink your accounts, EA imposes a six-month cooldown period before you can relink your Steam account to a different EA account. This effectively limits how frequently you can switch the linked EA account.

10. Will unlinking my EA account remove the games I bought on Steam?

No, unlinking will not remove the games you purchased on Steam. You retain ownership of the games. However, you might need to launch them directly through the Steam client and may require the EA app for some titles.

11. Can I still play EA games on Steam after unlinking my EA account?

You can still play EA games you purchased on Steam, but you might need to launch them through the EA app separately, depending on the game. Features like cloud saves tied to your EA account might not be accessible.

12. Why is there no unlink button on my EA account settings page?

If you don’t see the “Unlink” button, it’s best to contact EA Support. They can investigate the issue and manually unlink the accounts if necessary.

13. What happens if I unlink an EA account that has active EA Play subscription?

If you unlink an EA account with an active EA Play subscription, your Steam account will no longer have access to the benefits of the EA Play subscription through Steam. Make sure to cancel it if needed before unlinking.

14. Will unlinking affect my Apex Legends progress?

Yes, unlinking can impact your Apex Legends progress. Progress is typically tied to your EA account. Unlinking could lead to loss of progress unless you link to another EA account where your progress exists.

15. How do I transfer EA games purchased on Origin to Steam?

You cannot directly transfer EA games purchased on Origin (now the EA app) to Steam. You can add non-Steam games to your Steam library for convenience, but this doesn’t transfer the license. You’ll still need the EA app to play the games purchased on Origin.