Registration and downloading of the client of the popular entertainment platform Steam is absolutely free. But, like any quality service, Steam is interested, first of all, in increasing earnings. Therefore, there are a number of usage restrictions for new users. This was also done to protect against spam and bots. You can remove the restriction in Steam by fulfilling certain conditions of the service.

Otherwise, the following functions will not be available:

• open a group chat;
• vote in Greenlight, reviews and workshop;
• trading platform;
• limit on the number of messages in discussions;
• increasing levels and receiving trading cards;
• adding items to the workshop;
• commenting on objects in the workshop;
• access to Web API;
• chat in the browser and mobile application;
• adding screenshots;
• creating groups.

To remove all restrictions, you must spend at least $5. Moreover, the following actions will not lead to full access:

• activation of games purchased outside the platform;
• adding shortcuts to third-party games to the library;
• adding games received through promotions;
• activation of promotional codes from manufacturers of computer equipment, for example, video cards;
• Amounts returned to the bank do not count towards the required payment. If your account's total purchases fall below the required $5 after a refund, your account will be limited.

The most significant are restrictions on trade Steam platform and adding friends. Because without this, normal use of the system is impossible.

There are also regional restrictions in Steam that do not allow you to play games purchased outside the region. This was done to avoid situations where the game was bought abroad and cheaper, and then sent as a gift to a Russian user.

Now let’s look at whether it’s possible to create an unlimited Steam account without purchasing $5 worth of content.

Removing restrictions

Previously, there were many ways to remove some of the restrictions without making an actual purchase. For example, it was possible to open the ability to invite friends by activating a free game. As soon as she appeared in the library, the restriction was lifted.

The restriction on the trading platform could be removed by activating any game worth more than 5 USD. However, now, even if you bought a disk for $100, activating it will not unlock access.

Currently, adding friends to a limited account is only possible in such a way that he sends you an invitation, and you accept it.

You can try to bypass regional restrictions by manipulating the VPN. But since Steam is an online platform, there is a risk that sooner or later this will be noticed and you will be banned.

Thus, to get full access to all functions of the service, you need to purchase the game for at least $5:

Once your purchase appears in your library, you will be able to use all Steam features.

To remove the time limit for making an exchange, you must install the Steam Guard mobile application. If this is not done, then you will be able to use the purchase only 15 days after it was made. To connect a mobile authenticator, do the following:

Now every time you log into your account on your computer, you will need to enter a code. At this point, open Steam Guard in the mobile application and enter the current one this moment code. It is regenerated every 30 seconds. This way you will not only remove the restriction, but also increase the security of your account.

Thus, at the moment, most of the ways to create an unlimited Steam account for free do not work. Or you risk getting banned. Basically, 5 dollars is not such a big amount if you are passionate computer games. After all, this is just a one-time payment, and not just like that, but for content. But you will receive a full set of functions and will be able to take advantage of all the advantages of the system.

It must be said that there are many alternative stores on the Internet that sell keys and games that allow you to use them for free. paid content. How to do this is indicated in the instructions on the sites themselves, applicable to specific applications. If you know of ways to open access to all Steam functions without any financial costs or for less than $5, please tell us about them in the comments.

Often, attackers use fake accounts on which games and items were not purchased and the Steam wallet was not replenished. To prevent these users from spamming, phishing, or scamming, we limit access to some community features until at least $5 has been spent on the account.

How to access these features?

You should spend no less 5 US dollars in the Steam store. Click here to check if you've spent enough.

For example, restrictions can be removed as follows:

• Top up your balance with $5 or more
• Buy games worth $5 or more on the Steam Store
• Redeem Steam Wallet Code for $5 or more
• Purchase $5 or more from the Steam Store (receive a gift or gift card from friend doesn't count)

The following actions won't be removed account restrictions:

• Activation of games purchased in retail stores.
• Launch of free demo versions.
• Adding third-party games to the Steam library.
• Use of funds received from selling items on the Marketplace.
• Adding and launching temporarily free games based on promotions (such as “free weekends”).
• Installing and launching free games (for example, Alien Swarm, or free versions Portal and Team Fortress 2).
• Activation of digital keys from manufacturers of video cards and other computer components.

All transactions on Steam are tracked in US dollars. If Steam Store prices are listed in the currency of your region, purchases will be automatically converted to US Dollars based on daily updated exchange rates.

What features are not available?

Users with limited rights do not have access to many features on Steam. In the future, their list may increase:

• Sending invitations to friends and groups.
• Sending requests to join groups.
• Sending invitations to a group chat.
• Rating reviews and products in the Steam Workshop.
• Buying and selling on trading platform Steam.
• Exchange items in the Steam community (trading cards, card sets, gems and others).
• Frequently posting to Steam discussions.
• Obtaining Steam profile levels (the level does not rise above zero) and trading cards.
• Posting content in the Workshop.
• Posting comments on items in the Workshop.
• Using the Steam Web API.
• Using chat in the browser and mobile client.
• Publication of illustrations and screenshots in the public domain.
• Creating messages in exchange offers.
• Creating Steam groups.
• Additionally, users with limited rights are not counted when counting the number of members in groups.
• Subscription to curators.

FAQ

I was gifted the game, will I get access to all features?

No. Receiving games as a gift or through an exchange system does not remove the restrictions.

What if the purchase funds were returned to the bank or the transaction was disputed?

If the money spent is returned to your bank, this amount will be deducted from the total value of all purchases in your account. If your return or dispute results in a charge below $5, you will no longer have access to the features listed above.

For example, if you purchase a game for $5, your account will have access to all features. If you dispute this payment through your bank, the funds will be returned to the bank and you will lose access to these features because Steam ultimately does not receive these funds.

What if my purchase was refunded to my Steam Wallet?

Funds returned to your Steam Wallet (for example, due to a canceled pre-order) do not affect your access to Steam Community features.

There were no restrictions on my account, but now they have appeared. Why?

At the last count, the amount spent on your account was less than $5, so the restrictions came into force. This could be due to a previous counting error, which can happen to accounts that have spent more than $1 but less than $5.

What if the prices in my Steam Store are not listed in USD?

If your Steam Store prices are displayed in a different currency, we will track your purchases in US Dollars by translating the amount of each Steam purchase using the exchange rate that is updated daily. Once you spend an amount equal to $5, account restrictions will be lifted.

How can I add friends if my rights are limited?

As a limited user, you cannot add friends yourself. However, you can accept invitations from accounts that do not have restrictions. For example, if your friend has already spent at least $5 in the Steam Store, they will be able to add you as a friend through your Steam Community profile. You will be able to accept his invitation from your account.

Can I participate in Steam discussions?

Yes, but with some restrictions. First, you must have at least 60 minutes of game time on your account (time spent in free games counts). Secondly, you must own the game in whose community center you want to post. Finally, users with limited accounts can only create a small number of ads per day.

If a purchase is pending or being processed, when will restrictions be lifted?

Restrictions are lifted only upon successful completion of the purchase. If a purchase is pending or being processed, or if our system is waiting for confirmation of payment from your bank, the funds spent will not affect the limits.

What exchange rate is used to calculate the dollar amount of my purchases?

To calculate the amount of money spent, we use the current exchange rate on the day the purchase was made.