Apex Legends has taken the gaming world by storm, and playing it on Steam offers a seamless and integrated experience for PC gamers. However, there might come a time when you need to change the Apex Legends account linked to your Steam profile. Whether you have multiple accounts, want to switch to a different region, or are simply starting fresh, understanding how to change your Apex Legends account on Steam is essential. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring a smooth transition and addressing common questions along the way.

Why Change Your Apex Legends Account on Steam?

Before diving into the 'how-to', let's understand the 'why'. There are several valid reasons why players might want to change their Apex Legends account on Steam:

• Multiple Accounts: Some players maintain multiple Apex Legends accounts for various reasons. This could be for playing with friends in different regions, experimenting with different playstyles without affecting their main account's stats, or even for content creation purposes.
• Starting Fresh: Perhaps you want a clean slate. Maybe you're returning to Apex Legends after a break and want to experience the initial progression again, or you simply want to distance yourself from a previous account.
• Account Region Changes: While less common for account changes, sometimes players might mistakenly link an account to the wrong region or need to switch for competitive reasons. Although region changes are primarily server-based, managing accounts can sometimes be tied to regional preferences.
• Selling or Trading Accounts (Though Discouraged): While against the Terms of Service of both Steam and EA, some players unfortunately engage in account trading or selling. Changing accounts becomes a necessity in such scenarios (however, we strongly advise against this practice due to security risks and potential account bans).
• Account Recovery or Migration Issues: In rare cases, players might encounter issues with their initially linked account and need to relink or switch to a different one to resolve problems.

Understanding the Account Linking System

Apex Legends on Steam utilizes the EA account system (formerly Origin, now EA app). When you launch Apex Legends on Steam for the first time, you'll be prompted to link your Steam account to an EA account. This linking process is crucial as your game progress, in-game purchases, and player data are stored on your EA account, not directly on Steam.

Therefore, changing your Apex Legends account on Steam essentially means unlinking your current EA account from Steam and linking a different one. It's important to understand that this process affects the linked EA account, not your Steam account itself. You will still be using the same Steam profile to launch the game.

Methods to Change Your Apex Legends Account on Steam

There are primarily two main methods to change your Apex Legends account on Steam:

Method 1: Unlinking and Relinking Your EA Account (Recommended)

This is the most direct and recommended method for changing your Apex Legends account on Steam. It involves unlinking your currently linked EA account from your Steam account and then relinking a different EA account when you relaunch the game.

Steps:

1. Access Your EA Account Settings: The first step is to access your EA account settings. You can do this by going to the official EA website (www.ea.com) and logging in with the credentials of the EA account currently linked to your Steam.
2. Navigate to Connections: Once logged in, navigate to your account settings. Look for a section typically labeled "Connections" or "Connected Accounts." This section lists all the platforms and services linked to your EA account, including Steam.
3. Unlink Your Steam Account: Locate Steam in the list of connected accounts. You should see an option to "Unlink" or "Disconnect" your Steam account. Click this option. EA will likely present a confirmation prompt and warnings about unlinking. Carefully read these warnings before proceeding. Unlinking your Steam account from your EA account will not delete your EA account data, but it will sever the link between the two.
4. Confirm Unlinking: Confirm that you want to unlink your Steam account. You might need to go through a verification process, such as entering a security code sent to your email or phone.
5. Launch Apex Legends on Steam: After successfully unlinking your Steam account from your EA account, close and relaunch Apex Legends through Steam.
6. Link a New EA Account: When you launch Apex Legends after unlinking, the game should prompt you to link an EA account again. This time, you can either log in with a different existing EA account or create a new one. Enter the credentials of the EA account you want to link to your Steam account.
7. Verify Linking: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the linking process. This might involve entering a verification code or confirming the link through your EA account.
8. Start Playing: Once the linking is complete, Apex Legends will load with the data associated with the newly linked EA account.

Important Considerations for Method 1:

• Data Loss (Minimal): Unlinking and relinking accounts does not inherently delete your progress on either account. Your Apex Legends progress is tied to your EA account. However, always be cautious and ensure you are linking the correct EA account to avoid confusion.
• Cooldown Periods (Potentially): EA may implement cooldown periods for unlinking and relinking accounts to prevent abuse. If you encounter issues relinking immediately after unlinking, wait for a short period and try again. Check EA Help resources for specific cooldown policies if you face problems.
• Account Security: Always perform account linking and unlinking through official EA channels (the EA website or the EA app). Be wary of third-party websites or applications claiming to facilitate account changes, as these could be phishing attempts or malicious software.

Method 2: Using a Different Steam Account (Alternative, Less Ideal)

While less common and generally less convenient, you can technically use a different Steam account to access a different Apex Legends account. This method involves using a completely separate Steam profile and then linking a different EA account to that Steam profile.

Steps:

1. Create a New Steam Account (if needed): If you don't already have a separate Steam account, create a new one. This will require a different email address and Steam username.
2. Log in to the New Steam Account: Log out of your current Steam account and log in to the new Steam account you want to use for the other Apex Legends account.
3. Install Apex Legends (if needed): If you haven't already installed Apex Legends on this new Steam account, you may need to install it. If you have Steam's family sharing enabled and Apex Legends is shared from your main account, it might be available without re-downloading.
4. Launch Apex Legends on the New Steam Account: Launch Apex Legends through the new Steam account.
5. Link a Different EA Account: When prompted, link a different EA account than the one linked to your primary Steam account. This could be an existing EA account or a newly created one.
6. Verify Linking: Complete the linking process.
7. Start Playing: Apex Legends will now be associated with the different EA account through this separate Steam profile.

Important Considerations for Method 2:

• Separate Steam Libraries: Using a different Steam account means separate game libraries. You will need to manage games and potentially purchase them again on the new account if you want to access other games besides Apex Legends.
• Inconvenience: Switching between Steam accounts can be less convenient compared to simply unlinking and relinking EA accounts within the same Steam profile.
• Less Common Use Case: This method is generally only used if players want a completely separate Steam identity for different gaming purposes, not just for changing Apex Legends accounts.

Step-by-Step Guide: Unlinking Your EA Account (Detailed Walkthrough)

Let's break down the unlinking process from Method 1 in more detail:

1. Open Your Web Browser and Go to EA.com: Open your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.) and navigate to www.ea.com.
2. Click "Log In": In the top right corner of the EA website, click on the "Log In" button.
3. Enter Your EA Account Credentials: Enter the email address and password associated with the EA account that is currently linked to your Steam account and Apex Legends. Click "Sign In."
4. Access Account Settings: Once logged in, click on your profile icon or username (usually in the top right corner) and select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu.
5. Navigate to "Connections": In the Account Settings menu, look for the "Connections" tab or section (it might be labeled slightly differently depending on EA website updates). Click on "Connections."
6. Locate Steam in "Connected Accounts": You will see a list of platforms and services connected to your EA account. Find "Steam" in this list.
7. Click "Unlink" or "Disconnect" Next to Steam: Next to the Steam entry, you should see a button or link labeled "Unlink" or "Disconnect." Click on this.
8. Review the Unlinking Warning: EA will display a warning message explaining the consequences of unlinking your Steam account. Read this message carefully. It will likely mention that you might lose access to certain features or content if you proceed. In the context of Apex Legends account switching, the primary consequence is that you'll need to relink a new EA account to play on Steam.
9. Confirm Unlinking: If you understand the warning and still want to proceed, click the "Unlink" button or a similar confirmation button. You may be asked to verify your identity through a security code sent to your email or phone number. Follow the verification steps if prompted.
10. Unlinking Complete: Once the process is complete, you should see a confirmation message that your Steam account is now unlinked from your EA account.

After completing these steps, you can proceed to relaunch Apex Legends on Steam and link a new EA account as described in Method 1.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Will I lose my Apex Legends progress if I change accounts?

A: No, changing accounts through unlinking and relinking does not inherently delete your progress. Your Apex Legends progress is tied to your EA account. When you link a different EA account, you will access the progress associated with that specific EA account.

Q: Can I transfer progress between different EA accounts?

A: Officially, EA does not offer a direct account merging or progress transfer feature between EA accounts for Apex Legends. Progress, skins, and other in-game items are generally locked to the EA account they were earned or purchased on.

Q: Is there a cooldown period for unlinking and relinking accounts?

A: EA may implement cooldown periods to prevent account abuse. If you encounter issues relinking immediately after unlinking, wait for a short period (e.g., a few hours or a day) and try again. Check official EA Help resources for the most up-to-date information on cooldown policies.

Q: Can I link multiple Steam accounts to the same EA account?

A: No, typically, you can only link one Steam account to one EA account at a time. This is why you need to unlink the current Steam account before linking a different one to an EA account.

Q: What if I forget my EA account credentials?

A: If you forget your EA account email or password, use the EA account recovery tools on the EA website (help.ea.com). You can typically recover your account using your linked email address, phone number, or security questions.

Q: Can I change my Apex Legends account directly within Steam?

A: No, account management for Apex Legends linked to Steam is primarily handled through the EA account system. You need to manage account linking and unlinking through the EA website or the EA app, not directly within the Steam client.

Q: Is it safe to use third-party websites or apps to change my Apex Legends account?

A:No, it is strongly discouraged to use third-party websites or applications for account management. Always use official EA channels (EA website, EA app) for account linking and unlinking to protect your account security and avoid phishing scams or malicious software.

Conclusion

Changing your Apex Legends account on Steam is a straightforward process primarily involving unlinking your current EA account and linking a new one. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly switch between different Apex Legends accounts linked to your Steam profile. Remember to always prioritize account security, use official EA channels for account management, and be aware of potential cooldown periods. With the right knowledge, you can manage your Apex Legends accounts effectively and enjoy the game to its fullest on Steam.

References and Sources

• EA Help - Linking Your Console Accounts to Your EA Account
• EA User Agreement
• Steam Refunds Policy (Relevant for potential purchase issues)