What is the Steam API Key?
To begin, let’s find out what the Steam API key is. The words API mean Application Programming Interface, i.e. a way for websites or applications to interact with each other. The Key is a unique string of characters allowing the website or service to identify a particular user. It is produced randomly on the user's request.
There are various scenarios for its usage. For example, a third-party skin trading platform sometimes requires it to interact with your inventory, such as issue trades or handle other operations. But there is also a downside, as having an active Steam API key sometimes produces additional risks, if you aren’t careful enough. If some hackers get their hands on it, they apply it further to stealthily dig into users’ inventory.
Where to Find My Steam API Key?
To find out if you possess an active Steam trade API Key, login and navigate to the following link: https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey
Your active API Key will be mentioned there.
If you don’t possess any, you will see a suggestion to generate one.
How to Get Steam API Key?
To get a Steam API Key, perform the actions as described.
Navigate to the dedicated page. If you don’t possess an active key, the page contains the following:
The Domain Name field is intended for the address of the page where you plan to use a key. Usually it isn’t important, so it is fine to just fill your home PC name in. Sometimes the service you require an API key for, may provide specific instructions.
Then confirm the request through the Steam Guard authenticator. Note, that it is impossible to perform these steps, if you do not have it enabled.
The new SteamAPI key will appear in the list on the page. Strictly avoid publishing it openly, as it provides a way to interact with your account! Keep it secret and use it only if you fully understand your actions.
How to Revoke Steam API Key?
Deleting a Steam API Key is as simple as adding it. This procedure is required in several situations. The common reason to do so is to prevent a scam. If you actively buy and sell skins, but don’t use a Steam API key, it is worth checking https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey regularly. If you discover an active Web API Key there but do not remember generating it, revoke it and change your password just to be sure. There were cases of scammers using an API Key to dig into users’ accounts and steal their inventory.
If you registered a Steam API key to interact with a certain service or platform, but don’t use it anymore, it will be a good idea to revoke it as well. Why leave it active, if you do not use it anymore. To revoke the Steam Web API key, go to the same page and press the button below it:
You will see the pop-up message warning you that any apps using the key will stop working. Press “Yes”, and you are done. If everything has worked correctly, you will see a page with the suggestion to create a key again.
Steam API Key FAQ
What is my Steam API Key?
The Steam API Key is a unique string of characters which can be used by various apps or websites to identify your Steam Account and interact with it.
How to check Steam API Key?
Open https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey and see if you have any active keys listed there.
How to make a Steam API Key?
Open https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey, enter your domain name and choose Register.
How to change Steam API Key?
Open https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey, revoke the existing key and request a new one per the same procedure.
How to reset Steam API Key?
Open https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey and press revoke. If you need a new key, you may create it after that.
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