Steam Mobile Authenticator FAQ

[Atriox]

Use CTRL+F to find a particular question.


What is the Steam Mobile Authenticator?

The SMA provides a second layer of security to your account. Every time your account logs in, you are sent a unique code to the app on your phone, which you must enter to access your account. If you log into one device frequently, you can save your details onto that device.

How do I get the Steam Mobile Authenticator?

First of all, you need an iOS or Android smartphone. Then you need to download the Steam app from the App Store or the Android store. Log into Steam on your phone. After that, go to Steam on your PC, find Account Details at the top right, and follow the on screen instructions.
https://store.steampowered.com/account/

What if I don’t have an iOS or Android phone?

If you don’t have access to either of these, then you can’t use the authenticator. 3rd party authenticators do exist, but they are not supported by Valve right now and thus will not be covered in this FAQ.

Why do I need the Steam Mobile Authenticator?

First of all, having the authenticator provides a second layer of security to your account. This will prevent hijackers from accessing your account and items if it becomes compromised.

Second, you need the Authenticator to remove both trade holds and market holds. Without the authenticator, trades and market transactions will be held for 15 days. If you are trading with a long time Steam friend, the hold is only 24 hours.

I’ve just activated the authenticator, but I’m still getting trade holds!

Before the holds are removed, the authenticator needs to be active on your account for at least 7 days. This means exactly 7 days. For example, if you activated it at 7.21 PM on Tuesday, you would need to wait until that exact time 7 days later.

I’ve had the authenticator for over 7 days but I still get trade holds!

Both parties in a trade need the authenticator enabled for at least 7 days. However, this only applies if both parties are trading at least one item.

I still can’t remove trade holds!

Go to Account Details and check the colour of the shield. If it is not green, then your authenticator is not set up.

https://store.steampowered.com/account/

How do I know when I activated the authenticator?

Check your emails. A confirmation email will have been sent as you activated the authenticator.

Will removing the authenticator give me trade holds?

Yes, it will restart the cycle.

I can’t confirm any trades on the app!

This one comes up a lot and I don’t know any sure-fire methods of fixing it. Here are some suggestions:
- Delete appcache from app (Android users only)
- Log out of app and log back in. This does not cause any damage.
- Make sure your Steam app is up to date.
- Make sure your phone is automatically obtaining the time and date.
- LAST RESORT – Disable the authenticator, delete app and restart the entire cycle. Only do this if it’s your last hope.

Can I transfer the authenticator to another phone?/

Yes. You need both phones and your recovery code. Try to log in on your new mobile device and follow the on screen instructions.

When I log into my Steam account the codes are incorrect/delayed!

To fix this, you need to make sure your phone is automatically obtaining the date and time.

The app has logged me out of Steam!

First of all, try restarting your phone and making sure you have the latest version of Steam on mobile. Second, try triggering a code on the PC client and using that to sign into your phone again.

I lost my phone! Help!

You can try contacting your mobile provider and asking them to switch the numbers around. If that fails, contact Steam support and provide proof of the ownership of your account. They can remove the authenticator for you.

https://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php?s=b1724d9563f0f8321fc1faa7d74b37ba&category=273

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2268-EAFZ-9762

What should I do to make sure I don’t get locked out of my account?

If you intend to remove the authenticator, make sure you do it from the PC client first. Deleting the app on your phone first will lock you out of your account.

NEVER save your recovery code on your phone only. Write it down elsewhere.
https://store.steampowered.com/twofactor/manage

I’ve lost my recovery code!

Go to the Steam Guard page on your phone app and scroll down to find your code.

My phone number isn’t working!

Make sure your country code and international format is correct when entering your phone number. Steam does not send SMS texts to phones that cannot receive them. Still need help for this one? Contact support.

In addition, if your SMS texts are not working, wait a few minutes before applying the received code, or retrying the same code multiple times until it succeeds, while making 1 min pause between retries. (Thanks to goodone)

https://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php?s=677b2c8a134ff6e9d2d95023b005ff2c&category=273

If you have any questions that are not covered here, please post a comment and I’ll reply to the best of my ability.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-WRAH-9030

[goodone]

info about unofficial apps for steam guard and chat, for Windows mobile phones.

for Windows desktop suggestion is Winauth.

[Atriox]

Thanks for posting. The only thing that concerns me is that they are not official. Steam cannot intervene if it goes pear shaped, which is why I didn't initially include anything about 3rd party authenticators in the FAQ.

[goodone]

Originally posted by Yazite:

Thanks for posting. The only thing that concerns me is that they are not official. Steam cannot intervene if it goes pear shaped, which is why I didn't initially include anything about 3rd party authenticators in the FAQ.

ofc, ppl use them on their own responsibility, but I still think the information is useful to many.

nice FAQ, btw.

[Atriox]

I agree, however I wouldn't want to get into trouble by essentially advertising them.

Thanks, it means a lot. Feel free to suggest any changes. Would be much appreciated.

[Lunacy]

Originally posted by Yazite:

Use CTRL+F4

troll thread

[Atriox]

Originally posted by Lunacy:

Originally posted by Yazite:

Use CTRL+F4

troll thread

How?

That should be CTRL + F. Good catch mate.

[goodone]

u should add recommendation to delete app cache (but not data) in case of app acting weird.

also the issue when SMS codes are not working, which is caused by time delays in steam network regarding SMS code deliveries, and the solution to wait a few minutes before applying the received code, or retrying the same code multiple times until it succeeds, while making 1 min pause between retries.

[Atriox]

Originally posted by goodone:

u should add recommendation to delete app cache (but not data) in case of app acting weird.

also the issue when SMS codes are not working, which is caused by time delays in steam network regarding SMS code deliveries, and the solution to wait a few minutes before applying the received code, or retrying the same code multiple times until it succeeds, while making 1 min pause between retries.

Is that for Android users only? I can't find that option on iPhone.

Thanks, I'll add the second part.

[goodone]

Originally posted by Yazite:

Originally posted by goodone:

u should add recommendation to delete app cache (but not data) in case of app acting weird.

Is that for Android users only? I can't find that option on iPhone.

yes, Android. a fair majority of users having problems, considering issues I handled so far.

[Atriox]

Alright thanks I'll add it.

[Atriox]

Bump. So many questions could be answered with this thread.

[sunny]

LOLO

[Mr.KwamiD-86]

BUMP!

IS ANYBODY LISTENING!?

[HikariLight]

Originally posted by Mr.KwamiD-86:

BUMP!

IS ANYBODY LISTENING!?

Dude, this thread is 8 years old.
There is no need or reason to Necro it.
Also bumping a thread to get it to the top of the list and not adding anything meaningful to the discussion is against the forum rules.

[Katie]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.