PSA: Downgrading (Obsolete!)

[lightwo]

No longer works

The old app versions cannot authenticate to Steam any longer. So long.

However, read along and you will find potential solutions under the I don't want to use a mobile app section. It is possible that the desktop utilities no longer work, but feel free to test.

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This post is mirrored from here.

Attention!

Please avoid relying on the recovery code the newer app versions provide, it may be incorrect due to a bug! This can be identified if the code is of a different length than R##### (R-5 digits). If you wrote down your code before the app update, it shouldn't be an issue.

Also note that legacy chat the entire app has become unusable.

Android

1. Disable automatic updates for Steam app in Google Play or Aurora Store (i.e. add to blacklist), depending on what you use
   
2. If you want to keep using mobile Steam Guard and still use the phone number, skip this step. If you have it enabled but no longer want to use it, disable it now (note: disabling in any case causes a 15-day Community Market cooldown; transferring may not take as long, reportedly only 2 days)
   
3. Uninstall the app; while it wipes the data, including Steam Guard information, transferring authenticator to another device doesn't require the original to be intact
   
4. Obtain the old version
   
   • Universal: Download old version of the app directly from Steam here (archived[web.archive.org]) (2.3.12), or from APKMirror here[www.apkmirror.com] (2.3.13).
     
   • Aurora Store: Enter the Steam app page, under the [...] menu press Manual download, enter 6549178 (2.3.13) and press Check.
     
5. Install the app (in the case of Aurora Store, it should be installed automatically)
   
6. If you had mobile Steam Guard enabled previously, enter your credentials, hit "I no longer have access to my authenticator." instead of entering the code, follow the steps (typically involving a confirmation SMS) and you're done! However, don't forget about the 2 day cooldown outlined previously

iOS

WIP; I have no iOS device to test on, it probably involves jailbreaking. Anyone willing to help, please comment.

I don't want to use a mobile app

Either:

• Disable Steam Guard entirely (not recommended) or enable Steam Guard over email on this page. Note that neither of these are as secure, and in the case of email-based authentication, trade and Market holds will be introduced
  
• Use a desktop utility
  
  • Windows: Steam Desktop Authenticator[github.com]
    
  • Linux: steamguard-cli[github.com]
    

[lightwo]

Also, if you have root access on Android, downgrading to the old version directly will work, but make sure to delete new files (use any terminal application or ADB):

su
cd /data/data/com.valvesoftware.android.steam.community && rm -rf app_textures/ app_webview/ cache/ code_cache/ databases/ no_backup/ shared_prefs/MainActivity.xml shared_prefs/WebViewChromiumPrefs.xml

[Captain Chirac]

Very useful and concise guide. Will share when I see someone asking about downgrading the Steam app on Android.

P.S: Apple users need to learn to stop consuming overpriced, obsolete stuff that restricts their freedom.

[Mr D Grim]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ love you for this. the new app really was a huge pile of ♥♥♥♥ i did not ask for.

[Bakim The Looter]

A life savior

[DeadBeat]

Thanks OP that worked nicely for me.

[Driftkel]

Whoever has a workaround for iOS, that would be very useful considering I just got a new iPhone 13 about 2 weeks ago and there seems to be no way to downgrade (for now).

[DeadBeat]

I wasn't sure how to do it so I ended up finding this site if this helps anyone.

https://www.androidauthority.com/how-to-install-apks-31494/

Also make sure to disable "install unknown apps" from the browser you gave permission to after installing the app.

[Nxaza]

the new app is terrible, downgrade worked perfectly using the steam link.

[Be Gay, Do Crimes, Smoke Weed!]

Got it working, thank you again!

[velja?]

Znači samo skinem staru verziju, prijavim se i ne moram da čekam opet 15 dana? Ako je tako, onda super. Ako nije, jbg, pokušao si. Hvala svakako brate.

[Asuka]

Trade hold?

[Asuka]

My account is logged out, I still need to login, but I can't find the code. So I was forced to remove the steam guard and put it back on. Now I am tradehold!

[lightwo]

İlk olarak velja tarafından gönderildi:

Znači samo skinem staru verziju, prijavim se i ne moram da čekam opet 15 dana? Ako je tako, onda super. Ako nije, jbg, pokušao si. Hvala svakako brate.

Nope, moraš čekati ako nemaš rootani Android mobitel. RIP

İlk olarak Nice tarafından gönderildi:

My account is logged out, I still need to login, but I can't find the code. So I was forced to remove the steam guard and put it back on. Now I am tradehold!

Yes, as mentioned, there is no way to avoid the trade hold.

[Mahmoud]

yes thank you, it will be a 15 days cooldown but it's worth it

[Captain Chirac]

İlk olarak lightwo tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak velja tarafından gönderildi:

Znači samo skinem staru verziju, prijavim se i ne moram da čekam opet 15 dana? Ako je tako, onda super. Ako nije, jbg, pokušao si. Hvala svakako brate.

Nope, moraš čekati ako nemaš rootani Android mobitel. RIP

İlk olarak Nice tarafından gönderildi:

My account is logged out, I still need to login, but I can't find the code. So I was forced to remove the steam guard and put it back on. Now I am tradehold!

Yes, as mentioned, there is no way to avoid the trade hold.

The trading cards you've put on for trade when they were $0,05 might have ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up to $0,07 while you were away, though. And they might have ♥♥♥♥♥♥ back to being worth $0,05 by the time you come back.