How to Check Steam Gifts: A Complete Guide for Gamers Who Love Surprises
There’s something uniquely thrilling about receiving a surprise gift—especially when it’s a game you’ve been eyeing for months. On Steam, Valve’s digital distribution platform, gifting is not just a feature—it’s a culture. Friends surprise each other, communities run giveaways, and seasonal sales turn into gift-giving bonanzas. But what happens when you’re not sure if that gift actually landed in your account? Or worse—what if you sent one and never heard back? Learning how to check Steam gifts isn’t just useful—it’s essential for any active Steam user.
Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore collector, knowing where to look, what to expect, and how to troubleshoot missing gifts can save you time, confusion, and even money. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step—from receiving to redeeming, from pending to processed—and even throw in real-life scenarios to help you avoid common pitfalls.
Where Do Steam Gifts Appear?
The first thing to understand is that Steam gifts don’t automatically appear in your library. Unlike purchases you make for yourself, gifted games require an extra step: acceptance.
When someone sends you a gift, Steam delivers it via your inventory. Think of your Steam Inventory as a digital gift box—it holds not just games, but trading cards, profile backgrounds, and other virtual items. To access it:
- Log into your Steam account.
- Click your profile name in the top-right corner.
- Select “Inventory” from the dropdown menu.
- Look under the “Gifts & Guest Passes” category.
Here, you’ll see any pending gifts. Click on the gift, then click “Accept Gift.” Once accepted, the game is permanently added to your Steam library.
Pro Tip: If you don’t see a gift here, it hasn’t been sent—or it’s still pending delivery due to regional restrictions or payment verification.
What If You Don’t See the Gift?
Sometimes, gifts seem to vanish into thin air. Before you panic, consider these common reasons:
- The sender hasn’t completed the purchase. Steam allows users to schedule gifts or delay sending. The recipient won’t see anything until the sender finalizes the transaction.
- Regional restrictions block delivery. Steam enforces regional pricing and licensing. If the gift’s region doesn’t match yours, it may be held or canceled.
- Your privacy settings are too strict. If your inventory is set to “Private,” even pending gifts may be hidden from view. Go to Profile > Edit Profile > Privacy Settings and ensure “Inventory” is set to “Public” or “Friends Only” during troubleshooting.
- The gift was refunded or canceled. Senders can cancel gifts before they’re accepted. You’ll receive an email notification if this happens.
Case Study: Maria gifted “Hades” to her brother during the Winter Sale. He didn’t see it for two days. Why? She had selected “Schedule delivery” and forgot to confirm. Once she manually sent it, it appeared instantly in his inventory.
How to Track Sent Gifts (For Givers)
If you’re the one sending the gift, you’re not left in the dark. Steam provides a clear way to track the status of your sent gifts:
- Go to your Steam account page.
- Click “View Purchase History.”
- Locate the gifted item. You’ll see its current status: “Pending,” “Delivered,” or “Accepted.”
You’ll also receive an email when the recipient accepts the gift—unless they decline it. Yes, recipients can decline gifts, and if they do, you’ll get a full refund.
Note: Once a gift is accepted, it cannot be transferred or refunded. Steam’s policy is strict here to prevent abuse and gray-market trading.
Gifts vs. Guest Passes: Know the Difference
Not all items in your “Gifts & Guest Passes” tab are permanent. Some are Guest Passes—temporary access tokens that let friends try a game for a limited time. These are often bundled with multiplayer titles like “Left 4 Dead 2” or “Dota 2.”
Guest Passes don’t add the game to your permanent library. They’re single-use and expire after a set period. Always check the item description before clicking “Accept.”
Red Flags: Spotting Fake or Scam “Gifts”
The Steam community is generally safe, but scammers exist. Be wary of:
- “Free game” links sent via chat or forums. These often lead to phishing sites designed to steal your login.
- Fake “gift notifications” that ask you to log in elsewhere. Steam will never ask you to enter your password on a third-party site to claim a gift.
- Overly generous strangers offering “gifts” in exchange for your inventory items or personal info.
Always access your gifts through the official Steam client or website. Never click external links claiming to deliver Steam gifts.
What Happens If You Already Own the Game?
A common question: “What if I’m gifted a game I already own?”
Good news—you’re not out of luck. Steam allows you to trade or regift unaccepted copies. Once you accept it, however, the extra copy vanishes. So if you see a duplicate incoming, consider:
- Declining it (sender gets a refund).
- Accepting and trading it via Steam’s Community Market (if trading is enabled).
- Regifting it to another friend (before acceptance).
*Real Example: Tom