Apex Legends for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows
Want to squad up in one of the fastest battle royale games on PC, but not sure how to begin? This apex legends download for pc guide shows you how to get the game free from Steam, install it on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and play your first match today.
Apex Legends is a free-to-play hero shooter from Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts. Squads of three drop into a shrinking arena, pick Legends with unique powers, and fight to be the last squad standing. This guide covers the official way to install it, so you get the real game and nothing else.
1. What Is Apex Legends?
Apex Legends is a battle royale hero shooter that launched on Steam on November 5, 2020. It is set in the world of Titanfall, and it stands out with fast movement, smart squad play, and a cast of Legends, each with their own powers.
Each match drops 60 players, in 20 squads of three, onto a large map. You loot weapons and gear, fight other squads, and stay inside the shrinking Ring. The last squad standing wins the match, and every Legend’s powers can turn a fight around.
The game also offers Ranked matches, Mixtape modes for fast fights, and regular seasons with new Legends, maps, and events. It is free to play, and it is one of the most-played shooters on Steam.
2. Apex Legends download for pc: Key Features
- Legends with unique powers: pick from a growing roster of Legends, each with tactical, passive, and ultimate powers that change how you fight.
- Squad play that works: use the smart ping system to mark loot, enemies, and places, so your squad stays in sync even without voice chat.
- Fast, fluid movement: slide, climb, and use ziplines and jump towers to move quickly across the map and outplay your enemies.
- Rotating maps and modes: play on maps such as Kings Canyon, World’s Edge, Olympus, and Storm Point, in Battle Royale, Mixtape, and Ranked modes.
- Ranked ladder: climb the ranked ladder with your squad, earn rewards, and test your skills against players at your level.
- Regular seasons and events: new Legends, weapons, maps, and limited-time events keep the game fresh all year round.
Tip: pick a Legend whose powers suit your style, learn the ping system, and stay close to your squad in every fight.
3. System Requirements
Check these official minimum requirements before you install the game. If your PC meets them, Apex Legends will run, but a stronger PC gives you smoother frames in busy fights.
- Operating system: 64-bit Windows 10
- Processor: AMD FX 4350 or equivalent, Intel Core i3 6300 or equivalent
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7790 (2 GB), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 75 GB of free space
- Internet: a broadband connection for the download and online play
For the best experience, use the recommended setup: a Ryzen 5 processor or equivalent, 8 GB of RAM, and an AMD Radeon R9 290 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, with DirectX 12 and 75 GB of free space. A solid-state drive also cuts loading times, so you get into matches faster.
4. Apex Legends download for pc: Official Method
Always get the game from the official Steam store page, so you receive the genuine game from Respawn and Electronic Arts. Follow these steps to reach it safely.
- Open your browser and go to the official Apex Legends page on Steam.
- On the store page, check that the game is listed as Free To Play and that Respawn is shown as the developer and Electronic Arts as the publisher.
- Click Play Game, then sign in to your Steam account, or create a free Steam account if you do not have one.
- Choose Install Steam if the client is not on your PC yet, or confirm the install in the Steam client when it opens.
- Pick your install location, then let Steam download the game files. The download needs about 75 GB of free space, so a fast connection helps.
Important: avoid third-party download sites that offer the game as a separate file. Apex Legends only comes through Steam and the EA app, and other sources may bundle unwanted software.
5. Apex Legends download for pc: Step-by-Step Installation
Once Steam has the game, the install is simple. Follow these steps in order.
- Open the Steam client and sign in to your account.
- Go to your Library, find Apex Legends, and click Install.
- Choose the drive and folder for the game, then click Next to start the download.
- Wait for the download and install to finish. You can watch the progress in the Downloads section of Steam.
- When the game shows as ready, click Play to launch it for the first time.
- Sign in to your EA Account when asked, or create one and link it to your Steam account, then let the game finish its first-run setup.
- Adjust your video settings, set your controls, and pick a resolution that matches your screen.
Warning: close heavy programs during the download and first launch, since the game needs disk space and memory to set up correctly. Apex Legends also installs the EA Javelin anti-cheat, so accept it when asked.
6. How to Play Your First Match
Your first match should be relaxed, so start in the Firing Range to learn how to move, shoot, and use your Legend’s powers. Then try a normal Trios match, and pick a quiet landing spot on the edge of the map.
Loot buildings fast, grab a weapon, armour, and healing items, then stay with your squad and move toward the Ring as it shrinks. Use the ping system to mark loot and enemies, and revive your teammates when they go down.
Next, try different Legends until you find one that suits you, and learn the maps one at a time. Then move to Ranked mode when you feel ready, and play with friends if you can, because clear callouts win fights.
7. Is Apex Legends Free? The Price Explained
Yes, Apex Legends is completely free to play on PC. You pay nothing to download it, install it, or play the full game, including Battle Royale and Ranked modes.
- Base game: free, with all maps and modes included, and most Legends can be unlocked by playing.
- Apex Coins: an optional in-game currency used to buy cosmetic items, Apex Packs, and some Legends, but it is not needed to play the full game.
- Battle Pass: an optional seasonal pass that adds extra rewards as you play, but the full game works without it.
Apex Coins and the Battle Pass are optional, and you can enjoy the full game without them. Prices are shown on the Steam store page, so check there before you buy anything.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is Apex Legends free for Windows 10 and 11?
Yes. The game is free to play on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and you download it from Steam at no cost.
Q2. Do I need Steam to play Apex Legends?
Yes, for the Steam version. You install the game through the Steam client, and you also need an EA Account, which you can link to your Steam account.
Q3. How big is the Apex Legends download?
The game needs 75 GB of free space. The download itself is about the same size, so plan for a large download on a slow connection.
Q4. Do I need an EA Account to play?
Yes. Apex Legends needs an EA Account, and you can link it to your Steam account when you first launch the game.
Q5. How many players are in an Apex Legends match?
A Battle Royale match has 60 players, in 20 squads of three. You can also play Duos and other modes with fewer players.
Q6. What are the minimum system requirements?
You need 64-bit Windows 10, an AMD FX 4350 or Intel Core i3 6300, 6 GB of RAM, a Radeon HD 7790 or GeForce GTX 950, DirectX 12, and 75 GB of free space.
Q7. Is Apex Legends safe to download from Steam?
Yes, when you use the official Steam store page. Steam is the official platform for the game, and it delivers the genuine game files.
Q8. Can I play Apex Legends offline?
No. Apex Legends is an online multiplayer game, so you need an internet connection to play matches against other players.
9. Conclusion
Apex Legends is free, fast to set up, and ready to play on Windows 10 and 11 through Steam. Install the Steam client, add the game to your Library, and let it download. Then link your EA Account, try a few Legends in the Firing Range, and drop into your first match with your squad.
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