If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Twitch and seen the fast-paced, chaotic fun of Apex Legends matches, you’ve probably wondered how to join in for yourself. If your question is how can i download apex legends on pc, you’re in the right place. The game is completely free to play, but there are a few common pitfalls that can make the installation process frustrating for first-time players. I’ve walked dozens of new players through this process over the last few years, so I’ve broken down every step, requirement, and fix you might need to get in the game as fast as possible.
How Can I Download Apex Legends on PC: Official Installation Paths
There are only two official, safe ways to download Apex Legends for Windows PC, and any other source carries a real risk of malware, account theft, or corrupted game files. Never download Apex Legends from unlicensed third-party sites, even if they promise faster download speeds or exclusive in-game rewards. These sites almost always come with hidden bloatware or scam login prompts designed to steal your EA account credentials.
Before you start any installation, make sure you have all of the following ready to avoid mid-process delays:
- A stable high-speed internet connection (the game is roughly 80GB as of latest updates, so you won’t want unexpected disconnects to corrupt your download)
- An active EA account (you can create one for free during installation if you don’t have one already, no payment info required)
- At least 100GB of free storage space on your PC to leave room for temporary installation files and future seasonal patches
- Admin access to your PC to allow the installer to make necessary system changes and install required anti-cheat software
If you choose to download via the EA App, you’ll first need to install the launcher itself from the official EA website. Once the launcher is installed and you’re logged into your EA account, search for Apex Legends in the store, click “Download”, and choose the installation folder on your hard drive. The EA App will automatically install any required updates and anti-cheat software for you, so you don’t have to hunt for separate files.
If you prefer to use Steam, the process is even simpler. Open your Steam client, search for Apex Legends in the store, click “Play Game”, and select your preferred installation location. You’ll still be prompted to link your EA account to your Steam account the first time you launch the game, but this only takes 30 seconds and you won’t have to do it again for future sessions.
Minimum and Recommended PC Requirements for Apex Legends
Even if you know how can i download apex legends on pc, it’s a waste of time if your PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements. Respawn updates these requirements occasionally as new seasons add more content, so it’s worth double checking before you spend time downloading the 80GB file.
The minimum requirements for low-settings, 30FPS gameplay are: 64-bit Windows 10 operating system, Intel Core i3 6300 or equivalent AMD CPU, 6GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 640 or equivalent AMD GPU. There is no 32-bit operating system support for Apex Legends, so you will need to upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows if you’re still running a 32-bit build.
If you want to play at 1080p, 60FPS on medium to high settings, you’ll need the recommended specs: Intel Core i5 3570K or equivalent AMD CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 970 or equivalent AMD GPU. Installing the game on an SSD instead of a traditional HDD will cut your match load times by up to 70% and reduce instances of in-game texture popping. If you have extra storage space, this is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to improve your Apex experience.
If you’re not sure whether your PC meets these requirements, you can use free system checker tools to compare your specs against the latest requirements. Most mid-range PCs built in the last five years will run the game perfectly well on medium settings, even if they don’t hit the exact recommended specs.
Common Installation Errors and How to Fix Them
Even if you follow all the official steps for how can i download apex legends on pc, you might run into a few common errors that stop your download or prevent the game from launching. I’ve seen every one of these errors dozens of times, and almost all of them have a simple, 2-minute fix.
The most common error is a download that gets stuck at 99% or fails repeatedly. This almost always happens because of a spotty internet connection or a temporary server issue on EA or Steam’s end. The first fix to try is pausing the download, waiting 10 seconds, then resuming it. If that doesn’t work, restart your launcher and try again. Avoid using VPNs while downloading, as they can slow down your connection and trigger server security blocks.
Another common issue is a “file corrupted” error when you try to launch the game after installation. This happens when part of the download didn’t save correctly, and it’s easy to fix. Both EA App and Steam have a built-in “verify integrity of game files” tool in the game’s settings menu. Run this tool, and it will automatically replace any corrupted files with fresh, working copies. The Easy Anti-Cheat software is required to play online matches, so don’t cancel that installation step even if you don’t recognize the software name. If you get an anti-cheat error, you can repair the tool directly from the game’s installation folder.
If you get an “EA account link failed” error when launching the Steam version of the game, log out of your EA account on any other devices or browsers first, then try linking again. This error almost always happens when you’re logged into your EA account on multiple platforms at the same time.
First Steps After Downloading Apex Legends on PC
Once the game is fully installed and launches successfully, there are a few quick steps you should take before you jump into your first public match to make the experience as smooth as possible. These steps only take a few minutes, and they’ll save you a lot of frustration later.
First, adjust your graphics settings to match your PC’s performance. Start with the auto-detect setting, then tweak individual settings like shadow quality and anti-aliasing to hit a consistent 60FPS if possible. A stable frame rate is much more important for competitive play than fancy graphics, so don’t be afraid to turn down some settings if you’re experiencing lag.
Next, run through the full practice range tutorial. Even if you’ve played other battle royales before, Apex has unique movement mechanics like sliding and wall climbing that take a minute to get used to. Completing the full practice range tutorial will also earn you free cosmetic rewards for your first legend, so it’s well worth the 10 minutes. You can also test out all the different weapons in the practice range to find which ones feel best for you before you use them in a real match.
If you want to play with friends on console or mobile, make sure you turn on cross-play in the settings menu. It’s enabled by default for most new accounts, but it’s worth double checking if you can’t find your friend’s username when you try to add them. You can also link your existing console Apex account to your PC account to carry over all your skins, stats, and battle pass progress, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Finally, pick your first legend based on your playstyle. If you like playing aggressively, Wraith or Bangalore are great picks. If you prefer to support your team, pick Lifeline or Gibraltar. You can unlock more legends for free as you earn in-game currency from playing matches, so don’t stress too much about your first pick.
Getting started with Apex on PC doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as you stick to official download sources and double check your system requirements first. Now that you know how can i download apex legends on pc without running into common errors, you’re only a few minutes away from dropping into your first match. Don’t get discouraged if your first few games are messy – even the best players started out where you are now. Grab a couple of friends if you can, and have fun exploring everything the game has to offer.