If you’ve spent hours scrolling TikTok or Twitch watching your favorite creators pull off 360 no-scopes and clutch team revives in Apex Legends, you’ve probably asked yourself, how do i download apex legends on pc to join the fun too? The free-to-play battle royale has been a fan favorite for years thanks to its fast-paced action, unique character abilities, and regular content drops that keep matches feeling fresh every time you queue up. But if you’re new to PC gaming, navigating different launchers, system checks, and installation prompts can feel overwhelming at first. I’ve helped dozens of my friends install Apex Legends on their PCs over the years, so we’ve put together this no-fluff guide to walk you through every step, plus fix common hiccups that might slow you down.
How Do I Download Apex Legends on PC: Step-by-Step for All Platforms
Apex Legends is available for free on three major PC launchers: the EA App, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. All three versions are identical in terms of gameplay, content, and cross-play support, so you can pick whichever launcher you already use most often to avoid downloading extra software you don’t need. Before you start the download, take care of these quick prep steps to make the process as smooth as possible:
- Free up at least 80 GB of storage space on your PC. Apex Legends receives regular seasonal updates that can be 10 to 20 GB each, so leaving extra room will prevent you from having to delete files mid-update later.
- Confirm you have a stable internet connection. The initial download is roughly 60 GB, so a wired Ethernet connection will be faster and less likely to cut out mid-process than Wi-Fi.
- Create an EA account if you don’t already have one. All versions of Apex Legends require an EA account to log in, even if you download it through Steam or Epic, so having this set up first will save you time later.
If you already play other EA games like FIFA or Battlefield, the EA App is probably the most convenient option for you. You won’t have to link any extra accounts beyond the one you already use, and you’ll get automatic updates for the game as soon as they go live. Just head to the official EA website to download the launcher if you don’t have it already, follow the prompts to install it, then search for Apex Legends in the store tab. Click the “Download” button, select which drive you want to install the game on, and the launcher will handle the rest.
Steam is the most popular option for most PC players, especially if you already have a large library of games on the platform. The process is even simpler here: open your Steam client, type Apex Legends into the search bar at the top of the store page, click on the game listing, then hit the blue “Play Game” button. The game will automatically be added to your Steam library, and the download will start immediately. The first time you launch the game after it installs, you’ll get a pop-up asking you to link your EA account. Just log in with the EA account you want to use, and you’ll be all set.
If you got free games from the Epic Games Store in the past and use it regularly, that’s another perfectly valid option. Open the Epic launcher, go to the store, search for Apex Legends, click the “Get” button (it’s always free, so you won’t have to enter any payment info), and add it to your library. Head to your library tab, click on Apex Legends, and start the download. Just like with Steam, you’ll need to link your EA account the first time you launch the game.
Minimum and Recommended PC System Requirements for Apex Legends
A lot of new players assume they need a high-end gaming PC to run Apex Legends, but that’s not true at all. The game is optimized really well, so even older budget PCs can run it smoothly if you adjust the settings correctly. If you’re not sure whether your PC meets the requirements, you can use free online tools to scan your system and check compatibility before you start the download, so you don’t waste time downloading a game you can’t run.
The minimum system requirements will let you run the game at 720p resolution and 30 FPS on low settings, which is enough to learn the basics and have fun. You’ll need an Intel Core i3-6300 3.8GHz or AMD FX-4350 4.2 GHz CPU, 6 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GT 640 or Radeon HD 7730 GPU, and 64-bit Windows 10 as your operating system. If your PC is right at the minimum requirement line, you’ll want to turn off background apps like Chrome or Discord before launching to avoid lag or crashes.
For a much smoother experience at 1080p resolution and 60 FPS on medium to high settings, aim for the recommended requirements. These include an Intel i5 3570K or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 GPU, and 64-bit Windows 10. If you have a higher-end PC, you can crank settings to max, enable DLSS or FSR for even higher FPS, and run the game at 1440p or 4K resolution if your monitor supports it. If you’re playing on a laptop, make sure it’s plugged in while you’re downloading and playing — most laptops throttle performance when running on battery to save power, which can lead to slower download speeds and laggy gameplay.
Common Download and Installation Errors (And How to Fix Them Fast)
Even if you follow all the prep steps perfectly, you might run into a small error here and there during the download process. Most of these issues have super simple fixes, so you don’t need to panic if something goes wrong. The first thing you should try any time you hit an error is restarting your launcher and your PC. 90% of small installation issues are fixed with a simple restart, so don’t skip that step before you start digging into more complicated fixes.
Slow download speed is the most common issue people face. This is usually because your internet is being used by other devices on your network, or your launcher has a download speed limit turned on by default. To fix it, pause any other downloads or streaming on your network, then go to your launcher’s settings page and make sure the download speed limit is disabled. If you’re on Wi-Fi, moving closer to your router or switching to a wired Ethernet connection can also double or triple your download speed.
Another common error is the “insufficient storage” prompt, even if you know you have enough space on your drive. This usually happens for one of two reasons: either temporary files are taking up hidden space on your drive, or your drive is formatted in FAT32, which can’t handle individual files larger than 4 GB. To fix it, run the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool to clear temporary files and old update downloads. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to reformat your drive to NTFS (make sure you back up all your files first before reformatting, as it will erase everything on the drive).
If you get an “EA account link failed” error when you first launch the game, that means you already linked an EA account to your Steam or Epic account in the past, and you’re trying to log in with a different one. If you remember the old EA account, just log in with that one. If you don’t have access to the old account anymore, you can contact EA support to unlink it from your Steam/Epic account so you can link a new one. Never download Apex Legends from third-party websites, they often come with malware or stolen account credentials, and you risk getting permanently banned from the game entirely.
Post-Installation Tips to Get Your First Win Faster
Once the game finishes installing and you log in for the first time, it can be tempting to jump straight into a match and start fighting. But taking 10 or 15 minutes to set things up correctly will make your first few matches way more fun, and help you avoid getting frustrated by constant losses.
First, run the full training mode. It only takes 10 minutes, and it teaches you all the basic mechanics like movement, shooting, looting, and using character abilities. Skipping training means you’ll fumble with basic controls during your first match, and you’ll likely get wiped by other players before you even figure out how to swap weapons. Stick to characters like Bangalore or Gibraltar for your first 10 matches — their abilities are straightforward and forgiving, unlike more complex legends like Horizon or Crypto that require more game knowledge to use well. Bangalore’s smoke grenades are perfect for escaping bad fights, and Gibraltar’s shield can protect your whole team during firefights.
Next, adjust your settings before you queue up for a match. If you’re using a controller, turn on aim assist to make shooting easier. If you’re using a mouse and keyboard, test out different sensitivity levels in the training range until you find one that lets you turn around quickly and hit targets accurately. Turn off any unnecessary visual effects like motion blur or depth of field, as they can distract you during fights and make it harder to see enemies from far away.
A lot of new players make the mistake of jumping straight into ranked matches as soon as they install the game, but that’s a surefire way to get frustrated. Stick to casual unranked matches for your first 20 to 30 games, so you can learn the maps, weapon recoil patterns, and legend abilities without worrying about losing rank points. You can also watch short tutorial clips on YouTube for specific mechanics like slide jumping or peeking, which will give you a big advantage over other new players who don’t take the time to learn those small tricks. Play with friends if you can too — Apex is a team-based game, so playing with people you know will make communication easier, and you’ll learn faster than playing with random teammates who don’t use mics.
At the end of the day, figuring out how do i download Apex Legends on PC is way simpler than it looks once you know what steps to follow. Whether you pick the EA App, Steam, or Epic Games Store, you’ll be dropping into King’s Canyon and fighting for that champion spot in under an hour if you follow our guide. Don’t get discouraged if your first few matches don’t go as planned — even the best players started out getting wiped by squads with more experience. The only thing that matters is that you’re having fun, and learning a little bit more every time you queue up.