How to Download and Install Apex Legends Free Guide
EA's fast-paced battle royale — unique legends, team-based action, and free to play on PC and consoles.
Visit Official Site →Is Apex Legends Free?
Yes. Apex Legends is free to play on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2. The game is funded through optional cosmetic purchases and battle passes, which do not provide combat advantages. New legends can be unlocked through gameplay or purchased, but no purchase is required to play.
System Requirements (PC)
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10 or later
- Processor: Intel Core i3-6300 3.8 GHz / AMD FX-4350 4.2 GHz (quad-core) minimum; Intel i5-3570K or equivalent recommended
- RAM: 6 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 950 / AMD Radeon HD 7790 (DirectX 12 feature level 12_0) minimum; GTX 970 / R9 290 recommended
- Storage: 75 GB available space
- Internet: Broadband connection required
How to Install Apex Legends
- Pick your launcher. On PC, Apex is free through the EA app, Steam, or the Epic Games Store. Choose whichever you already use. See our Steam install guide if you need to set Steam up first.
- Install the launcher. If you don't have one yet, download it from its official site (e.g. ea.com/ea-app).
- Sign in or create an account. You'll need an EA Account to play — this same account works across all platforms for cross-progression.
- Find Apex Legends. Search for it in the launcher's store or open your Library.
- Click Install. Confirm the install location and language, accept the terms, then start the download.
- Launch and play. Once installed, click Play — the game links to your EA Account automatically on first launch.
Getting Started
- Play the tutorials. The Firing Range and intro missions teach movement, sliding, and legend abilities — worth doing before your first real match.
- Pick a beginner-friendly Legend. Start with straightforward characters like Bangalore (her smoke and passive speed boost require no advanced game knowledge) or Pathfinder (simple grapple mobility). Avoid defensive controllers like Wattson or Caustic until you learn map flow.
- Learn the ping system. Hold the middle mouse button (or D-pad) to mark enemies, loot, and routes — it replaces voice chat for solo players.
- Adjust your settings. In Settings → Gameplay, enable Slide/Hop Up and check your sensitivity. Lower graphics quality if FPS feels low.
- Dodge early. Land at quieter spots, grab gear, and rotate toward the ring before fighting — surviving beats early kills.
Useful Tips
- 🏃 Movement is everything. Sliding, mantling, and hopping up walls make you much harder to hit — practice them in the Firing Range.
- 🎯 Master recoil control. Spray patterns are consistent per weapon; spend time learning one gun (like the R-301 or Flatline) instead of switching constantly.
- 🛡️ Manage your shields smartly. Carry shield cells/batteries and know when to disengage and reposition rather than fight at a disadvantage.
- 👥 Stick with your squad. Apex rewards teamwork — reviving teammates and pushing together wins far more fights than playing solo.
- ⚙️ Cap your FPS sensibly. Lock FPS at or slightly above your monitor's refresh rate for consistent input latency without unnecessary GPU load.
- 📅 Try limited-time modes. LTMs like Control and Gun Run are great for practicing aim without the pressure of a full battle royale.
Apex Legends vs Fortnite vs Warzone
- Apex Legends: Slower tactical pace, hero-shooter abilities, no building. Steepest learning curve but the most rewarding gunplay. Best for players who prefer positioning and teamwork over pure reflex.
- Fortnite: Fastest pace, cartoon art style, and a building mechanic that defines every fight. Most accessible entry point — best for younger players and anyone who wants a lighter tone.
- Call of Duty: Warzone: Military setting, larger map sizes, loadout drops. The closest to a traditional shooter among the three. Best for players coming from classic Call of Duty.
All three are free. Apex rewards tactical play, Fortnite rewards mechanics, and Warzone rewards map knowledge. Many players install all three and play whichever fits the mood.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- ❌ Apex won't launch from Steam. Right-click Apex in your Steam library → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files. The launcher will re-download any corrupt files.
- ⏳ Stuck on the loading screen. Usually an account-linking issue. Close the game, open the EA app, sign out, sign back in, then relaunch Apex from your launcher.
- 🐌 Low FPS on modern hardware. In Settings → Video, switch to Fullscreen (not Borderless Windowed) and set Adaptive Resolution FPS Target to "0". Disable the EA app in-game overlay if you're launching through the EA app.
- 🎮 Controller not detected. On Steam, right-click Apex → Properties → Controller and set Steam Input to "Enabled". On the EA app, plug the controller in before launching the game, and make sure Apex is not running when you connect it.