Can You Use an Xbox or PSN Gift Card on Steam? (And Can You Swap One?)
October 26, 2026 · Updated November 2, 2026
Xbox and PlayStation gift cards can't be used on Steam: Steam only accepts Steam gift cards and Steam Wallet codes. An Xbox card adds money to a Microsoft account, and a PlayStation Store card adds money to a PlayStation wallet. Neither can be converted into Steam money, and there's no official exchange.
Key facts
- Each gift card only works in its own store: Steam, the Microsoft Store and Xbox, or the PlayStation Store.
- Xbox gift card balance can pay for PC Game Pass and PC games in the Microsoft Store and Xbox app.
- Sony's PC ports are sold through Steam and Epic, so PSN wallet money can't pay for them.
- None of Valve, Microsoft or Sony will swap a rival's card. A shop may exchange an unused card if you have the receipt.
- Gift card swaps with strangers are a common scam, because a redeemed code can't be reversed.
That doesn't mean the card is wasted. Here's what it can do and your realistic options.
What an Xbox gift card can pay for
An Xbox gift card becomes Microsoft account balance. That balance works on Xbox consoles, in the Microsoft Store on Windows, and on the Microsoft Store website. If you're a PC gamer, that's more useful than it sounds:
- PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions. See paying for Game Pass with gift cards.
- PC games sold in the Microsoft Store and the Xbox app, many of which are also on Steam.
- In-game currency for games you play through the Xbox app, like Minecraft.
The full list is in what you can buy with an Xbox gift card.
What a PSN gift card can pay for
A PlayStation Store card only works in the PlayStation Store, for PS5 and PS4 games, add-ons, in-game currency and PlayStation Plus. PlayStation games released on PC are sold on Steam and Epic, and PSN wallet money can't buy them. Details in what you can buy with a PSN gift card.
Got the wrong card? Your real options
Return or exchange with the shop. Most retailers won't refund gift cards once they're activated, but some will help with an unscratched card and a receipt, especially soon after purchase. It's worth asking.
Gift it to someone who can use it. A PSN or Xbox code can be passed to a friend or family member on that platform. Make sure their account is in the same country as the card. Here's why: PSN region rules and Xbox region rules.
Buy a gift on that platform. If you have a friend on Xbox or PlayStation, you can spend the balance on a game for them. Our guide to gifting games on Steam, PlayStation and Xbox shows how.
Why "I'll swap my Xbox card for your Steam card" is risky
Gift card swapping is one of the most common scams in gaming communities. The pattern goes like this:
- Someone offers a card worth more than yours, like a $30 Xbox card for your $10 Steam card.
- They give a believable reason: a region problem, a "Steam glitch", a parent who bought the wrong card.
- They ask you to send your code first.
- The code you get back is already used, fake, or never arrives. Your Steam card is gone, and there's no way to get it back.
Gift card codes work like cash. Once someone has redeemed yours, neither Valve, Microsoft nor Sony will reverse it. Any offer that sounds too generous, any request to go first, and any "global code" claim is a red flag. Steam codes are tied to a currency, so "global Steam codes" aren't a real thing.
The same tricks show up as fake marketplaces, and we break them down in gift card payment scams and is it safe to buy discounted gift cards?
The easy fix: pick the right card from the start
If you earn gift cards rather than buy them, you can just choose the right one. On XPReward, all three are in the store at one fixed rate of 144 points per dollar, so a $25 card of any type costs 3,600 points. Pick the platform you actually play on, and the card for your account's country.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add an Xbox gift card to my Steam wallet?
No. Steam only redeems Steam Wallet codes and Steam gift cards. Xbox cards can only be redeemed to a Microsoft account.
Can I buy Steam games with a PSN card?
No. PSN cards only work in the PlayStation Store. Even PlayStation games released on PC are bought through Steam or Epic, with their own payment methods.
Is there an official way to exchange gift cards between platforms?
No. Valve, Microsoft and Sony don't exchange each other's cards. Some shops will exchange an unused card with a receipt, but that's up to the retailer.
Can I use an Xbox gift card for PC games?
Yes, for PC games sold in the Microsoft Store and the Xbox app, and for PC Game Pass. It can't be used on Steam or Epic.
Where can I get a Steam gift card without paying?
On XPReward you earn points from offers and swap them for Steam gift cards. Sign up free and you start with 250 points.
Sources
Cross-store gift card facts checked on 26 October 2026 against: