EA Desktop is a free video game utility tool that enables you to easily access all EA gaming content. Developed by Electronic Arts, this app is the official PC launcher and the new iteration of Origin.
How much does EA Desktop cost?
EA Desktop is completely free to download and use. There are no hidden fees or subscriptions required. The basic EA Desktop app allows you to access and play any games you have purchased from EA, as well as try out limited trials of certain games.
Upgrading to an EA Play subscription for $4.99/month or $29.99/year unlocks additional benefits like full game trials, discounts, and monthly reward packs. But the core EA Desktop app is 100% free.
How do I get EA Desktop?
Getting started with EA Desktop is quick and easy:
Go to the EA Desktop website and click "Get it on Origin" to download the installer.
Run the installer and follow the prompts to install EA Desktop.
Open EA Desktop and sign in with your EA account.
Any eligible games you own will automatically appear in your library, ready to play!
You can also browse and purchase new games directly through the Desktop app.
What is the point of EA Desktop?
EA Desktop aims to provide a faster, simpler, more reliable experience than the older Origin platform. Key goals and benefits include:
Streamlined interface – Easy to find games and launch quickly.
Enhanced social features – Improved friends lists and cross-play support.
Reliability – Fewer bugs and crashes compared to Origin.
Speed – Faster navigation and downloads.
Future foundation – Desktop will serve as the hub for all future EA/Origin games and services.
Do you have to pay for EA Play on PC?
If you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, EA Play is included at no extra cost as part of your membership. This grants access to exclusive free trials, a library of EA titles, and monthly reward packs.
If you don‘t have Game Pass, you can purchase an EA Play subscription directly for $4.99/month or $29.99/year. This gives you EA Play benefits when using EA Desktop on a PC.
EA Play is not required to use the basic Desktop app features for free. But it does offer great added value.
How To Download The EA App For Windows
Downloading the EA Desktop app on Windows 10 is quick and easy:
- Go to ea.com/ea-app-download and click the "Get it on Origin" button.
- In the pop-up window, click "Download Now" to save the installer file.
- Once downloaded, double click to run the installer and follow the prompts.
- When installation is complete, the EA Desktop app icon will appear on your desktop and start menu.
- Launch EA Desktop, sign in to your EA account, and enjoy your gaming library!
The entire process only takes a few minutes. EA Desktop is lightweight and should install smoothly on most modern Windows 10 machines.
Do you still have to pay for EA Play?
Yes, access to EA Play comes with a subscription fee:
- EA Play on PC: $4.99/month or $29.99/year
- EA Play Pro on PC: $14.99/month or $99.99/year
However, if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, EA Play is included at no extra cost as part of your membership.
So you can get all the benefits of EA Play on PC without paying extra if you already have Game Pass. Otherwise, an EA Play subscription must be purchased separately.
Do you need EA Play on Steam?
You do not need an EA Play subscription to play EA games purchased on Steam. However, there are some benefits to linking your Steam account with an EA Play membership:
- Access to exclusive full game trials of new EA titles
- Monthly reward packs and member discounts
- Early access trials for upcoming releases
- Progress and achievement syncing across platforms
So EA Play can enhance your experience with EA games on Steam, but is not required. You can purchase EA Play through Steam, Origin, Xbox, PlayStation, or as a standalone membership.
Is EA Desktop better than Origin?
In general, EA Desktop provides a smoother, faster experience compared to the older Origin platform:
Interface – EA Desktop has a cleaner, more user-friendly design.
Speed – Faster navigation, downloads, and game launching.
Reliability – Fewer reported bugs, crashes, and errors.
Social – Improved social features and cross-play support.
Future-proof – Desktop will be the hub for all upcoming EA/Origin content.
However, Origin still supports a few older EA titles that have not yet migrated to Desktop. So it comes down to your specific gaming needs. But for most players, EA Desktop is superior.
Can I uninstall EA Desktop?
Yes, you can easily uninstall EA Desktop:
- Open the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features
- Right click on "EA Desktop" and select Uninstall
- Click Yes to confirm you want to uninstall EA Desktop
- The app will be removed from your computer
You can also use the EA Desktop settings menu to initiate an uninstall. This will completely remove the app and all associated background processes and services.
Do I still need Origin if I have EA Desktop?
EA Desktop is gradually replacing Origin as EA‘s PC gaming platform. Once you have installed EA Desktop, you no longer require the Origin client.
All your Origin games and data will transfer over to the new Desktop app. And going forward, new EA releases will be available only on Desktop, not Origin.
You can safely uninstall Origin after migrating your library to EA Desktop. However, a few older titles may still require Origin to play for now. But Desktop will soon become the single unified EA gaming client.
Why can't i install EA Desktop?
Common reasons EA Desktop may fail to install and how to fix:
System requirements – Ensure your PC meets the minimum specs needed to run EA Desktop.
Run as Admin – Right click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator".
Firewall/AV settings – Add exceptions for EA Desktop executables in your firewall and anti-virus software.
Corrupted installer – Download a fresh installer file and disable your AV during install.
Windows compatibility – Try adjusting compatibility mode settings if installing on an older OS.
Stuck/incomplete install – Use Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall to remove incomplete instances and retry.
EA Help – Contact EA‘s customer support for further troubleshooting help if issues persist.
Can you buy games on EA Desktop?
Yes, EA Desktop has an integrated storefront that allows you to easily browse and purchase EA games digitally right from the app.
Key features of buying on EA Desktop:
Securely purchase and download games without leaving the client.
Full selection of new and classic EA titles across genres.
Purchase game extras like DLCs, season passes, and in-game currency.
Link your Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Steam accounts to share libraries.
Automatic updates of purchased titles.
Seamless integration into your EA Desktop library and gaming experience.
EA Play members get discounts on purchases and other benefits.
So EA Desktop provides PC gamers with a convenient one-stop shop for building their EA game collection.
Is EA app the same as EA Desktop?
The EA Desktop app represents a complete overhaul of the previous Origin client. While EA Desktop essentially supersedes Origin, they are not exactly the same platform:
Differences:
- New user interface and underlying framework
- Enhanced navigation, speed, reliability
- Streamlined installs/updates
- Tighter integration with console ecosystems
- Improved cross-platform and social features
Similarities:
- Central hub for EA games on PC
- Access your EA library and make purchases
- Launch and update your installed titles
- Link accounts across platforms
- EA Play membership management
So while EA Desktop succeeds Origin, it is more than just a rebrand – it delivers meaningful improvements under the hood and to the user experience.
Is EA Desktop still in beta?
As of August 2022, EA Desktop is no longer in beta. The initial testing period has concluded, and EA Desktop has now fully replaced Origin as EA‘s primary PC gaming client.
Some key milestones:
2020: EA Desktop beta testing begins
2021: All EA games become available on Desktop
Aug 2022: EA Desktop officially exits beta
Oct 2022: Origin retired by EA
The move out of beta means EA Desktop has been tested thoroughly, had bugs addressed, and is now ready for full official release. Existing Origin users will be prompted to migrate over to Desktop through 2022 and 2023.
Is EA getting rid of Origin?
Yes, EA is phasing out Origin in favor of the new EA Desktop platform. Here is the transition timeline:
Aug 2022 – EA Desktop exits public beta testing
Oct 2022 – No new content will be published on Origin
Early 2023 – Origin client will be discontinued by EA
2022-2023 – All existing Origin users will be migrated to EA Desktop
So Origins is being retired in stages. By 2023, EA Desktop will be the sole PC client for EA games. But the transition is designed to be seamless for gamers, with all titles, purchases, and data carrying over to Desktop.
Why is EA replacing Origin?
There are several motivations behind EA‘s decision to replace Origin with EA Desktop:
Streamline their PC gaming platform across EA studios
Deliver a faster, more reliable user experience
Enhanced social features and cross-platform integration
Transition to a more lightweight and nimble application framework
Increased backend flexibility for future innovation
Consolidate features from various clients into one unified hub
Phase out outdated technologies in favor of modern solutions
Overall, EA Desktop represents a major overhaul and improvement of their aging Origin client for the benefit of PC gamers. The rebranding also helps signal meaningful changes under the hood.
How do I cancel my EA Desktop subscription?
To cancel an EA Play subscription purchased through EA Desktop:
Open EA Desktop and go to the Account Settings menu
Select "EA Play Settings"
Click on "Manage Subscription"
Choose which subscription plan you want to cancel
Click the "Cancel Subscription" button
Confirm the cancellation when prompted
Your subscription will remain active until the next billing date, when non-renewal will take effect. You can always resubscribe in the future if you change your mind!
Can you use EA Desktop offline?
Unlike Origin, EA Desktop does not currently support offline play for EA games. An active internet connection is required to access and play titles through the EA Desktop client.
Being online enables features like:
- Multiplayer and matchmaking
- Cloud saves synchronization
- Purchase verification and DRM protection
- Automatic updates to games
- In-game challenges and unlockables
- Social tools and cross-platform linkage
EA has not indicated plans to add offline support to Desktop. So for the time being, an internet connection is necessary to play EA games on PC via Desktop.
How do I disable EA Desktop?
If you wish to temporarily disable EA Desktop:
Right click the EA Desktop icon and select "Quit EA Desktop"
Open the Task Manager and confirm no EA Desktop processes are running
Launch the Startup folder and disable the EA Desktop app shortcut
This will prevent Desktop from automatically launching at system startup. You can always manually relaunch it when desired.
For full removal, go to Programs & Features in the Control Panel and uninstall EA Desktop. This will free up disk space used by the program until you decide to reinstall it.
Should I buy EA Play on Origin or Steam?
If your goal is to optimize integration and benefits with EA Desktop, it is better to purchase your EA Play membership directly through Origin rather than Steam.
Origin
- Full integration with EA Desktop
- Largest game catalog availability
- Early access to new titles
- Exclusive challenges and unlockables
Steam
- Allows play without Origin installed
- Unified with existing Steam library
- Workshop and trading card features
So while Steam support is convenient for some, getting EA Play on Origin provides the deepest level of platform integration. But check which storefront offers your desired EA titles.
Can Origin and EA Desktop play together?
Currently, you cannot have both the Origin and EA Desktop clients open and running at the same time. They conflict with each other.
However, you can have both clients installed side-by-side during the transition process:
Origin will continue to provide access to older games not yet migrated to EA Desktop
EA Desktop allows you to play and access new titles
But only one client can be open at a time. As the library merges continue, Origin will eventually be phased out entirely in favor of EA Desktop.
Which is better EA app or Steam?
For playing EA games, the EA Desktop App generally provides a better experience than Steam:
Tighter platform integration with EA services
Easier access to EA titles, DLCs, and promotions
Cloud save synchronization across devices
Achievement and friend tracking
Early trials of new releases
However, Steam offers wider general PC gaming features:
Larger game library beyond just EA
Workshop for mods and user-gen content
In-game Steam Community Group features
Trading cards and other metagame elements
So EA Desktop is tailored specifically to EA titles, while Steam provides a wider platform. Choose based on your preferences and library.
What does EA Play cost?
EA Play has two membership tiers available:
EA Play – $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year
Early trials of new releases
Access to a Vault of older EA games
Exclusive challenges and monthly content drops
Discounts on purchases
EA Play Pro – $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year
Full early access to all new EA titles
Access to entire EA catalog, not just Vault
Cosmetic and currency packs
More substantial member discounts
EA Play is also included free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate/PC subscriptions. So you can access EA Play benefits without paying extra in that case.
How do I transfer games from Origin to EA desktop?
The migration process from Origin to EA Desktop for your game library happens automatically:
Install and log into EA Desktop using your existing EA account.
EA Desktop will automatically begin scanning your Origin folder and importing any installed games.
Your entire Origin library, including uninstalled titles, will appear in the EA Desktop "Games Collection" tab.
You can then install or uninstall titles normally through EA Desktop.
No manual transfer of files is required. EA Desktop handles everything in the background when linked to your EA account. Just keep both clients installed during the transition period.
Are EA and Steam linked?
EA and Steam work together to connect your game libraries across the platforms:
Linking accounts allows you to access EA titles purchased on Steam within the EA Desktop client
Steam achievements and play time carry over into EA Desktop
Your friends list is shared between EA and Steam
To link:
Open an EA game on Steam and ensure you are logged into your EA account
A pop-up will prompt you to link accounts
Confirm the linkage process
Once linked, you can access your content freely across both clients. Progress and friends sync automatically.
What does EA Play cost on PC?
EA Play for PC is available in two membership tiers:
EA Play – $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year
EA Play Pro – $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year
EA Play is also included free with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription.
So you can access EA Play on PC either by:
Purchasing a standalone membership
Via an existing Xbox Game Pass subscription
This allows you flexible options based on your budget and existing subscriptions.
