Download & Installation
Download & Installation Guide for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
This guide covers all officially supported platforms for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (FFXIV), including Windows (PC), Steam, Epic Games Store, Mac, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox Series X|S. Note: The game does not have native versions for Nintendo Switch or mobile devices. All installations require a Square Enix account and a valid subscription for full access (free trial available up to level 70).
1. System Requirements
#### Windows PC / Mac
| Component | Minimum (Windows) | Recommended (Windows) | Mac (minimum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 8.1 64-bit (Windows 10/11 64-bit required after Nov 2024) | Windows 10/11 64-bit | macOS 10.15 Catalina (10.14 Mojave for older builds) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-2500 / AMD FX-6100 | Intel Core i7-3770 / AMD FX-8350 or better | Intel Core i5 (2.4 GHz) |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 / AMD Radeon R7 260X (DirectX 11 support) | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 480 (or better) | 2 GB VRAM (e.g., Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB for integrated) |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 | Metal |
| Storage | 80 GB SSD (100 GB during installation) | 80 GB SSD | 80 GB |
| Internet | Broadband | Broadband | Broadband |
#### PlayStation 4/5
- PS4: 45 GB free space (excluding system software). Requires PS4 firmware 6.00 or higher.
- PS5: 45 GB free space. Compatible with PS4 version via backward compatibility, but a native PS5 version is available (separate download).
- Requires 45 GB free space. Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Core is NOT required for FFXIV (the game does not need an active subscription to Xbox services, but a Square Enix subscription is needed).
- Free Trial: No purchase required; create a trial account.
- Full Game: Purchase a license from the official store or authorized retailers (Steam, Epic, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Square Enix Store).
- PS4:
- PS5:
#### Xbox Series X|S
2. Account Requirements
Before installing, you must create a Square Enix account and register the game or free trial. Visit [https://sqex.to/ffxiv](https://sqex.to/ffxiv) and click "Register." You will need a valid email address. During installation on any platform, you will be prompted to log in with this account.
Important: Steam and standalone Windows licenses are NOT cross-compatible. If you buy the game on Steam, you must always launch via Steam. The same applies to Epic Games Store and the official Windows version. PlayStation and Xbox versions are exclusive to their ecosystems.
3. Download & Installation by Platform
#### 3.1 Windows (Standalone / Official Launcher)
1. Go to [https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/](https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/) and click "Download" (or visit the Free Trial page).
2. Download the installer executable (FFXIV_Setup.exe).
3. Run the installer. It will download the launcher (~2 MB).
4. Launch the launcher; it will download the full game files (approx. 80 GB). Ensure you have sufficient disk space.
5. During the initial download, you can log in with your Square Enix account.
6. Once the download completes, the game will patch to the latest version. This may take a while.
#### 3.2 Steam
1. Install Steam and log in.
2. Search for "Final Fantasy XIV Online" (the free trial is a separate product: "Final Fantasy XIV Online Free Trial").
3. Click "Play Game" (for owned licenses) or "Add to Library" (free trial).
4. The installation will begin. Steam will download the FFXIV launcher and then the full game files.
5. You must launch the game through Steam every time; your Steam account is linked to your Square Enix account.
#### 3.3 Epic Games Store
1. Install Epic Games Launcher and log in.
2. Search for "Final Fantasy XIV Online" (or the free trial if available in your region).
3. Click "Get" (free trial) or "Buy" (full game).
4. Install the game. The launcher will appear after initial download.
5. Log in with your Square Enix account. Note: Epic version is a separate license; you cannot use a retail Windows key with it.
#### 3.4 Mac
1. Visit [https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/](https://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/) and select the Mac version download.
2. Download the DMG file.
3. Open the DMG and drag the FFXIV launcher to Applications.
4. Run the launcher. It will download the full game (approx. 80 GB).
5. Log in with your Square Enix account.
#### 3.5 PlayStation 4/5
1. Turn on your PS4 and log in to your PSN account.
2. Go to PlayStation Store and search for "Final Fantasy XIV Online" (or the free trial).
3. Select the version and click "Download."
4. The console will download the client (approx. 45 GB).
5. Once installed, launch the game. You will be prompted to link your PSN account with your Square Enix account via a one-time code shown on screen. Enter it on the Square Enix account management site.
2. You can also use the PS4 version via backward compatibility.
#### 3.6 Xbox Series X|S
1. Ensure your Xbox is updated and you have a Microsoft account.
2. Open the Microsoft Store or search via Game Pass (note: FFXIV is not included in Game Pass, but you can purchase it).
3. Search for "Final Fantasy XIV Online" (or free trial).
4. Purchase or install the free trial. The download size is approx. 45 GB.
5. After installation, launch the game. You will see a one-time code to link your Xbox and Square Enix accounts. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. First Launch Setup
Once the game client is fully downloaded and patched, you will see the login screen.
1. Log in with your Square Enix account credentials.
2. Select a data center (logical grouping of servers) and a world (server) to create your character. Free trial accounts can access all non-congested worlds.
3. Create your character (race, class, appearance). You can change your class later.
4. Start the tutorial – the game will guide you through basic controls.
5. For console players, ensure you have a compatible keyboard and mouse (optional) if you want to use keyboard chat. A controller works natively.
5. Common Installation Errors & Fixes
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Error 2002 (World Full) | Server congestion. | Wait and retry later. Free trial users may have login caps. |
| Error 30413 (Launcher fails to update) | Antivirus blocking or corrupted launcher files. | Disable antivirus temporarily, run launcher as administrator, delete folder `C:\\Program Files (x86)\\SquareEnix\\Final Fantasy XIV - A Realm Reborn\\boot` and re-launch. |
| Error 90000 (Connection timeout) | Network issue, VPN, or firewall. | Check firewall settings (allow ffxiv.exe and boot.exe). Try using a VPN if ISP throttles. |
| Disk write error | Insufficient disk space or permissions. | Free up space (at least 100 GB) or run launcher as admin. Ensure drive is not full. |
| DirectX Error | Outdated graphics drivers or missing DirectX. | Update GPU drivers. Install DirectX from Microsoft. For Windows 10/11, DirectX 11.3 is included. |
| Mac installation error | macOS security preventing unverified software. | Right-click the app and select "Open" from the context menu. Temporarily disable Gatekeeper. |
| PS4/5 error NP-XXXXX | Network issues or PSN maintenance. | Check PSN status, restart console, test network connection in settings. |
| Xbox error 0x87e0000f | Installation corrupted. | Uninstall and reinstall. Clear persistent storage: Settings > Devices & streaming > Blu-ray > Persistent Storage > Clear. |
| Steam/Epic launch error: "This account does not own the game" | License mismatch between platform and Square Enix account. | Ensure you purchased on the correct platform. If you own a retail (non-Steam) code, you cannot use it on Steam. You need a separate purchase for each platform. |
6. Post-Installation Verification
After installation, verify that the game runs correctly:
1. Patch status: Launch the game and check the version number in the launcher (top-left corner). It should match the current patch (e.g., 6.58 as of writing).
2. Login test: Attempt to log in and access the character creation screen. If you have an existing character, ensure you can enter the game.
3. Performance: Run the benchmark (only available for PC/Mac) if desired. In-game you can adjust graphics settings.
4. Sound and chat: Test audio and text input. On consoles, test controller vibration.
5. Backup: Make a note of your Square Enix account details. For PC, you can backup the `FFXIV` folder in `Documents\\My Games` to preserve UI settings.
7. Additional Tips
- Cross-platform progress: Your character data and progress are stored on Square Enix servers, not on the local console/PC. You can play on multiple platforms as long as you buy the game on each (but only one subscription is required). Free trial progress transfers to the full game if you upgrade on the same platform family.
- Storage considerations: After installation, the game may require additional space for patches. Keep at least 110 GB free on PC.
- Language: The game supports English, French, German, and Japanese. The launcher language can be changed in the launcher settings.
- For the free trial: You do not need to purchase anything, but you must create a Square Enix account. The trial is limited to level 70 and certain social features (no trading, no market board). You can upgrade to full game at any time.
This guide is accurate as of 2025. Always refer to the official [Final Fantasy XIV Support](https://support.na.square-enix.com/) for the latest updates.