If you've ever scrolled through social media clips of people pulling off insane flip resets or chaotic 3v3 matches with friends, you've probably wondered how to join the fun. That's where knowing how to get Rocket League comes in, whether you want to play casually on your commute or grind ranked with a squad. I still remember the first time I played it at a friend's house back in 2015, and I immediately went home and bought a copy for my PS4 that same night. I've downloaded it across 6 different devices over the years, so I know all the pitfalls to avoid when setting it up. Rocket League has been free to play since 2020, but there are still plenty of sketchy sites out there promising "premium free copies" that are just malware in disguise, so this guide will walk you through every legitimate method, no tricks involved.
How to Get Rocket League Legally for Every Major Platform
Since Rocket League went free to play, the only legitimate way to get it is through official platform storefronts, no exceptions. No matter what device you use, the process of how to get Rocket League takes less than 10 minutes total, even if you have a slow internet connection. If you're wondering how to get Rocket League on Steam, you just need to search for it directly in the Steam store, add it to your cart, and check out for free. You can also grab it from the Epic Games Store if you prefer that platform, and both versions have full cross-play support so you can play with friends no matter what store they use.
For console users, the process is just as simple. PlayStation players can head to the PlayStation Store, search for Rocket League, and add it to their library directly. You don't need PlayStation Plus to play single-player modes or custom matches, but you will need it for online competitive play. Xbox users can find it in the Microsoft Store, and Xbox Live Gold is required for online multiplayer, but the base game is 100% free. Nintendo Switch users can download it from the eShop, and you don't need a paid Switch Online subscription for casual online play, though it does unlock some exclusive customization items from time to time. If you want to play on the go, Rocket League Sideswipe is the official mobile spin-off, free on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with core mechanics optimized for touch controls.
Common Scams to Avoid When Downloading Rocket League
I get dozens of DMs every month from new players who accidentally downloaded malware from a fake site promising free Rocket League credits or a "premium edition" of the game. If you're looking for how to get Rocket League without risking malware, sticking to official storefronts is the only safe way. These are the most common red flags to watch for when searching for download links:
- Any site that asks for your credit card information to download the base game: the full core game is 100% free, you never have to pay for it unless you want to buy cosmetic DLC or the Rocket Pass.
- Links shared in random Discord DMs or comment sections that claim to give you a "free download code" for Rocket League: official codes are only distributed by Psyonix or trusted partner brands, and you can only redeem them through official platform storefronts.
- Third-party apps that claim to let you play the full console/PC version of Rocket League on mobile: the only official mobile version is Sideswipe, any other app is either a scam or a pirated copy that can get your account banned.
If you ever land on a site that looks even slightly off, close it immediately. Psyonix will never ask you to share your account password or personal information outside of official login portals for the game or its associated platforms. Never share your account login details with any third-party site, even if it promises you free credits or rare in-game items, because you will almost certainly end up with a hacked account or malware on your device.
Bonus Content You Can Unlock Right After You Install Rocket League
Many new players who are just learning how to get Rocket League don't know about these free rewards, so make sure you claim them before they expire. Once you've got the game installed, you don't have to start with the basic default car if you don't want to. There are a bunch of free, legitimate bonus items you can unlock in minutes without spending any real money.
First, link your platform account to your Epic Games account to get cross-progression access, so you can carry over all your items and rank across any device you play on. You'll also get a free cross-progression reward pack with a set of custom decals and a boost trail when you link your account for the first time. If you have an active Amazon Prime subscription, you can claim free monthly Rocket League cosmetic drops through Prime Gaming, including limited-edition cars, decals, and goal explosions that you can't get anywhere else. New players can also complete the new player challenge set in their first 10 matches to unlock extra customization items, 1000 credits, and a free battle pass tier skip. None of these rewards require you to spend real money, they're just designed to help new players feel more invested in the game from the start.
Quick Setup Tips to Get Playing Faster After Download
A lot of new players who just finished learning how to get Rocket League skip adjusting their settings, but that's a mistake that will make it way harder to learn the game's mechanics. I've set up Rocket League on so many devices that I've got the post-install process down to under 5 minutes, so these tips will help you skip the boring setup and jump straight into a match.
First, adjust your camera settings before you play your first match. The default camera settings are way too zoomed in, and they make it hard to see the whole field and track other players. I recommend setting your camera distance to 270, field of view to 110, and camera shake to 0, that's the most common setup used by pro players and casual players alike. I used to play with the default camera settings for my first 20 hours of play, and once I switched to the pro setup, my rank jumped two whole divisions in a week. It makes that big of a difference.
If you plan to play with friends, create a party immediately after you log in, so you don't get thrown into a random solo match by accident. You can also turn off cross-play if you only want to match with players on the same platform as you, though I recommend leaving it on because it cuts down on queue times a lot. If you're on PC, make sure you turn off vsync if you have a high refresh rate monitor, it will make the game feel way smoother and more responsive when you're going for aerials or dribbles.
At the end of the day, learning how to get Rocket League is the first step to joining one of the most fun, active gaming communities out there. There's a reason the game has stayed popular for almost 10 years: it's easy to learn, impossible to master, and every match feels different, whether you're playing casual 2v2 with friends or grinding for Grand Champion rank. Just make sure you stick to official storefronts, avoid the common scams we talked about, and take a minute to adjust your settings before you play your first match. Before you know it, you'll be pulling off your first flip resets and scoring game-winning goals with your squad.
