Steam Achievement Manager Guide
Steam Achievement Manager is a free tool that lets you lock, unlock, or reset Steam achievements without launching the game itself. Whether you’re dealing with a bugged achievement that never unlocked, progress that stopped tracking correctly, or simply want to modify your achievement history, the tool provides a quick way to manage your Steam achievements. The whole process takes only a few minutes, but many players get stuck because they’re not sure where to start or what the different options actually do.
Here, we’ll explain how to use Steam Achievement Manager step by step, covering setup, game selection, achievement management, and protected achievements.
How to Use Steam Achievement Manager (Step-by-Step)
SAM is best used for offline and single-player games. Online titles require caution, as using third-party tools with multiplayer or VAC-secured games is generally not recommended. The tool works through Steam’s achievement interfaces and can unlock bugged achievements that never trigger.
SAM cannot unlock “protected” achievements tied to game servers, online progression, or other server-side checks. For supported achievements, here’s how to use them safely:
Download & Set Up Before Use
- Download the latest version of Steam Achievement Manager (SAM) from the official website or GitHub repository.
- Exit any active multiplayer game before opening SAM.
- Back up your save files, or test SAM on a secondary account if you have one.
Once that’s done, you can lock or unlock any supported Steam achievement that is not protected by following the steps below.
Step 1: Open SAM and Load Your Library
- Launch SAM.Picker.exe after downloading and extracting the program.
- The application detects the Steam games linked to your account and loads them into the library.
- You do not need a game to be installed for SAM to display its achievements, though some titles may not appear automatically.
Step 2: Select or Find a Game to Modify
- Scroll through your library or search for a specific game title.
- Click the desired game to load its full list of achievements.
- If a game in your Steam library does not appear in SAM:
- On the right, click “Add Game.”
- Open the game’s Steam Store page and copy the App ID (the number at the end of the URL).
- Paste the App ID into SAM and click “Add Game.”
The game will then appear in your SAM library and be ready for achievement management.
Step 3: Review Achievement Status
- Each game displays a complete list of achievements.
- Each achievement has a checkbox indicating whether it is earned or unearned.
- Use this view to see which achievements are earned, unearned, or currently locked.
Step 4: Modify Achievements and Adjust Settings
Now, you can view, unlock, remove, or reset achievements for any Steam game in your library. Use Offline Mode in Steam when applying changes to minimize risks. All changes apply instantly once committed. Here’s how:
Unlock a Single Achievement:
- Double-click a game to display its achievement list.
- Wait for the achievements to load, check the box next to the desired achievement, and click Commit Changes.
- A disclaimer appears asking you to acknowledge responsibility for the changes. If you continue, Steam usually registers the achievement immediately, and you may hear the Steam notification sound.
- If an achievement turns red, it usually means it is protected or cannot be modified through SAM.
Unlock All Achievements at Once:
- Open the game in SAM and click Unlock All.
- Press Commit Changes to apply the changes. Steam will update your profile to reflect 100% completion if all achievements are successfully unlocked. This is best used for testing or recovery purposes, but use it cautiously.
Reset or Lock Achievements:
- Uncheck individual achievements to remove them, or click Lock All to lock all achievements for the game.
- Click Commit Changes after selecting your options. Steam updates your achievement status accordingly.
Modify Stats:
- Access the Stats tab to edit values, such as kills or other game-specific statistics.
- Avoid unrealistic numbers/values, as some games may ignore or overwrite unsupported stat changes.
Every time you choose to unlock or lock an achievement, click Commit Changes. Steam will usually register the update immediately and synchronize the achievement status with your account. Restart Steam if the changes do not appear right away.
Step 5: Verify Changes and Exit
- Open Steam to confirm the achievements appear correctly on your profile or the game’s achievement page.
- Close SAM after making your changes, and restart Steam if the achievements do not appear immediately to complete synchronization.
How to unlock Protected Achievements?
Protected achievements are Steam achievements controlled by the game’s own servers, not your local Steam client. These SAM-protected achievements usually appear in red and cannot be toggled. The game checks your actual progress before unlocking them. This setup is common in online titles, but some single-player games use it too.
During testing and based on Steam Achievement Manager Reddit discussions, players have reported this in Company of Heroes 3, SCP: Secret Laboratory, Splitgate, Age of Empires IV, Quake Live, Spiral Knights, Red Orchestra 2, and Assassin’s Creed Unity, where bugged achievements can still remain locked.
Why Are Some Achievements Protected?
Some developers protect achievements because of:
- Server-side storage: Progress is verified by the game’s official servers instead of the local Steam client.
- Anti-cheat systems: Competitive games may block manual changes to help prevent manipulation.
- Progression checks: Ranks, levels, or long grinds rely on internal or server-side data.
Even if most achievements unlock normally, one protected achievement can prevent full completion through SAM.
Types of Achievements That SAM Can’t Unlock
Steam Achievement Manager cannot unlock achievements that require server approval or in-game progression checks. When blocked, SAM may show messages such as “Sorry, but this protected achievement cannot be managed.” This includes:
- Online match or server-based achievements
- Rank, career, or skill progression unlocks
- Bugged achievements that still require server validation
- Games that reject external achievement edits/changes or require live synchronization.
Ways you can unlock protected achievements on Steam
Some players use modded save files from Nexus Mods or known glitches, such as shared save files for Assassin’s Creed Unity. Results vary. Most protected achievements still require legitimate gameplay or a developer fix.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have covered how to use Steam Achievement Manager from start to finish. SAM is easy to use: just pick a game, tick the boxes, and commit your changes. Use it with single-player titles, avoid using it with VAC-secured multiplayer games, and use it responsibly. If SAM is not opening, the game list looks empty, or achievements refuse to appear, check our Steam Achievement Manager Not Working guide for a clean fix. Modify achievements responsibly and enjoy a complete Steam profile.
FAQs
How to Unlock All Achievements for Supported Games in SAM?
Open Steam, run SAM.Picker.exe, and double-click your game. Click the open lock icon in the top menu to select every achievement at once, then press Commit Changes. Your profile updates to 100 percent completion if all achievements are unlocked.
Will I Get Banned From Steam Achievement Leaderboards if I Use SAM to Delete Achievements?
No, deleting achievements does not trigger bans. For more safety, you can even skip SAM entirely (press Win + R, type steam://open/console, then enter reset_all_stats followed by the game ID to clear supported achievements through Steam itself).
Why Can Protected Achievements Not Be Unlocked in SAM?
Protected achievements rely on game servers, progression systems, or external validation instead of the local Steam client. SAM only sends requests through the local Steam client, so the server rejects the change and locks the achievement again. Real in-game progress is the only fix.
Can Steam Achievement Manager Get You Banned or Flagged?
SAM is safe for single-player games when downloaded from the official source. Tracking sites like AStats and Steam Hunters can still flag suspicious unlocks, so close every game before committing changes and avoid VAC-secured titles.
