EN
Official Valve codes · explained clearly

Which CS2 code do you need—and why?

A Match Sharing Code and a Game Authentication Code may look like two random strings, but they serve completely different purposes. This guide shows where each code comes from, where it belongs and how CS2M combines them for automatic tracking.

Valve match history Two different codes BG / EN guide
Player identitySteamID64
+
PermissionAuth Code
+
Starting matchCSGO-…
=
Automatic trackingAuto Tracker
The essential difference

Two codes, two different jobs

An Authentication Code is not a match code. A Match Sharing Code is not account permission. Automatic tracking uses them together.

A
Account permission

Game Authentication Code

Sensitive
XXXX-XXXXX-XXXX

Allows a third-party site to request match history for your Steam account. It does not identify a specific match and cannot be converted into a CSGO- code.

Where from
Steam Support → Game Authentication Codes → Access to Your Match History
What it does
Authorizes CS2M to use Valve match-history access for your SteamID64.
How often
Created once and replaced only after a revoke or a problem.
Do not publish it If it is exposed, choose Revoke Code, create a new one and update it in CS2M.
Open Steam Support ↗
Manual import

One match needs only the CSGO- code

Paste the Match Sharing Code for that specific match. The Game Authentication Code is not part of manual import.

1
Copy it in CS2Open Watch / Your Matches and select the match.
→
2
Paste it into CS2MThe field accepts the complete CSGO- format only.
→
3
Wait for processingThe match enters the queue and appears after parsing.
Import one match →
Automatic tracker

Automatic tracking needs both codes

SteamID64 identifies the account, the Authentication Code grants permission, and the initial Match Sharing Code identifies where the sequence starts.

  1. 1
    Sign in with Steam

    CS2M receives the correct account SteamID64 through Steam OpenID.

  2. 2
    Create a Game Authentication Code

    Copy it from the official Steam Support page and do not publish it.

  3. 3
    Copy one recent CSGO- code

    Get the Match Sharing Code from the CS2 client. Do not use the demo URL.

  4. 4
    Activate the tracker

    CS2M then uses the latest known code to check for newer matches.

How it works behind the scenes

The latest known code becomes the next starting point

Valve requires steamid, steamidkey and knowncode. CS2M stores the last successfully known Match Sharing Code and moves forward from it.

01Initial CSGO- codeThe user provides one recent known match.
↓
02Request to ValveCS2M sends SteamID64, Auth Code and knowncode.
↓
03Next Match Sharing CodeWhen a newer match exists, Valve returns the next code.
↓
04Store and repeatThe returned code is saved and becomes the next request starting point.
Finding the initial code

Where is the CSGO- Match Sharing Code?

The Steam Support page may show only the Game Authentication Code. The reliable source for the initial match code is your match history inside the CS2 client.

Path in the game
CS2→Watch→Your Matches→Copy Match Sharing Code
  1. Launch Counter-Strike 2 with the account you connected.
  2. Open Watch and then Your Matches.
  3. Select a recent supported official Valve match.
  4. Choose Copy Match Sharing Code.
  5. Verify that the copied value starts with CSGO- and has five groups.
Common mix-ups

These values are not interchangeable

×
Demo download URL

It downloads the match recording, but it is not a Match Sharing Code and does not begin with CSGO-.

×
Auth Code in the import field

It grants tracker permission but does not identify one specific match.

×
Tournament / Pick’Em codes

They serve tournament features and do not activate match-history tracking.

×
FACEIT or community match

External platforms use their own systems; not every such match has a Valve Match Sharing Code.

Frequently asked questions

Everything important before setup

Why are two codes required?+

The Authentication Code grants account permission, while the Match Sharing Code identifies an already known starting match. Valve requires both to request the next code.

Can I activate tracking with only the Authentication Code?+

No. Without knowncode, the API has no starting point from which to look for the next Match Sharing Code.

Do I need to enter a CSGO- code after every match?+

No. Auto Tracker needs the initial code once; after a successful check, the new code becomes the next starting point.

Can I use a demo URL instead of a CSGO- code?+

No. A demo URL points to a downloadable file, while the Match Sharing Code is a separate identifier used by Valve.

What should I do if my Authentication Code appears in a screenshot?+

Open Steam Support, choose Revoke Code, create a new code and update it in CS2M.

Why does Steam Support not show a Match Sharing Code?+

For some accounts the page shows only the Authentication Code. In that case, copy the initial CSGO- code from Watch / Your Matches inside CS2.

Why has my newest match not appeared yet?+

Valve may take time to publish the match data and demo. The tracker will retry during later checks.

Verified sources

Official documentation and Steam page

The guide separates the values Valve requires for GetNextMatchSharingCode from the Steam page used to manage the Game Authentication Code.

Valve Match History documentation ↗ Steam Game Authentication Codes ↗
Import match Set up tracker