--- name: "Arma 3: Steam Branches" type: topic aliases: ["Arma 3 Steam Branches"] source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Steam_Branches revid: 378890 updated: 2026-08-11T13:47:05Z --- # Arma 3: Steam Branches ### Overview Arma 3 is distributed as several branches on Steam. These branches are accessible by opening the application *Properties* in Steam client. In the *BETAS* tab, you'll find a drop-down menu with publicly available branches. Some branches require an access code to be input before appearing the list. Those codes are shared via channels such as [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Arma3official) and [the forums](https://forums.bistudio.com/) when appropriate. You may need to restart the Steam client to see recently created branches. After selecting a branch, Steam client will begin downloading the differences in data. It can be recommended to do a local file verification afterwards to be sure the correct update was downloaded. Note that Steam client does not allow you to maintain multiple parallel branches on your hard drive. Our [Game Updater](../topics/Game_Updater.md) tool does allow this for certain branches. ### Branches #### [Arma 3](http://store.steampowered.com/app/107410/) This application (appID 107410) exists for Windows, with [experimental port betas](http://dev.arma3.com/ports) for Mac. | Branch Name | Branch Code | Access Code | Description | |---|---|---|---| | Main Branch | `public` | N/A | Primary and default build | | Development Branch | `development` | N/A | a.k.a. [Dev-Branch](http://dev.arma3.com/dev-branch) build | | RC Branch | `rc` | Shared on [Dev Hub](https://dev.arma3.com/) during active RC tests | [Release Candidate build test](https://dev.arma3.com/rc-branch) of imminent updates | | Profiling Branch | `profiling` | N/A | Special [performance + profiling build](https://forums.bohemia.net/forums/topic/160288-arma-3-stable-server-198-performance-binary-feedback/) / alternative download of needed binaries possible from [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15p9j7C2nHUt6NoVfChX4YFuqzFXzblJh). See [Arma 3 Profiling Branch](https://dev.arma3.com/profiling-branch) for an in-depth explanation. | | Legacy Branch | `legacy` | `Arma3LegacyXYZ`
Where *XYZ* is the version, e.g. *150* | Old build comparison of the second-last main build | | Legacy Mac Branch | `legacymac` | `Arma3LegacyMacXYZ`
Where *XYZ* is the version, e.g. *150* | Old Mac build comparison of the second-last Mac main build | | Legacy Ports Branch | `legacyports` | `Arma3LegacyPorts` | Old build compatibility for Mac client ports | | Legacy Hardware Branch | `legacyhardware` | `Arma3LegacyHardware` | Last build with [32-bit and Windows 7 / 8 compatibility](https://dev.arma3.com/32-bit) | | Creator DLC RC Branch | `creatordlcrc` | `Arma3CreatorDLCRC`
Only available during active RC tests | [Release Candidate build test](http://www.arma3.com/dlc/creator#public-testing) for Creator DLC | #### Arma 3 Server This application (appID 233780) exists for Windows and Linux. | Branch Name | Branch Code | Access Code | Description | |---|---|---|---| | Main Branch | `public` | N/A | Primary and default build | | Contact Branch | `contact` | N/A | Default build with Contact expansion server data and A3C signature key - note that this data is not fully compatible with multiplayer and should only be loaded for advanced use cases | | Creator DLC Branch | `creatordlc` | N/A | Default build with Creator DLC server data and signature keys | | RC Branch | `rc` | Shared on [Dev Hub](https://dev.arma3.com/) during active RC tests | [Release Candidate build test](https://dev.arma3.com/rc-branch) of imminent updates | | Profiling Branch | `profiling` | N/A | Special [performance + profiling build](https://forums.bohemia.net/forums/topic/160288-arma-3-stable-server-198-performance-binary-feedback/) / alternative download of needed binaries possible from [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15p9j7C2nHUt6NoVfChX4YFuqzFXzblJh). See [Arma 3 Profiling Branch](https://dev.arma3.com/profiling-branch) for an in-depth explanation. | | Legacy Branch | `legacy` | `Arma3LegacyXYZ`
Where *XYZ* is the version, e.g. *150* | Old build comparison of the second-last main build | | Legacy Contact Branch | `legacycontact` | `Arma3LegacyXYZ`
Where *XYZ* is the version, e.g. *150* | Old build comparison of the second-last main build with Contact expansion server data | | Legacy Ports Branch | `legacyports` | `Arma3LegacyPorts` | Old build compatibility for Mac client ports | | Legacy Hardware Branch | `legacyhardware` | `Arma3LegacyHardware` | Last build with [32-bit and Windows 7 / 8 compatibility](https://dev.arma3.com/32-bit) | | Creator DLC RC Branch | `creatordlcrc` | `Arma3CreatorDLCRC`
Only available during active RC tests | [Release Candidate build test](http://www.arma3.com/dlc/creator#public-testing) for Creator DLC | #### [Arma 3 Tools](http://store.steampowered.com/app/233800/) This application (appID 233800) exists for Windows. | Branch Name | Branch Code | Access Code | Description | |---|---|---|---| | Main Branch | `public` | N/A | Primary and default build | | Development Branch | `development` | N/A | [Dev-Branch](https://forums.bistudio.com/topic/169362-tools-development-branch-changelog/) build | | Legacy Branch | `legacy` | `Arma3ToolsLegacyXYZ`
Where *XYZ* is the version, e.g. *1024* | Old build comparison of the second-last main build | #### [Arma 3 Samples](http://store.steampowered.com/app/390500/) This application (appID 390500) exists for Windows. | Branch Name | Branch Code | Access Code | Description | |---|---|---|---| | Main Branch | `public` | N/A | Primary and default build | | Development Branch | `development` | N/A | [Dev-Branch](https://forums.bistudio.com/topic/169362-tools-development-branch-changelog/) build | | Legacy Branch | `legacy` | `Arma3SamplesLegacyXYZ`
Where *XYZ* is the version, e.g. *1024* | Old build comparison of the second-last main build | ### SteamCMD To install different branches via SteamCMD follow these steps: - Do the following with steamcmd according to [Valve's official documentation](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD): - Download steamcmd - Install steamcmd - Launch steamcmd - Log in to your account - Set an install location > [!IMPORTANT] > The account has to be in possession of Arma 3 in order to download the playable branches. Server files can be downloaded even without an account. - To download the dev branch for example, enter the following into the steamcmd window: ``` app_update 107410 -beta development validate ``` - If the branch is password protected (for example a legacy branch) enter the access code as follows: ``` app_update 107410 -beta legacyports -betapassword Arma3LegacyPorts validate ``` - The game is now being downloaded - Once finished, log out with ``` quit ``` Source: [BI Community Wiki — Arma 3: Steam Branches](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Steam_Branches) (revision 378890).