Downloading the Riot Game Launcher is the first thing you need to do before playing League of Legends or any other Riot Games title. The launcher — officially called the Riot Client — is a small, free installer that handles game downloads, updates, and account sign-in all in one place. This guide walks you through every step, from visiting the official website to loading into your first match.
What you need before you start
The Riot Client is supported on Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later. You will also need a free Riot Games account — you can create one during setup if you do not already have one. A stable internet connection is required, both to download the client and to install League of Legends afterward (the full game is several gigabytes).
How to download the Riot Game Launcher
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Step 1: Visit the Official Riot Games Website
Open any web browser and go to riotgames.com. You can also navigate directly to the games section or search for "Riot Client download." Always download from the official Riot Games website to make sure you get a safe, up-to-date version of the launcher.
Open riotgames.com in your browser — the site detects your operating system automatically. -
Step 2: Click the Download Button
On the Riot Games website, look for the Download button on the navigation bar or on the dedicated Riot Client page. The site automatically detects whether you are on Windows or Mac and serves the correct installer. Click the button and your browser will begin downloading a small setup file (typically named RiotClientInstaller.exe on Windows or a .dmg file on Mac).
Click Download — the installer is small (a few megabytes) and downloads in seconds. -
Step 3: Run the Downloaded Installer
Once the download finishes, locate the installer file in your Downloads folder (or check the download bar at the bottom of your browser). Double-click RiotClientInstaller.exe on Windows, or open the .dmg file and drag the Riot Client to your Applications folder on Mac. Windows may show a User Account Control (UAC) prompt — click Yes to allow the installation. The installer will then download and set up the full Riot Client automatically, showing a progress bar as it goes.
The setup wizard installs the Riot Client to C:\Riot Games\Riot Client by default — you can change this if needed. -
Step 4: Sign In or Create a Riot Account
After the Riot Client finishes installing, it opens automatically and presents a Sign In screen. If you already have a Riot account, enter your username (or email) and password, then click Sign In. If this is your first time, click Create Account — registration is free and takes about two minutes. You will need a valid email address and you will be asked to verify it before you can play.
Sign in with your Riot account or create one for free directly from the Riot Client. -
Step 5: Install League of Legends from the Riot Client
Once signed in, the Riot Client shows your game library. Find League of Legends and click the INSTALL button. The client will download and install the game files — this can take 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your internet speed, as the game itself is several gigabytes. When the download is complete the button changes to PLAY, and you are ready to launch League of Legends.
Select League of Legends in your library and click INSTALL to begin the full game download.
Tips and things to know
- Keep the Riot Client open while playing. League of Legends is launched through the Riot Client, and the client must stay running in the background to handle updates and anti-cheat.
- Changing the install location. During the Riot Client setup you can choose a different drive or folder. This is handy if your main drive is short on space — League of Legends can use over 20 GB once fully installed.
- Multiple games, one launcher. The Riot Client manages all Riot titles (VALORANT, TFT, Legends of Runeterra, and more) in a single library. You only ever install the launcher once.
- Firewall and antivirus prompts. Your security software may ask you to allow the Riot Client and the game when you first launch. Accept these prompts to ensure the game connects to servers properly.
- Mac users: If macOS blocks the installer because it is from an "unidentified developer," go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
Troubleshooting
The installer keeps failing or stops partway through
Try temporarily disabling your antivirus, then re-run the installer. Some security tools incorrectly flag the Riot Client. You can re-enable your antivirus once the client is fully installed. Also make sure you have enough free disk space — at least 25 GB is recommended to accommodate the client and League of Legends.
The Riot Client opens but will not sign in
Check your internet connection and make sure the date and time on your PC or Mac are correct — a wrong clock can cause certificate errors that block the login. If the problem persists, try flushing your DNS or temporarily switching to a different network.
I already have the old League of Legends launcher installed
Riot replaced the standalone League of Legends launcher with the unified Riot Client some time ago. If you have an old installation, simply download and install the Riot Client; it will detect existing game files and you will not need to re-download the full game.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Riot Game Launcher free to download?
Yes, the Riot Client (Riot Game Launcher) is completely free to download, and so is League of Legends itself. The game earns revenue through optional cosmetic purchases like skins and champion bundles, but you can play indefinitely without spending anything.
Can I download the Riot Launcher on a Mac?
Yes. The Riot Client supports macOS 10.13 High Sierra and newer. Visit riotgames.com, and the site will serve the Mac version of the installer automatically when it detects you are on a Mac.
Do I need the Riot Launcher to play League of Legends?
Yes. League of Legends no longer has a standalone launcher. You must install and run the Riot Client to download, update, and launch the game. The client also handles account authentication and anti-cheat.
How long does the Riot Client installer take?
The initial installer file downloads in seconds and installs the Riot Client itself in a minute or two. After that, installing League of Legends takes considerably longer — typically 30 minutes to a couple of hours — depending on your internet speed and hardware.
Can I use the same Riot account for multiple games?
Yes. One Riot account gives you access to all Riot Games titles through the same launcher, including VALORANT, TFT, and any other Riot title available in your region.
You are ready to play
Getting the Riot Game Launcher up and running is straightforward: download the installer from the official Riot Games site, run it, sign in with your Riot account, and install League of Legends from the library. The whole process takes only a few minutes of active effort, with the bulk of the wait being the game download itself. Once that is done, hit PLAY in the Riot Client and step onto the Rift.
