Adding friends on Epic Games works the same way whether you play on PC, console, or mobile
You can add friends to your Epic Games account through the Epic Games Launcher on your computer, through your console's built-in friends system, or directly in most games that use Epic's online services. The fastest method depends on where you are right now — if you're already in a game, adding someone takes about 30 seconds. If you're starting from scratch, you'll need your friend's Epic username or email address, and the process takes less than two minutes.
Epic Games stores your friends list in your account, so anyone you add shows up across all your games and devices. You don't have to add the same person twice for different games. Once they accept your request, you can see when they're online, send them messages, and join their games directly.
Key Takeaways
- You can add friends through the Epic Games Launcher, in-game, or through your console's native friends system, and all three methods sync to the same friends list.
- You need either your friend's Epic username or the email address they used to create their Epic account.
- Friend requests must be accepted before you can see each other's online status or send direct messages.
- If you're playing on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, you can add friends through your console's system and link them to your Epic account.
Adding friends through the Epic Games Launcher on PC
Open the Epic Games Launcher and log into your account. Look for the Friends icon in the top-right corner of the launcher window — it looks like a person with a plus sign. Click it and select "Add Friend."
Type your friend's Epic username or the email address associated with their Epic account. Epic will show you matching results as you type. Click on the correct person and send the request. Your friend will see a notification that you've sent them a friend request, and they can accept or decline it from their own account.
Once they accept, their name appears in your Friends list. You'll see a green dot next to their name when they're online and can click their name to join their game, send a message, or view their profile.
Adding friends while playing a game
Most games that run on Epic's online system let you add friends without leaving the game. Open the in-game menu or social panel — this is usually accessible by pressing a key like Tab, the Menu button on your controller, or a dedicated social button. Look for a Friends section or an Add Friend option.
Enter your friend's Epic username or email address the same way you would in the launcher. Send the request and they'll receive it in their Epic account. The exact location of this menu varies by game, so check the game's settings or help section if you can't find it immediately.
Adding friends in-game is useful when you're already playing with someone and want to stay connected, but the request still goes through your Epic account and must be accepted by your friend before you're officially linked.
Adding friends on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch
If you play on a console, you can add friends through your console's native system and link them to your Epic account. On PlayStation, go to your profile, select Friends, and add someone by their PSN username. On Xbox, open the Friends app and search for their Gamertag. On Nintendo Switch, go to your profile, select Friends, and add them by their username.
Once you've added them on your console, that connection syncs with your Epic Games account if both of you have linked your console accounts to Epic. This means you'll see them in your Epic friends list too, and you can message them and join their games through Epic's system.
If your friend hasn't linked their console account to Epic yet, you'll only see them in your console's friends list, not in Epic Games. Ask them to link their account in their Epic profile settings under Connections so you can interact through Epic's platform.
What to do if your friend request isn't going through
If you send a friend request and it doesn't appear to work, first check that you have the correct Epic username or email address. Epic usernames are case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" is different from "johnsmith." If you're unsure of their exact username, ask them directly or check their Epic profile if they've shared a link with you.
If the username is correct but the request still won't send, your friend's account privacy settings might be blocking incoming requests. Some players set their accounts to accept friend requests only from people they already know or from no one at all. In that case, ask your friend to adjust their privacy settings or send you a friend request instead.
If you're trying to add someone on console and it's not syncing to Epic, make sure both accounts are linked. Go to your Epic profile, select Connections, and verify that your console account is connected. Your friend needs to do the same on their end.
Managing your friends list and privacy settings
Once you've added friends, you can organize them by removing people you no longer play with or adjusting who can see you're online. Open your Epic profile, go to Friends, and right-click on any friend's name to remove them or block them. Blocking someone prevents them from seeing when you're online or sending you messages.
If you want to control who can add you as a friend, go to your Epic account settings and look for Privacy. You can set your friends list to public, friends-only, or private. You can also choose whether to accept friend requests from anyone or only from people you already know.
Your friends list is stored in your Epic account, so these settings apply across all games and devices where you play with your Epic account. Changes take effect immediately.
Adding friends on mobile games that use Epic's system
If you're playing a mobile game that connects to your Epic Games account, you can usually add friends directly in the game. Open the social or friends menu within the app and search for your friend's Epic username or email. Send the request the same way you would in any other game.
Mobile games vary in how they display the friends menu, so look for an icon that looks like a person, a chat bubble, or a social option in the main menu. If you can't find it, check the game's settings or help section. Your friend will receive the request through their Epic account and can accept it from any device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone if I only know their real name, not their Epic username?
No, you need either their exact Epic username or the email address they used to create their Epic account. If you don't have either, ask them directly for their username or have them send you a friend request instead. You can also ask them to share their Epic profile link, which contains their username.
What happens if my friend doesn't accept my friend request?
The request stays pending in both of your accounts until they accept or decline it. You won't see their online status or be able to message them until they accept. If they decline, you can send another request later, but it's better to ask them directly if they want to be friends first.
Can I add friends across different platforms, like if I'm on PC and they're on console?
Yes. Epic Games friends work across all platforms — PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. As long as you both have Epic accounts and you're using the same Epic username or email to add each other, you'll be connected regardless of what device you play on.
Do I need to add someone on my console and in Epic Games separately?
No. If you add them on your console and both accounts are linked to Epic, they'll appear in your Epic friends list automatically. You only need to add them once, but the connection must be made through whichever platform you're using at the time.
Can I see my friends list if I'm not playing a game?
Yes. Open the Epic Games Launcher on your computer or log into your Epic Games account on the website, and your friends list is visible in the Friends section. You can see who's online, send messages, and view their profiles without launching a game.