You can't connect Epic Games to Steam directly, but you can launch Epic games through Steam using a workaround

Epic Games and Steam are separate launchers that don't sync with each other. Your Epic Games library stays in the Epic Games app, and your Steam library stays in Steam. However, you can add Epic games to your Steam library as non-Steam games, which lets you launch them from Steam without opening the Epic Games app separately. This is a one-way setup — Steam doesn't pull your Epic library automatically, and you have to add each game manually.

The process takes about five minutes per game and works on Windows. Mac and Linux support depends on whether the specific game runs on those systems through Epic's native support or through Proton (Steam's compatibility layer).

Key Takeaways

  • Epic Games and Steam don't connect directly, so you must manually add each Epic game to Steam as a non-Steam game.
  • You need the full file path to the game's executable file, which you can find in your Epic Games app under Library settings.
  • Adding a game to Steam takes about two minutes and requires only the game's executable location and a name you choose.
  • Games added this way launch through Steam but still require the Epic Games app to be running in the background.
  • Steam achievements, cloud saves, and controller support may not work for Epic games added this way, depending on the game.

Find the game's installation folder in Epic Games

Open the Epic Games app and go to your Library. Find the game you want to add to Steam, then click the three dots (menu icon) next to the game's name. Select "Manage" or look for an option that shows you where the game is installed on your computer.

The Epic Games app will show you the installation path — this is the folder where all the game's files live. Write down or copy this path exactly. On Windows, it usually looks something like C:\Program Files\Epic Games\GameName or D:\Games\GameName if you installed it on a different drive.

If you can't find the menu option, right-click the game's name and look for "Show in Explorer" or "Open Folder" — this opens the game's installation folder directly in Windows File Explorer. The address bar at the top shows the full path.

Locate the game's executable file

Inside the game's installation folder, you need to find the executable file — the file that actually launches the game. This file has a .exe extension and usually has the game's name or something close to it. For example, a game might have a file called Game.exe or GameLauncher.exe.

Open the game's folder in Windows File Explorer and look for a file with an icon that looks like a gear or a game controller. If you see many files and aren't sure which one to use, look for the largest .exe file — that's usually the main game launcher. You can also right-click the .exe file and select "Properties" to confirm it's the game you want.

Copy the full path to this executable file. Right-click the .exe file, select "Copy as path," and paste it somewhere you can see it — a text editor or notepad works fine. The path will look like C:\Program Files\Epic Games\GameName\Binaries\Win64\Game.exe.

Add the game to Steam as a non-Steam game

Open Steam and go to the bottom left corner. Click "Add a Game" and select "Add a Non-Steam Game." A window opens showing all the programs on your computer. You can either find the game in this list and check the box next to it, or click "Browse" to navigate to the executable file you found in the previous step.

If you use the Browse button, navigate to the folder where the game's executable is located and select the .exe file. Click "Open," then click "Add Selected Programs" at the bottom of the window. Steam adds the game to your library under "Non-Steam Games."

The game now appears in your Steam library with a generic icon. You can right-click it, select "Properties," and change the name to something more recognizable. You can also add a custom image as the game's icon if you want it to look more polished in your library.

Make sure the Epic Games app runs in the background

When you launch an Epic game from Steam, the game still needs the Epic Games app running in the background. If the app isn't open, the game may not start or may close immediately. The easiest fix is to set the Epic Games app to launch automatically when you start your computer.

Open the Epic Games app, click your account icon in the top right, and select "Settings." Scroll down to "Launch Options" and toggle on "Launch the Epic Games App when starting your computer." This way, the app runs in the background without you having to open it manually.

Alternatively, you can open the Epic Games app before launching the game from Steam. Either method works — the app just needs to be running.

Understand what features may not work

Games added to Steam as non-Steam games don't always get full Steam integration. This means Steam achievements may not register, cloud saves might not sync, and Steam controller support might not work. Some games handle these features fine, while others don't — it depends on how the game was built.

The game itself will still save normally through the Epic Games app. Your progress and saves stay in Epic's system, not Steam's. If you're concerned about a specific game, check the game's community forums or support page to see whether other players have had success with Steam integration.

You can still use Steam's overlay (the menu that appears when you press Shift+Tab during gameplay) to take screenshots and record video, even if achievements don't work. The overlay works with most games added this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own the game on both Epic and Steam?

No. You only need to own the game on Epic Games. Adding it to Steam just creates a shortcut that launches the Epic version. You're not buying the game again or transferring it — you're just making it easier to launch from Steam.

Will my Epic Games saves work if I launch through Steam?

Yes. Your saves stay in the Epic Games system regardless of how you launch the game. Whether you open it from the Epic Games app or from Steam, the game reads the same save files. Steam cloud saves won't work, but Epic's saves will.

Can I add games that are currently installing?

You can add them, but they won't launch until the installation is complete. Wait for the Epic Games app to finish downloading the game before you try to launch it from Steam.

What if the game won't launch from Steam?

Make sure the Epic Games app is running first. If it still won't launch, check that you copied the executable path correctly — even a small typo will prevent the game from starting. You can also try right-clicking the game in Steam, selecting "Properties," and adding launch options specific to that game if the developer recommends them.

Can I remove a game from Steam after adding it?

Yes. Right-click the game in your Steam library, select "Manage," and choose "Remove from Library." This only removes it from Steam — the game stays installed on your computer and in your Epic Games library.