You cannot add Fortnite directly to Steam, but you can launch it from Steam using a workaround

Fortnite is published by Epic Games and runs through the Epic Games Launcher, not Steam. Steam does not have a native Fortnite store page or integration. However, you can create a shortcut in Steam that launches Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher, so the game appears in your Steam library and you can start it from there without opening Epic Games separately.

This method does not move Fortnite into Steam or change where the game files live. It straightforward tells Steam to open the Epic Games Launcher and start Fortnite when you click the shortcut. Your game still updates through Epic Games, your progress stays tied to your Epic Games account, and you still need the Epic Games Launcher installed on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite runs through Epic Games Launcher, so you cannot move it to Steam, but you can create a Steam shortcut that launches it.
  • You need the Epic Games Launcher installed and Fortnite already downloaded before you create the shortcut.
  • The shortcut method works on Windows and Mac, and takes about five minutes to set up.
  • Your game files stay in the Epic Games folder, your account stays with Epic Games, and updates come through Epic Games Launcher.
  • If you want Fortnite to show up in your Steam library with artwork and playtime tracking, you will need to add a non-Steam game.

Install Fortnite through Epic Games Launcher first

Before you create a Steam shortcut, you need Fortnite already installed on your computer. Open the Epic Games Launcher, log in with your Epic Games account, find Fortnite in the store, and click the read button. The game is free, so you will not be charged. The read is large — around 90 to 100 gigabytes depending on your system — so plan for this to take an hour or more on a typical home internet connection.

Once the read finishes and the launcher shows "Launch" instead of a progress bar, Fortnite is ready. Do not launch it yet through Epic Games. Close the Epic Games Launcher and move to the next step.

Find the Fortnite executable file location

The executable file is the program that actually starts Fortnite. You need its exact location on your computer to tell Steam where to find it. On Windows, Fortnite is usually installed in C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\Binaries\Win64. On Mac, it is usually in /Applications/Epic Games/Fortnite/Binaries/Mac.

Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and navigate to that folder. Look for a file named FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe on Windows or FortniteClient on Mac. Right-click the file and select "Copy as path" (Windows) or note the full path (Mac). This is what you will paste into Steam in the next step.

Add Fortnite as a non-Steam game in your library

Open Steam and go to the main library view. At the bottom left, click the plus sign icon or look for an option that says "Add a non-Steam game to my library." A window will open asking you to select the program you want to add.

Click "Browse" and navigate to the Fortnite executable file you found in the previous step. Select it and click "Open." Steam will add Fortnite to your library. You may see it listed with a generic icon at first — this is normal.

Customize the shortcut with artwork and launch options

Right-click the Fortnite entry in your Steam library and select "Properties." Here you can change the name, add a custom image, and set launch options. In the "Target" field, you should see the path to the Fortnite executable. Leave this as is — do not edit it.

To add artwork, click the area where the game icon appears and upload an image from your computer. Steam has a library of game artwork you can browse, or you can find Fortnite images online and save them locally. A good image size is 600 by 900 pixels, but Steam will resize automatically.

If you want Steam to track your playtime, make sure the "Track game state" option is enabled. This is usually on by default. Click "Close" when you are done.

Launch Fortnite from Steam

Fortnite now appears in your Steam library. Click it and select "Play." Steam will launch the Epic Games Launcher in the background and start Fortnite automatically. The first time you do this, it may take a few seconds longer than usual because the Epic Games Launcher needs to start.

Steam will track your playtime while Fortnite is running. When you close the game, Steam records the session. You can see your total playtime by right-clicking Fortnite in your library and selecting "View playtime."

Troubleshooting common problems

If Steam cannot find Fortnite when you click Play, the path to the executable file is wrong. Right-click Fortnite in your library, select "Properties," and check the "Target" field. Make sure the path matches exactly where you found the executable file. On Windows, the path should end with FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe. If the path has spaces in folder names, make sure they are included.

If Fortnite launches but Steam does not recognize it is running, the shortcut may not have the correct working directory set. In Properties, look for a "Start in" or "Working directory" field and set it to the folder that contains the executable — usually C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\Binaries\Win64 on Windows. On Mac, this is usually not necessary.

If you see an error about missing files or corrupted installation, Fortnite may not have downloaded completely. Open the Epic Games Launcher directly, find Fortnite, and click "Verify" to check the installation. This scans all game files and re-downloads any that are damaged or missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this method move Fortnite to Steam?

No. The game files stay in the Epic Games folder on your computer. Steam only creates a shortcut that launches Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher. If you uninstall the Epic Games Launcher, Fortnite will no longer work, even though the shortcut is still in Steam.

Will my Fortnite progress transfer to Steam?

Your progress is tied to your Epic Games account, not to Steam or any launcher. As long as you log in with the same Epic Games account, your progress, skins, and V-Bucks follow you. The launcher you use to start the game does not matter.

Can I do this on Mac?

Yes. The process is the same on Mac. Find the Fortnite executable in the Epic Games folder, add it as a non-Steam game, and launch it from Steam. Steam will track playtime on Mac the same way it does on Windows.

What if I want to remove Fortnite from Steam?

Right-click Fortnite in your Steam library and select "Remove from library." This removes only the shortcut from Steam. The actual game files stay in the Epic Games folder and remain installed on your computer. You can still launch Fortnite through the Epic Games Launcher.

Does Steam need to be running for Fortnite to work?

No. Once you close Steam, Fortnite keeps running. Steam only needs to be open when you want to launch Fortnite from your library or track playtime. You can close Steam at any time without affecting the game.