What connecting Epic to Steam actually does
Connecting your Epic Games library to Steam does not move your games or merge your accounts. Instead, it lets Steam see which games you own on Epic and display them in your Steam library alongside your Steam games — all from one launcher window. You still launch Epic games through Epic's servers; Steam just shows you what you have.
This is useful if you own games on both platforms and want to see your full collection in one place. It does not give you Steam achievements, Steam cloud saves, or any Steam features for Epic games. Those remain tied to Epic. What you get is visibility: one list instead of two.
The connection happens through Steam's built-in feature called Third-Party Games. Steam can connect to Epic, GOG, Ubisoft+, and a few other launchers the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Connecting Epic to Steam shows your Epic games in your Steam library, but does not move them or change how they run.
- You need to be logged into both Steam and Epic on the same computer before you start the connection process.
- Steam will ask for permission to see your Epic library; you grant this through your Epic account settings, not through Steam.
- After connecting, launching an Epic game from Steam will open Epic's launcher and start the game from there.
Before you start: what you need
You need an active Epic Games account and a Steam account, both on the same computer. You should be logged into both before you begin. If you do not have an Epic account yet, create one at epicgames.com — it is free.
Make sure your Epic account is the one that owns the games you want to see. If you have multiple Epic accounts, log into the correct one first. You cannot connect multiple Epic accounts to one Steam account, so if you own games across different Epic logins, you will only see the library from whichever account you connect.
You do not need to own any games on either platform for the connection to work — Steam will just show an empty Epic library if you have not purchased anything. But if you are setting this up, you probably have at least one game on Epic you want to track.
How to connect Epic Games to Steam on Windows or Mac
Open Steam and go to Settings in the bottom left corner. Select Third-Party Games from the left menu. You will see a checkbox that says "Add other games to my library" — check it if it is not already checked.
A window will open asking you to choose which launcher to connect. Select Epic Games Launcher from the list. Steam will then ask for permission to access your Epic library. You will be taken to an Epic login page in your browser.
Log into your Epic account if you are not already logged in. Epic will show you a permission screen asking if you want to allow Steam to see your library. Click Allow or Authorize — the exact button name varies, but it is the one that grants permission. Do not click anything that says "Deny" or "Cancel".
Once you authorize, you will be sent back to Steam. The connection is now active. Your Epic games should appear in your Steam library within a few minutes. If they do not show up right away, close and reopen Steam.
What happens after you connect
Your Epic games now appear in your Steam library under a section labeled Epic Games or sometimes just with the Epic logo. You can see the game titles, cover art, and playtime if you have launched them through Steam before. You can add them to collections, tag them, and organize them the same way you organize Steam games.
When you click Play on an Epic game from Steam, Steam will launch the Epic Games Launcher in the background and start the game from there. You may see the Epic launcher window briefly, or it may stay hidden — this depends on your Epic settings. The game itself runs exactly as it would if you launched it directly from Epic.
Your saves, achievements, and progress are all stored on Epic's servers, not Steam's. If you want to track playtime or achievements, you will need to do that through Epic's client or website, not through Steam.
If your Epic games do not appear in Steam
Wait a few minutes after authorizing. Steam sometimes takes time to sync your library. If games still do not show up after five minutes, restart Steam completely — close it entirely and open it again.
If restarting does not work, check that you authorized the connection with the correct Epic account. Go back to Settings > Third-Party Games and look for a button or link that says Manage or Disconnect next to Epic Games. Click it and disconnect, then reconnect using the same steps above. Make sure you are logged into the right Epic account when you authorize.
If you see games in Steam but not all of them, check your Epic account privacy settings. Some games may be hidden from your library view on Epic's side, which prevents Steam from seeing them too. Log into epicgames.com, go to your account settings, and check that your library is set to public or visible.
Disconnecting Epic from Steam if you change your mind
Open Steam and go to Settings > Third-Party Games. Find Epic Games in the list and click Manage or the three-dot menu next to it. Select Disconnect or Remove. The Epic games will disappear from your Steam library when ready, but they remain in your Epic account untouched.
You can reconnect at any time by following the same steps as the initial connection. Disconnecting does not delete anything or affect your Epic account in any way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy games on Steam to see them in my Epic library?
No. The connection shows games you already own on Epic. You do not need to own anything on Steam. Steam is just displaying your Epic collection for convenience.
Can I play Epic games directly from Steam without opening the Epic launcher?
No. Steam launches the Epic Games Launcher in the background and starts the game from there. The Epic launcher is always involved because Epic games are stored and managed by Epic's servers, not Steam's.
Will my Steam achievements count for Epic games?
No. Achievements for Epic games are tracked by Epic only. Steam will not award achievements for playing Epic games, even if you launch them through Steam. Check your progress on the Epic Games website or in the Epic launcher.
What if I have games on Epic but they do not show up after connecting?
Check that you authorized the connection with the Epic account that owns the games. If you have multiple Epic accounts, you can only connect one at a time. Disconnect and reconnect with the correct account. Also check your Epic privacy settings to make sure your library is visible.
Can I connect multiple Epic accounts to one Steam account?
No. Steam allows only one Epic account connection per Steam account. If you own games across different Epic logins, you will need to choose which one to connect, or you can disconnect and reconnect to switch between them.