Add friends through the main menu or in-game

Ready or Not lets you add friends in two places: the main menu before you start playing, or during a match. The fastest way is through the main menu. Open the game, look for the Friends tab or Social menu (the exact name depends on your version), and select "Add Friend." Type the player's username or Steam ID, send the request, and wait for them to accept.

If you want to add someone you just played with, you can do it mid-match or right after. Open the scoreboard during the game, find the player's name, and select the option to add them. This is useful because you already know you play well together and don't have to hunt for their username later.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add friends from the main menu by searching their username or Steam ID, or during a match by selecting their name on the scoreboard.
  • Friend requests must be accepted by the other player before you can invite them to a squad or see their online status.
  • If you play on Steam, you can also add friends through your Steam friends list, and they will show up in Ready or Not automatically.
  • Create a squad with your friends to make it easier to start matches together instead of joining random teams.

Finding a player's username or Steam ID

If you don't know the exact username, you have a few options. The easiest is to ask them directly—most players will give you their username or Steam profile link if you ask in chat or on Discord. If you played with them recently, check your recent players list; most games keep a history of people you matched with in the last few days.

On Steam specifically, you can search by their display name, but if they have a common name, you might get multiple results. Asking for their Steam ID number (a long string of digits) is more reliable because it's unique. You can find your own Steam ID by right-clicking your profile picture in Steam and selecting "Copy Steam ID."

What happens after you send a friend request

Once you send a request, the other player gets a notification that you want to add them. They can accept, decline, or ignore it. Until they accept, you won't be able to see when they're online, invite them to a squad, or message them through the game (though you can still message through Steam if you're both on that platform).

If someone declines your request, you can send another one later, but waiting a few days is polite. If you're trying to play with someone and they haven't responded, it's fine to message them on Discord or another platform and ask directly.

Using your friends list to start matches together

After friends accept your request, their names appear in your friends list. When you're ready to play, you can see who's online and invite them to your squad before the match starts. This is much better than hoping to match with them randomly, because you control who's on your team and can coordinate tactics.

To invite someone, open your friends list, find their name, and look for an "Invite" or "Invite to Squad" button. They'll get a notification and can accept or decline. If they accept, you'll both join the same squad when the match begins. Some versions of the game let you create a squad first and then invite people into it, so check your menu options.

Connecting your Steam friends automatically

If you play Ready or Not through Steam, your Steam friends list can sync with the game. This means anyone you've already added on Steam shows up in Ready or Not without you having to add them again. Check your game settings or social menu for an option to link or sync your Steam account.

This is useful if you have a large friend group on Steam but haven't all played Ready or Not together yet. You can see who's already in the game and invite them without sending new requests. If syncing is turned off, you can usually enable it in the settings menu under Social or Friends.

Troubleshooting friend requests that don't go through

If you send a request and nothing happens, first check that you spelled the username correctly. Usernames are case-sensitive in some games, so "Player123" is different from "player123." If the name is right but the request still won't send, restart the game and try again.

If the person says they never got your request, they might have their privacy settings turned on. Some players block friend requests from strangers or people outside their friend group. In that case, ask them to send you a request instead, or add them through Steam if you're both on that platform. If you're still having trouble, check the game's support page or community forums—there may be a known issue with the friend system in your version.

Playing with friends in squad mode

Once you have friends added and they've accepted, the real benefit is squad play. When you invite friends to a squad, you all spawn together, can hear each other on voice chat, and can coordinate your approach to each mission. This is very different from joining a public match where you're with random players.

Squad play is where Ready or Not shines, because communication and teamwork matter a lot. If you're new to the game, playing with friends who know the maps and tactics will help you learn faster. Start by inviting one or two people you trust, learn the maps together, and expand your squad as you all get better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone if I don't know their exact username?

You need the exact username or their Steam ID to send a request through the game menu. If you don't know it, ask them directly or check your recent players list if you played together recently. On Steam, you can search by display name, but you might get multiple results if the name is common.

What if someone doesn't accept my friend request?

They might be busy, away from the game, or have privacy settings that limit requests. You can send another request later, or try adding them through Steam if you're both on that platform. If you know them outside the game, you can also ask them directly why they didn't accept.

Do I need to add friends to play with them?

No, you can play in public matches with anyone. But adding friends makes it much easier to start matches together as a squad, see when they're online, and coordinate tactics. Most players find squad play more fun and effective than random matchmaking.

Can I add friends from other platforms if I'm on PC?

Ready or Not is primarily on PC through Steam, so cross-platform play is limited. If you're all on Steam, you can add each other through the game or Steam itself. Check the game's current platform support to see if console versions are available and whether they can play with PC players.

How do I remove a friend if I want to?

Open your friends list, find their name, and look for a "Remove" or "Unfriend" option. They won't get a notification that you removed them, but they'll notice if they try to invite you and can't. You can add them again later if you change your mind.