The fastest way to add a friend in Tarkov

To add a friend in Escape from Tarkov, you need their username and a way to send them a request. Open the game launcher, go to the Friends tab, and select "Add Friend". Type in their exact username — Tarkov usernames are case-sensitive, so if their name is "TacticalGhost" and you type "tacticalghost", the search won't find them. Once you find them, send the request. They'll see it in their Friends tab and can accept or decline.

The person you're adding must accept your request before you can raid together or see their online status. Until they do, you won't be able to invite them to a raid or squad. If they don't respond within a few days, you can send another request, but there's no way to message them through the game itself — you'll need to use Discord or another platform to follow up.

Key Takeaways

  • Add friends through the Friends tab in the Tarkov launcher by typing their exact username, which is case-sensitive.
  • The person you add must accept your friend request before you can squad up or see when they're online.
  • If someone doesn't respond to a friend request, use Discord or another chat platform to confirm they received it.
  • Once you're friends, you can invite them to raids by creating a squad in the pre-raid menu.
  • Tarkov has no in-game messaging system, so coordinate raid plans and loadouts outside the game.

Finding someone's exact username

Usernames in Tarkov are unique and case-sensitive, which means "TacticalGhost", "tacticalghost", and "TACTICALGHOST" are three different accounts. If you're trying to add someone and the search returns no results, the most common reason is a typo or wrong capitalization.

Ask the person directly for their username — don't guess. If you met them in a Discord server or forum, ask them to paste it exactly as it appears in their Tarkov profile. You can also check their profile on the official Tarkov forums or community sites like Tarkov Wiki or Tarkov.dev, though not all players list their usernames publicly.

What happens after someone accepts your request

Once a friend accepts your request, their name appears in your Friends list with a green dot when they're online and a gray dot when they're offline. You can now invite them to a squad before a raid. To do this, create a squad in the pre-raid menu, and you'll see an option to invite friends by name.

Being friends doesn't automatically put you in the same raid — you both have to select the same map, the same raid type (like Factory or Customs), and the same time window. If one of you is in a raid and the other tries to join, the invite will fail. You also can't invite someone who is already in a squad with other players.

Troubleshooting friend requests that don't go through

If you've typed the username correctly and the search still shows no results, the account may not exist, may have been deleted, or the person may have changed their username. Tarkov allows username changes, so if you're trying to add someone you knew months ago, they might have a different name now.

Another reason a request might fail is if the person has their friend settings restricted. Some players set their accounts to not receive friend requests from strangers. If that's the case, there's no way around it through the game — you'll need to contact them through Discord or another platform and ask them to add you instead, or to change their settings.

Using Discord to coordinate with squad mates

Tarkov has no built-in voice chat or text messaging, so most squads use Discord to talk during raids. Before you raid together, exchange Discord usernames or server invites. Many Tarkov communities have Discord servers where players find teammates — you can join one, add people there, and then add them in-game once you've talked.

Voice communication is especially important in Tarkov because the game has friendly fire enabled by default. You need to hear your teammates call out their positions so you don't shoot them by accident. Text chat won't work fast enough during a raid, so set up voice before you queue.

Managing your friends list

You can remove friends from your list at any time by right-clicking their name and selecting remove. Removing someone doesn't notify them, but they'll notice they can no longer invite you to raids. You can also block players if you don't want them to send you friend requests — blocked players won't be able to add you, and you won't see them in search results.

Tarkov doesn't show you a list of people who have added you but haven't been accepted yet, so check your Friends tab regularly if you're expecting requests. The tab shows pending requests at the top, separate from your accepted friends.

Why you might want to use a clan or community instead

If you're new to Tarkov and want to find people to raid with regularly, joining a clan or community Discord server is often faster than adding individual friends. Many clans have dozens of active players, and you can find teammates for almost any playstyle — hardcore PvP, loot-focused raids, or learning runs for new players.

Communities like the official Tarkov subreddit (r/EscapefromTarkov), the Tarkov Discord server, or clan-specific servers let you meet people, ask questions, and find squads without having to know anyone beforehand. Once you've raided with someone a few times, you can add them as a friend for easier invites later.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No — you need their exact username to search for them, and the search is case-sensitive. If you're not sure, ask them directly or look for their profile on community sites. Guessing at capitalization won't work.

What if someone sends me a friend request and I don't want to accept it?

You can decline the request, and they'll be notified that you declined. You can also block them to prevent future requests. Blocking doesn't send a notification, but they won't be able to add you again unless you unblock them.

Do I need to be in the same raid to add someone as a friend?

No — you can add friends anytime from the launcher, whether you've met them in-game or not. You don't have to raid together before adding them.

Can I invite a friend to a raid if they're already in another raid?

No — they have to be in the main menu, not in an active raid. If they're in a raid, the invite will fail. Wait for them to extract or die before trying again.

What's the difference between adding a friend and joining a clan?

Friends are individual players you add one at a time. Clans are groups of players who coordinate together, usually through a shared Discord server. You can be in a clan and still have individual friends outside it.