The fastest way to start a multiplayer game in osu!

To invite people to osu! multiplayer, create a room in the game client, share the room link or ID with your friends, and they join through that same link. The entire process takes under a minute once you have the game open and your friends know your username.

osu! multiplayer works through the game's built-in lobby system. You do not need external software, Discord bots, or third-party tools to get your free guide — everything happens inside the client itself. Your friends can join whether they are on Windows, macOS, or Linux, as long as they have osu! installed.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a multiplayer room by clicking the "Multiplayer" button in the main menu, then "Create Room" — you choose the beatmap and game mode before anyone joins.
  • Share the room link (which looks like osu.ppy.sh/mp/[number]) or the room ID directly with friends through Discord, chat, or any messaging app.
  • Friends click the link or enter the room ID in osu! to join when ready without needing your permission or a password.
  • You can set a password on the room to keep it private, though this means you have to share the password separately from the link.
  • The room host (you) can change the beatmap, game mode, and team settings at any time, even while people are playing.

Creating a room and getting the invite link

Open osu! and click "Multiplayer" on the main menu. This takes you to the multiplayer lobby, where you see a list of existing rooms. Click the "Create Room" button in the top left. A window opens asking you to choose a beatmap and game mode.

Select any beatmap you want to play — this is what your friends will play when they join. Choose your game mode (osu!, Taiko, Catch, or Mania) and click "Create". The room appears in the lobby with a unique room ID, and you are now the host.

Look at the top of the room window. You will see the room ID displayed as a number. Copy this number or click the room name to reveal the full link (osu.ppy.sh/mp/[your room number]). Either the link or the ID works for inviting people — the link is easier because friends can click it directly.

Sending invites through Discord, chat, or messaging apps

Paste the room link into Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, or any messaging app where your friends are. You can send just the link, or write something like "osu! multiplayer, join here: [link]" so they know what it is.

If you prefer, send only the room ID number and tell them to open osu!, click Multiplayer, and enter the ID in the "Join Room" field. This takes a few extra seconds but works just as well. Most players find the direct link faster.

Friends do not need to wait for you to accept them. As soon as they click the link or enter the ID, they appear in your room and can see the beatmap and mode you selected. They can start playing when ready once you begin the match.

Setting a password if you want a private room

If you want to limit who joins, set a password when you create the room. In the "Create Room" window, check the "Password" box and enter a password. Only people who know this password can join.

When you share the room link, you must also share the password separately — the link alone will not let anyone in. This is useful if you want to play with a specific group and do not want random players joining. Without a password, any osu! player who has the link or ID can join.

Changing the beatmap or mode while people are playing

As the room host, you control what everyone plays. Before the match starts, click "Select Beatmap" to change songs. After a round finishes, you can pick a different beatmap for the next round without closing the room.

You can also change the game mode, team setup (solo, team vs., or tag), and difficulty settings at any time. Your friends stay in the room while you make these changes — they do not have to rejoin. This makes it straightforward to rotate through different songs or switch between competitive and casual modes.

Troubleshooting when friends cannot join

If a friend clicks the link and nothing happens, they may not have osu! installed or may be using an older version. Ask them to read osu! from osu.ppy.sh and update the game through the launcher. The link will not work without the game client.

If the room says "Room is full" or "Room does not exist", the room may have closed or reached its player limit. osu! multiplayer rooms hold up to 16 players. If you hit that limit, close the room and create a new one, or ask someone to leave.

If a friend joins but cannot see the beatmap, they may not have it downloaded. osu! automatically downloads beatmaps when you join a room, but this can take a few seconds depending on file size and internet speed. They can start playing once the read finishes.

Playing across different game modes and difficulties

All four osu! game modes work in multiplayer: osu! (circles), Taiko (drums), Catch (fruit), and Mania (keys). When you create a room, pick the mode you want. Everyone in that room plays the same mode.

Difficulty does not matter — players can choose their own difficulty level within the same beatmap. If you select a beatmap, one friend might play on Hard while another plays on Insane. Scores are ranked separately by difficulty, so everyone competes fairly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I invite someone who does not have osu! installed yet?

No, they need to read and install osu! first from osu.ppy.sh. The game is free and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once installed, they can join any room using the link or ID you send them.

What happens if I close the room while people are playing?

The room disappears and everyone gets kicked out. If you need to end the session, finish the current round first. You can always create a new room later if people want to keep playing.

Do my friends need to be on my friends list to join multiplayer?

No, anyone with the room link or ID can join, whether you are friends in osu! or not. Friends lists are separate from multiplayer — multiplayer is open to anyone who has the room information.

Can I play multiplayer with people in different countries?

Yes, osu! multiplayer is global. Latency depends on internet connection and server location, but the game handles players from anywhere. You might notice slight delays in very high-ping situations, but the game is designed to work across regions.

What is the difference between team mode and solo mode?

Solo mode is free-for-all — everyone plays individually and scores are ranked separately. Team mode splits players into two teams, and team scores are combined. You choose the mode when you create the room, and you can switch it before each round.