How to Add Games to Discord

This guide shows you how to add games to Discord so you can show what you’re playing, launch titles directly from the app, and join friends faster. You’ll learn the steps for both PC and mobile, plus how to fix common issues like games not showing up.

What You’ll Need

• A Discord account (free or paid)
• The Discord desktop app (Windows or macOS) for full game integration
• The Discord mobile app (iOS or Android) for adding games manually
• Your game installed and ready to launch

Step-by-Step

1. Open Discord and go to User Settings. Click the gear icon (⚙️) at the bottom-left corner of the app, next to your username and avatar.
2. Find the “Registered Games” section. In the left sidebar, scroll down to “Activity Settings” and click on “Registered Games.” This is where Discord lists games it has detected on your computer.
3. Add a game manually (if needed). If your game isn’t in the list, click the “Add it!” button (or “Add Game” on some versions). A dropdown menu appears showing all detected applications. Select your game from the list. If it’s not there, click “Choose a game…” and browse to the game’s .exe file on your computer.
4. Set the game to display in your status. Once added, the game will appear in your “Registered Games” list. Make sure the toggle next to it is enabled (blue). This allows Discord to show your activity to others.
5. Launch the game. You can start the game from Discord by clicking the “Play” button next to its name in the Registered Games list. This also ensures Discord detects it as active.
6. Check your profile. While playing, your status will show “Playing [Game Name]” under your username. Friends can click it to see your activity.
7. For mobile (iOS/Android): Open the Discord app, tap your avatar (bottom-right), then tap “Set Status” and choose “Custom Status.” You can manually type something like “Playing [Game Name]” – but note that mobile does not auto-detect games. For automatic detection, you must use the desktop app.

Common Mistakes

• Adding the wrong file: Make sure you select the actual game executable (e.g., game.exe), not a launcher like Steam or Epic Games Launcher. If you add the launcher, Discord will show that instead of the game.
• Not enabling the toggle: Even after adding a game, if the toggle is off, Discord won’t show it in your status. Always ensure it’s blue.
• Using the browser version: Discord’s web app cannot detect games. You must use the desktop client.
• Overwriting with a custom status: If you set a custom status manually, it may override the “Playing” status. Clear your custom status to let Discord show the game.

Tips

• Use the “Play” button to launch: Launching from Discord ensures the game is tracked properly. You can also add non-Steam games to your Steam library and launch through Steam – Discord will detect them that way too.
• Organize your games: In the Registered Games list, you can drag games to reorder them. The topmost game will be shown as your current activity if multiple are running.
• Hide games you don’t want to show: Turn off the toggle for games you don’t want others to see, or right-click and select “Hide” to remove them from the list entirely.
• Use Rich Presence (for supported games): Some games have Discord Rich Presence, which shows detailed info like score or level. This requires the game developer to integrate it – you don’t need to do anything.

Troubleshooting

• Game not showing up in the list: Restart Discord, then check the Registered Games list again. If it still doesn’t appear, try running Discord as administrator (right-click Discord icon → “Run as administrator”). This often helps with permission issues.
• Game shows as “Not Playing” even when running: Make sure the game is actually in the foreground (not minimized to tray). Some games run in exclusive fullscreen mode that Discord can’t detect – try switching the game to borderless windowed mode.
• Discord says “Cannot detect game”: This usually happens when the game is a UWP app (from Microsoft Store) or runs through a compatibility layer. Try adding the game manually by browsing to the executable. For UWP games, you may need to use the game’s Xbox integration instead.
• Activity not showing to friends: Check your privacy settings. Go to User Settings → Privacy & Safety and ensure “Share your activity” is enabled. Also, friends may have disabled seeing activities in their own settings.
• Game appears but status is stuck: If Discord shows you playing a game you’ve closed, restart Discord. If the issue persists, right-click the game in Registered Games and select “Remove” then re-add it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add games to Discord on mobile?
Yes, but mobile doesn’t auto-detect games. You can manually set a custom status like “Playing [Game Name]” – it won’t show the game’s icon or detailed activity.

Why doesn’t Discord detect my game?
Common reasons: the game is not installed on the same drive as Discord, it’s a UWP app, or it runs in exclusive fullscreen. Try adding it manually or switching to borderless windowed mode.

Can I add a game that’s not on my computer?
No, Discord only tracks games installed locally. You cannot add a game you don’t own or that isn’t installed.

How do I remove a game from Discord?
Go to User Settings → Registered Games, hover over the game, and click the “X” on the right. Or turn off the toggle to stop showing it.

Does Discord show games I play through Steam?
Yes, if you have the Discord desktop app open and Steam is running, Discord will detect the game as long as it’s added to your Steam library and launched through Steam.

Can I hide my playing status from specific people?
Yes, you can adjust your privacy settings per server or per friend. Go to User Settings → Privacy & Safety → “Share your activity” and customize who can see it.

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