To invite a Steam friend while using SteamOS, launch the game, open the Steam Overlay, go to your Friends list, select the friend, and choose the invite option the game provides. The exact label and route vary by game. For a supported local co-op title, you can instead choose Remote Play Together to invite a friend into your session—even if they do not own or launch the game.
This guide applies to SteamOS devices such as Steam Deck, as well as other systems running SteamOS. The core steps are the same, though the shortcut or controller mapping used to open the overlay may differ. Steam Support documentation accessed October 29, 2026, describes the overlay, Remote Play Together, account limits, privacy behavior, and network requirements discussed below.
How do you invite a friend to a Steam game from SteamOS?
Use the Steam Overlay while the game is running. It gives you access to your Friends list and, when a game supports the feature, its invitation commands. The game determines the exact wording and what happens after an invite is accepted. In practical terms, you start with the friend list, then choose the option that matches the way the game handles multiplayer.
- Check that your friend is online and on your Steam Friends list. If they are not on the list yet, add or accept them through Steam Friends & Chat first. An invite to a game is not a substitute for establishing the Steam friendship.
- Launch the game from SteamOS. A standard game invite is usually sent from the running game’s overlay or its own multiplayer lobby. Some games make the invite command available only after you have entered or created a lobby.
- Open the Steam Overlay. On a desktop setup, Steam’s default shortcut is Shift+Tab. On a Steam Deck or another SteamOS device, use the Steam client’s configured shortcut or controller mapping.
- Open Friends, select your friend, and look for the game’s invite command. Depending on the title, it may be called an invite, party invite, or matchmaking invite. If the title supports Remote Play Together and you are hosting a local co-op session, look for that specific option instead.
- Have your friend accept. They may then join the game or lobby, subject to that game’s own multiplayer and matchmaking rules. For Remote Play Together, Steam says the friend is in-game with you after accepting.
Steam Support describes the Overlay as the route to friend, game, and group invitations, but notes that games use it differently depending on their supported Steamworks features and implementation. So if you do not see an invite command in the overlay, check the game’s multiplayer menu rather than assuming SteamOS is missing a universal invite button. The invitation might be handled by the title’s own party or lobby system, or the game might not use Steam’s overlay-based invite flow at all.
The important distinction is between Steam’s access point and the game’s multiplayer rules. The overlay can expose an invitation action, but it does not determine whether the title uses parties, matchmaking, a lobby, or another join process. It also cannot override the game’s own requirements for joining. If an invitation is accepted but your friend cannot enter the session, look at the title’s multiplayer setup and the friend’s eligibility as well as the Steam client.
Where is the Steam invite button on SteamOS?
There is no single invite button that appears in every Steam game. The Steam Overlay is the main Steam-level place to find Friends and supported invites, but a game may put the actual command in its own party, lobby, or matchmaking menu.
In SteamOS Gaming Mode, use the Steam interface to open social features, then bring up the in-game overlay once the game is running. On Steam Deck, the physical controls and configured shortcuts can differ from a desktop keyboard. If the overlay opens but the game’s invite action is absent, look for a multiplayer or lobby option in the game itself and try again from the lobby.
Steam’s desktop default for opening the overlay is Shift+Tab. That is not a promise that the same keys are available or mapped on every SteamOS device: use the shortcut or controller mapping configured for your client. Steam’s support guidance describes Shift+Tab as the default keybind where the overlay is supported and enabled; a handheld’s configured control path can be different.
If you are trying to find the invite before launching a title, first open that game and check its multiplayer interface. The Steam overlay’s game-related actions depend on the running title and the features it supports, so the friend list may not show the same set of commands for every game. A game that uses a lobby may require you to enter that lobby before the option to invite appears. A title that handles parties in its own menus may direct you there rather than displaying a Steam invite action.
For Steam Deck users, the key point is not to rely on a keyboard shortcut that is not configured for the device. Use the client’s current overlay control or configured controller mapping while the game is running. SteamOS and client layouts can change, and controller mappings can be customized; there is no universal hardware-button sequence that applies to every device and setup.
How do you use Remote Play Together on Steam Deck?
Remote Play Together is a separate option for supported local co-op games. The host launches the game, invites a Steam friend through the overlay, and the friend joins the host’s session after accepting; the guest does not need to own or launch the game. It is useful when the game supports local co-op but the other player is joining remotely through Steam’s streaming feature.
- Check the game’s Steam store page for the Remote Play Together feature indicator. Steam identifies supported games in their store details. Do not assume that every game with multiplayer supports this particular feature.
- Launch the game on your SteamOS device and open the Steam Overlay.
- Open the Friends list, select or right-click your friend’s entry where that interface is available, and choose Remote Play Together.
- Wait for the friend to accept. Steam’s documented sequence says they will be in-game with you once they accept the invite.
Remote Play Together is not a workaround for every multiplayer game: it applies to supported local co-op sessions. If the title is designed for online multiplayer rather than local co-op, use its normal invite or matchmaking flow instead. For the ordinary multiplayer route, each player’s access and ability to join follow the game’s normal ownership and matchmaking rules.
The host needs to be running the game and should send the invitation from the in-game overlay. The friend needs to be signed in on a supported device and must accept the invitation. The documented sequence is specifically for Remote Play Together: launch the game, open the overlay, choose the friend in the Friends list, select the Remote Play Together command, and wait for acceptance. On desktop, Steam describes right-clicking the friend; on a handheld interface, use the corresponding selection or action available for that friend’s entry.
Remote Play Together differs from an ordinary online invite because the friend joins the host’s supported local co-op session through Remote Play. The guest does not need to own or launch the game. That ownership flexibility does not make every game eligible: the title must support Remote Play Together, and the session must be a suitable local co-op game. Confirm the feature indicator on the store page before troubleshooting a missing Remote Play Together command.
Steam recommends a wired network for the best Remote Play streaming experience, while noting that results vary by network. This is a recommendation for streaming quality, not a requirement that every player use a wired connection. If the invite is accepted but the streamed session does not connect or performs poorly, network conditions and restrictions are worth checking.
What is the difference between a game invite and Remote Play Together?
| Method | Best for | What the friend needs | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard game, party, or matchmaking invite | A game’s online multiplayer or party system | Whatever the game’s normal ownership, account, and matchmaking rules require | The Steam Overlay if supported, or the game’s own lobby or multiplayer menu |
| Remote Play Together | A supported local co-op session hosted by you | A Steam account and a supported device; the guest does not need to own or launch the game | The Remote Play Together action in the Friends list while the host’s game is running |
Choose the method that matches how the game is built. A standard invite connects players through the game’s own multiplayer implementation. Remote Play Together streams a supported local co-op session from the host, so the friend joins that session rather than starting a separate copy of the game.
The ownership difference is often the quickest way to choose. With a standard invite, the game’s regular access and matchmaking rules still apply; this guide cannot assume that a guest can join without owning the title. With Remote Play Together, Steam says a friend can join a supported local co-op session without owning or launching the game. That feature is not a general guest pass for online multiplayer, and it only applies to supported games.
The control path can also differ. A standard invite may be available from the Steam Overlay’s Friends list, but some games require the host to start or enter a lobby first, and others put party invitations in their own multiplayer menus. Remote Play Together has a specific action in the Friends list while the host’s game is running. If you cannot find the command you need, check both the game’s own lobby flow and its store feature information instead of repeatedly searching for a universal Steam button.
These methods also fail at different points. A missing overlay may be a client or per-game setting. A missing standard invite may reflect the game’s integration or a lobby requirement. A missing Remote Play Together action may mean that the game does not support it. An invite that is sent but cannot connect may point to account, game, or network restrictions. Identifying the method you are using helps narrow down the likely problem.
Why does the Steam Overlay or invite option not appear?
Work through the likely causes in order: make sure the overlay is enabled, confirm the game supports the invite route you want, then check friend and network conditions. The right fix depends on which part is failing. First establish whether the overlay opens; then distinguish a missing command from a connection failure after an invite has been sent.
The overlay will not open
In the Steam client, check Steam > Settings > In-Game > Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game. Also check the individual title at Library > Properties > General and make sure its overlay option is enabled. Steam identifies Shift+Tab as the default desktop shortcut; on SteamOS, use the client’s configured shortcut or controller mapping.
There are two places to verify because the global setting and an individual game’s setting are separate checks. Enabling the overlay for the client does not help if the particular title’s overlay option is disabled. Conversely, a game-level option is not a replacement for having the global in-game overlay enabled. Check both before concluding that an invite feature is unavailable.
Also confirm that the game is actually running when you try to open the overlay. Steam’s documented invitation workflow is an in-game one. If you are on Steam Deck or another SteamOS device, use the configured controller shortcut or mapping rather than assuming a desktop keyboard shortcut is available. If the overlay opens but an invite does not appear, the problem is more likely to be game support, lobby state, or the selected invitation method than the shortcut itself.
There is no invite command
The game may not support Steam’s overlay-based party or matchmaking invites, or it may require you to enter or create a lobby first. Check the game’s multiplayer menu and its Steam store feature list. For Remote Play Together, confirm that the store page lists that feature; it is not available for every game.
Look for the exact kind of invitation you need. A title may offer a standard online invite, a party invite, or a matchmaking command, and the visible label can vary. Steam’s Overlay is customizable and games use it differently depending on which supported Steamworks features the developer incorporated. There is no reliable single wording to search for in every title.
If the game has an in-game lobby or party screen, try creating or joining the lobby first, then return to the overlay or use the game’s own invite control. If you were expecting Remote Play Together, check the feature indicator on the store page. A title’s ordinary multiplayer support does not, by itself, establish that it supports Remote Play Together.
Your friend cannot be invited
Confirm that the friend is online and already on your Friends list. A limited Steam account can receive friend invitations but cannot send them, so an account limitation may prevent the other person from initiating the friendship. Add or accept the friend through Friends & Chat, then retry the game invite.
This limitation concerns sending friend invitations, not receiving them. If the account that needs to send the friendship request is limited, the other person may need to send the request instead. Once the friendship is in place, return to the running game and try the game invite again. The limitation should not be mistaken for a missing game invitation command or an overlay setting problem.
If the friend is already on your list and online, make sure you are selecting the right account and that the game is in a state where invites are available. Some games expose an invitation only from a lobby or party. For a standard invite, the friend will also need to satisfy the game’s normal access and matchmaking requirements.
The game is marked private
Steam says that if you invite a friend to a private game, the friend can see your in-game status until you exit the game or disconnect from Steam, allowing them to join. This behavior does not mean every title uses identical privacy, lobby, or join controls, so the game’s own requirements still matter.
If a private-game invite is part of the issue, distinguish that visibility behavior from whether the game accepts the friend into a session. Steam’s statement concerns seeing your in-game status after an invitation; it does not promise that every game automatically bypasses its own lobby, access, or matchmaking conditions.
The invite or Remote Play session fails to connect
Firewall, router, school, workplace, or proxy restrictions can interfere with game traffic, Steam voice chat, or Remote Play. Steam documents separate network requirements for those services, so a working chat connection does not necessarily mean game or streaming traffic is allowed. If you are on a restricted network, try a network that permits Steam traffic; for Remote Play, Steam recommends a wired connection for the best streaming experience, while noting that results vary by network.
It helps to identify what works and what does not. If you can send an invitation but the friend cannot join, check whether the game’s session or matchmaking connection is being blocked. If Remote Play Together starts but the streaming session fails, Remote Play traffic and network quality are relevant. If voice chat works, that is not proof that the separate game or Remote Play traffic is allowed.
Steam lists separate requirements for game traffic, voice chat, and Remote Play, so there is no single network check that guarantees all three services will work. Firewalls and routers may restrict traffic, and school, workplace, or proxy connections can impose their own limits. Try a network without those restrictions when possible. For Remote Play, a wired connection is Steam’s recommendation for the best streaming experience, but actual results vary by network.
What should you check before sending the invite?
- Is the friend online and already on your Friends list? If not, handle the friendship through Friends & Chat before troubleshooting the game invite. Remember that a limited account can receive, but cannot send, friend invitations.
- Is the game running, and is the Overlay enabled? Steam-level game invites are accessed through the in-game overlay. Check the global in-game setting and the individual title’s overlay setting if it will not open.
- Does the game support the type of invite you want? Look for its lobby or multiplayer flow; check its store page specifically for Remote Play Together support if that is your goal.
- Does the friend meet the game’s normal join requirements? Standard multiplayer follows the title’s own ownership and matchmaking rules. Remote Play Together is the distinct option for supported local co-op.
- Are you in a lobby or session where invites are available? Some games require you to create or enter a lobby, while others put the invite in their own multiplayer menu.
- Could the network block the connection? Consider firewall, router, proxy, school, or workplace restrictions if the invitation is sent but the session does not connect. Voice chat working does not prove that game or Remote Play traffic is permitted.
- Are you using the right control path for your device? Shift+Tab is Steam’s default desktop shortcut, but SteamOS users should use the configured client shortcut or controller mapping.
Steam Deck is the most common SteamOS device for this workflow, but the same principle applies on another SteamOS system: use the Steam client’s overlay and configured controls. You do not need a Steam Deck specifically if you already have another device running SteamOS.
Before sending an invite, it is also useful to decide whether you mean an ordinary game invitation or a Remote Play Together invitation. For online multiplayer, follow the game’s normal party, lobby, or matchmaking path. For local co-op hosted by you, verify Remote Play Together support and select that specific action. Choosing the correct route prevents a common dead end: searching the overlay for Remote Play Together in a title that does not support it, or expecting an ordinary invite to bypass the game’s normal ownership and matchmaking requirements.
Finally, separate setup problems from connection problems. If the overlay itself does not open, check its settings and configured controls. If the overlay opens but no command appears, check game integration, the current lobby state, and Remote Play Together support. If the invite is sent but the session does not connect, account status, game rules, and network restrictions become more relevant. This sequence keeps troubleshooting focused on the part of the process that is actually failing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my friend join if I set the game to private?
Steam says a friend invited to a private game can see your in-game status until you exit the game or disconnect from Steam, which allows them to join. That behavior applies to the private-game invitation described by Steam; it does not mean every title uses the same lobby or privacy controls.
Can a limited Steam account accept a friend invitation?
Yes. Steam’s account guidance says limited accounts can receive friend invitations, but they cannot send them. If the limited account is the one trying to add someone first, the other player may need to send the invitation.
Do both players need to own the game for Remote Play Together?
No. For a game that supports Remote Play Together, the guest can join the host’s local co-op session without owning or launching the game. This is different from an ordinary multiplayer invite, which follows the title’s usual access rules.
Where do I find the invite button on Steam Deck?
Launch the game and open the Steam Overlay using the shortcut or controller mapping configured for your Steam client. Open Friends, select your friend, and choose the invite command the game provides. If it is missing, check the game’s multiplayer menu and whether you need to enter or create a lobby first.
Why can I open the Friends list but not invite anyone?
The overlay can show Friends even when a particular game does not support Steam’s overlay-based invitation flow. Check the title’s own party or multiplayer menu, and try entering or creating its lobby. If you mean Remote Play Together, confirm that the game lists that feature on its Steam store page.
Can I use Remote Play Together for any multiplayer game?
No. Remote Play Together is for supported local co-op games. An online multiplayer title should use its ordinary invite or matchmaking flow unless its store details specifically show Remote Play Together support.
Does the Steam Overlay always use Shift+Tab on SteamOS?
Shift+Tab is Steam’s default desktop shortcut where the overlay is supported and enabled. On SteamOS, especially on a handheld, use the shortcut or controller mapping configured for the client; the desktop key combination is not guaranteed to be available on every device.
Why did an invite send successfully but my friend still cannot connect?
The game may still apply its usual ownership, lobby, or matchmaking rules. Network restrictions can also block game traffic or Remote Play even when invitations or voice chat work. Check the title’s join requirements and consider firewall, router, proxy, school, or workplace restrictions.
The Bottom Line
On SteamOS, launch the game, open the Steam Overlay with your configured controls, then use Friends to send the game’s available invite. If you are hosting a supported local co-op game, choose Remote Play Together; otherwise follow the title’s normal party, lobby, or matchmaking flow. If something fails, check overlay settings, game support, account limits, and network restrictions in that order.