You can add an installed Epic Games title to your Steam library as a shortcut. This does not turn your Epic purchase into a Steam copy. You still need the account, launcher and licence required by the original game.
What transfers, and what does not?
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Add a non-Steam game | Creates a launch shortcut on that computer. |
| Link accounts in a supported game | Enables the account features that particular game supports. |
| Activate a genuine Steam product key | Adds the matching Steam entitlement, subject to the key’s conditions. |
| Buy a game from Epic | Gives you the version sold there, not an automatic Steam licence. |
Valve’s non-Steam shortcut instructions make the distinction clear. A shortcut does not add Steam ownership, Steam achievements or trading cards. It also does not make Steam download or update the Epic installation.
Add an installed Epic game to Steam
- Install the game using Epic Games Launcher and check that it starts normally.
- Open the desktop Steam client.
- Choose Games → Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library, or the equivalent option under Add a Game.
- Select the game if it appears. Otherwise choose Browse and find the correct executable in its installation folder.
- Add the selection, then test the shortcut from your Steam library.
If the game requires Epic’s launcher or account sign-in, those requirements remain. Some titles do not launch correctly through their executable alone. Use their normal Epic entry if the shortcut fails; copying a Steam executable or renaming files is not a licence conversion.
Will saves, multiplayer and controllers work?
Cross-save and cross-play depend on the individual game’s supported accounts and platforms. Linking an Epic and Steam account for one game does not merge every purchase or saved game across both stores. Check the game’s own support page before changing accounts.
Steam’s overlay and controller features also depend on the game and how it launches. Valve describes the overlay’s support requirements; adding a shortcut is not a guarantee that every feature will work.
If you want the same library convenience for a Microsoft title, see adding Game Pass and Microsoft Store games to Steam. Its licence limits are similar, but the installation methods differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I activate an Epic purchase as a Steam key?
An Epic purchase is not normally a Steam activation key. Only use a genuine key intended for Steam.
Can I uninstall Epic Games Launcher afterwards?
Do not assume so. The game may still require it for launch, updates or authentication.
Will the shortcut unlock Steam achievements?
No. It does not grant the Steam version’s achievements or ownership features.
Does linking accounts transfer all my games?
No. Linking enables only the supported account features; it does not merge the two stores’ libraries.