How to Add Installed Games to Your Discord Game Library

Discord has become one of the most popular communication platforms for gamers. One of its best features is the ability to display what game you’re currently playing to your friends. However, Discord doesn’t automatically detect all games. If your game isn’t showing up, here is a step-by-step guide on how to manually add your installed games to your Discord library.

Why Add Games to Your Discord Library

Here are some of the key benefits of adding your games to Discord:

  • Lets your friends see what game you’re currently playing
  • Allows you to stream your gameplay directly in Discord
  • Displays your game as your status to anyone who views your profile
  • Creates a list of all your games in one place for easy access
  • It’s completely free!

How Discord Game Detection Works

Discord utilizes a gaming SDK that allows it to automatically detect most major games you have installed. When you launch a supported game, Discord will display it as your status and add it to your library.

However, many smaller or older games aren’t officially integrated. So Discord won’t recognize them even if you have activity status enabled. Fortunately, there is an easy way to manually add games.

Step-by-Step Guide to Add Games

Follow these simple steps to add your installed games to Discord:

1. Make Sure Discord Can Access Your Game Files

Discord needs permission to scan your hard drive to detect games.

On Windows:

  • Go to Discord Settings > Privacy & Safety
  • Enable the “Scan Game Files” option

On Mac:

  • Go to Discord Settings > Privacy & Safety
  • Click “Open Discord Folder” under Advanced
  • Add Discord to the Full Disk Access list

2. Launch the Game You Want to Add

The game needs to be currently running for Discord to detect it. So launch the game’s executable file directly, or through a game launcher like Steam.

3. Open User Settings in Discord

  • Click the gear icon in the bottom left
  • Choose “User Settings”

4. Go to the Game Activity Section

  • Scroll down and click on “Game Activity”
  • This is where Discord scans for running game processes

5. Click the “Add it!” Button

Discord will display any currently running games it detects. Look for your game and click the “Add it!” button.

If your game isn’t listed, click the refresh icon. This will rescan your system.

6. Select Your Game From the List

A list of potential games matching your process will appear. Select the correct entry for your game.

Once selected, your game is permanently added to your library!

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some things to try if your game still isn’t showing up:

  • Restart your game and Discord app
  • Whitelist your game files in your antivirus/firewall
  • Temporarily disable antivirus software while adding the game
  • Run Discord as administrator
  • Reboot your computer
  • Manually add the game executable file path

You can also browse Discord’s support article for more advanced troubleshooting tips.

Displaying Your Game Activity Status

Once added, your game will automatically display as your status when launched. But you can further customize how it is shown:

Show Game Activity as Status Message

  • Go back to User Settings > Game Activity
  • Toggle “Display current activity as a status message”

This will show “Playing [Game]” under your username.

Enable RPC Status

  • Click on your added game
  • Toggle “Display current activity as a status message”
  • Toggle “Display activity as status message”

This enables rich presence status with live updating game details.

Creating a Discord Game Library Category

To keep your gaming profile organized, you can create a category just for your games:

On Desktop:

  • Go to User Settings > Game Activity
  • Click “Add Category”
  • Name it something like “My Games”

On Mobile:

  • Tap your profile picture
  • Choose “Game Activity”
  • Tap the “+” icon
  • Enter a category name and tap “Add”

You can then sort your games into this dedicated category rather than leaving them in the default one.

Show Off Your PC Games

Adding your gaming collection to Discord makes it easy to see what your friends are playing and share your own activity. So if you have a game that isn’t auto-detected, take a minute to manually add it to your library. Before you know it, you’ll have built up an impressive profile showing off your favorite PC games!