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Can You Transfer Games from Epic? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can transfer games from the Epic Games Launcher to different locations and, in some cases, even to other platforms. However, the specifics depend heavily on what you’re trying to transfer where. Let’s break down the different scenarios and shed some light on the nuances of Epic Games game transfers.

Understanding the Nuances of Epic Games Transfers

The world of digital game ownership can be a little complex. Unlike physical copies, digital games are tied to accounts and platforms. While Epic Games offers some flexibility, certain limitations exist to protect licensing agreements and prevent piracy. We need to clarify whether you’re talking about moving games within your PC, moving them to another PC, or trying to move them to a different platform altogether. Let’s explore each option in detail.

Moving Games Within Your PC

This is the simplest scenario. If you want to move an Epic Games game to a different drive or folder on the same computer, you can do so relatively easily.

Back up the game files: Before anything else, create a backup copy of the game folder. This is a safety net in case something goes wrong during the move.
Locate the game folder: Find the directory where the game is currently installed (usually within the Epic Games Launcher’s installation directory).
Copy and paste: Copy the entire game folder to the desired new location on your computer (e.g., another drive, a different folder).
Within the Epic Games Launcher, uninstall the game to prepare for the next step.
Restart the install: Initiate the installation of the game again within the Epic Games Launcher.
Pause installation: After a few seconds, the Epic Games Launcher will start downloading the game files. Pause the download immediately.
Replace files: Go to the partially downloaded game folder and replace all its content with the content of your backed-up game folder.
Resume installation: Resume the download in the Epic Games Launcher. It should now detect the existing files and verify them, avoiding a complete redownload.

This method works by tricking the launcher into recognizing the existing game files. Be patient during the verification process. This can take some time depending on the game’s size.

Transferring Games to Another PC

Yes, you can transfer games to another PC without redownloading everything! This is especially handy if you have a slow internet connection.

The process is almost the same as moving games on the same PC, except you will transfer your backed up folder from PC-A to PC-B. This can be done using external hard drives, USB drives, or even over the network.

Back up the game files: Before anything else, create a backup copy of the game folder. This is a safety net in case something goes wrong during the move.
Locate the game folder: Find the directory where the game is currently installed (usually within the Epic Games Launcher’s installation directory).
Copy and paste: Copy the entire game folder to the desired new location on your computer (e.g., another drive, a different folder).
Within the Epic Games Launcher, uninstall the game to prepare for the next step on PC-A.
Install Epic Games Launcher on PC-B and log in to your account.
Restart the install: Initiate the installation of the game again within the Epic Games Launcher on PC-B.
Pause installation: After a few seconds, the Epic Games Launcher will start downloading the game files. Pause the download immediately.
Replace files: Go to the partially downloaded game folder on PC-B and replace all its content with the content of your backed-up game folder.
Resume installation: Resume the download in the Epic Games Launcher. It should now detect the existing files and verify them, avoiding a complete redownload.

Transferring Games to Steam, Xbox, or Other Platforms

Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer game licenses from Epic Games to Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, or other platforms. Games purchased or acquired for free on the Epic Games Store are tied to your Epic Games account.

Steam: While you can add Epic Games to Steam as a “non-Steam game” for organizational purposes, this only creates a shortcut. It doesn’t transfer the game license. You’ll still need the Epic Games Launcher to launch and play the game.
Xbox/PlayStation: Some games offer cross-progression and cross-platform play if you link your Epic Games account to your Xbox or PlayStation account. This allows you to share progress and in-game purchases (excluding V-Bucks) across platforms. However, you still need to own the game on the respective console platform to play it there.
Other Platforms: Generally, direct license transfers between different gaming platforms are not possible due to different licensing agreements and digital rights management (DRM) systems.

Think of it like buying a movie on Blu-ray. Owning the Blu-ray doesn’t give you the right to download the digital version from iTunes for free.

Installing on an External Hard Drive

Installing Epic Games on an external hard drive is straightforward and allows you to expand your storage without upgrading your internal drive.

Connect the external hard drive to your computer.
When installing a game through the Epic Games Launcher, choose the external drive as the installation location. Create a new folder on the external drive to keep things organized.
The game will then be installed directly onto the external hard drive.

You can also move an already installed game to your external drive using the method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of transferring games from Epic Games.

Can I move the Epic Games Launcher itself to another drive without reinstalling? No, you can’t. The Epic Games Launcher needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled to change its installation location. This can be done by uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher, then reinstalling it to your chosen drive. Remember that uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher will remove all games installed on the same drive as the launcher, so it is imperative to follow the steps above to save your game files.
Can I use the same Epic Games account on multiple computers? Yes, you can log in to the Epic Games Launcher with the same account on multiple computers. You can then download and play the games you own on each computer.
Can I merge two Epic Games accounts? No, Epic Games does not allow account merging. This feature was removed due to misuse and potential security risks. You can, however, link your Xbox, PlayStation, and other console accounts to your Epic Games account for cross-progression and cross-play in supported games.
Can I share my Epic Games library with a friend or family member? No, Epic Games does not offer a family sharing feature like Steam. Each account is intended for individual use.
Are free games on Epic Games truly free forever? Yes, games claimed for free on the Epic Games Store are yours to keep forever, even if they later return to their original price.
Can I link my Epic Games account to multiple Xbox accounts? No, you can only link one Xbox account to an Epic Games account. If you disconnect one Xbox account, you won’t be able to link a different Xbox account to the same Epic Games account.
Can I get a Steam key for a game I own on Epic Games? No, Epic Games does not provide Steam keys for games purchased or claimed for free on their platform. Licenses are platform-specific.
Why can’t I uninstall the Epic Games Launcher? Ensure that all Epic Games-related processes are closed in the Task Manager. Sometimes, background processes prevent the uninstaller from running.
How do I enable cloud saves for my Epic Games? Open the Epic Games Launcher, click on your profile icon in the top-right corner, go to Settings, and check the “Enable Cloud Saves” box.
Is it safe to buy games from the Epic Games Store? Yes, the Epic Games Store is a safe platform to purchase games. Epic Games is a reputable company with robust security measures in place.
Can I play games directly from an external hard drive? Yes, you can play games installed on an external hard drive. However, performance may be slightly slower compared to playing from an internal SSD, especially for games that require fast loading times.
Can I transfer V-Bucks between platforms? No, V-Bucks are platform-specific and cannot be transferred between different platforms (e.g., from PC to Xbox). This restriction is imposed by the platform holders.
What if I get an error saying my Epic Games account is already associated with another account? This means that the console account you’re trying to link is already connected to a different Epic Games account. You’ll need to unlink the console account from the other Epic Games account first.
Why was the account merging feature removed from Epic Games? The account merging feature was removed to prevent fraud, account selling, and other policy violations.
Can I have two Epic Games accounts with the same email address? No, each Epic Games account requires a unique email address. You cannot create multiple accounts with the same email.

Final Thoughts

While direct license transfers between different gaming platforms are generally not possible, Epic Games offers some flexibility in moving games between computers and drives. Understanding these options and limitations will help you manage your Epic Games library effectively. For more information about game design, game-based learning, and the educational applications of games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Enjoy gaming!

Can you transfer games from Epic?