To add friends on Game Center on an iPhone, open the Apple Games app, tap Friends, tap the Invite Friends button, search for a contact by name, and tap Invite. Your friend gets a Game Center notification, and once they accept, you can play together, compare achievements, and see each other’s activity.
Older versions of this guide sent friend requests from Settings > Game Center. In current versions of iOS, Apple handles friends in the Apple Games app. The steps below follow Apple’s support article on sending and accepting friend requests and the iPhone User Guide page on connecting with friends in the Apple Games app.
Before You Start
Apple says to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS and make sure you’re signed in to your Apple Account. If you haven’t used Game Center yet, Apple’s guide to setting up your Game Center profile explains how: open the Apple Games app, tap Continue twice, then choose an avatar, a nickname your friends will see, and who can see your game activity. You can also go to Settings > Game Center and turn on Game Center.
How to Send a Friend Request in the Apple Games App
- Open the Apple Games app. If prompted, sign in to your Apple Account and Game Center account.
- Tap Friends, then tap the Invite Friends button at the top of the screen.
- Find a contact by entering their name, then tap Invite. You can also invite someone from your friend suggestions.
- If asked, tap the Send button to send the invitation using the Messages app.
Result: Game Center sends an invitation notification to your friend’s device. Apple notes that if your friend has an older version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, you can send them the invitation in Messages instead.
Add a Friend From the Contacts App
You can also open a person’s contact card in the Contacts app and tap Add Friend on Game Center. If you need to update their details first, here’s how to edit a contact on iPhone.
How to Accept a Game Center Friend Request
Apple lists three ways to respond to a friend request:
- Apple Games app: Tap your avatar, then tap Friend Requests. (Apple’s support article also shows Friend Requests under the Friends tab.) Tap Accept next to each person.
- Messages app: Open the message with the friend request, then tap Accept in the invitation link.
- Settings app: Tap Game Center, then tap Friend Requests.
Help Friends Find You (or Limit Requests)
Two Game Center settings control who can find and invite you. Open Settings and tap Game Center, then:
- Turn on Help Friends Find You to let friends identify you by the email address and phone number on your Apple Account.
- Turn on Allow Request from Contacts Only if you don’t want friend requests from people you don’t know.
How to See, Remove, or Report Friends
In the Apple Games app, tap Friends and scroll down in Friends & Groups to see your friends’ recent activity. You can also go to Settings > Game Center > All Friends.
- Open the Apple Games app, tap your avatar, then tap All Friends.
- Tap the friend you want to remove or report.
- Tap the More button, then choose Remove Friend or Report Friend.
Apple says you can report a user for cheating, an inappropriate picture or nickname, or another problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still add friends in Settings > Game Center?
Apple’s current steps for sending requests use the Apple Games app. In Settings > Game Center you can respond to friend requests, see All Friends, and change who can find or invite you.
Why didn’t my friend get my request?
Make sure you both have the latest iOS. If your friend is on an older version, Apple suggests sending the invitation in Messages.
Can I change my Game Center nickname?
Yes. In the Apple Games app, tap your avatar, tap Edit Profile, then tap your nickname. You can also go to Settings > Game Center > Customize Profile.
Related Guides
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- How to refresh game data in Pokémon GO
- How to set a ringtone for a contact on iPhone
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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