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How to Open the Ubisoft Connect (Uplay) Overlay

Press Shift + F2 in a supported PC Ubisoft game to open the Ubisoft Connect overlay. Learn what to check if it does not appear.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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On PC, press Shift + F2 while a supported Ubisoft game is running to open the Ubisoft Connect overlay. Uplay is the service’s former name; Ubisoft Connect is the current client and overlay. The same shortcut toggles the overlay closed. Ubisoft describes Connect as the evolution of Uplay and Ubisoft Club.

Open the Ubisoft Connect overlay on PC

  1. Open Ubisoft Connect and sign in to the Ubisoft account associated with the game. Ubisoft Connect is a free service that requires a Ubisoft account; it is available through the desktop app and in supported games. See Ubisoft’s Connect download and account information.
  2. Start the game and wait until its main menu or gameplay is active.
  3. Press Shift + F2. This is the default PC shortcut identified by Ubisoft Support for opening and closing the overlay in supported games. Ubisoft Support’s shortcut guidance.
  4. Choose an available feature, such as friends, chat, invites, rewards, challenges, or notifications. What appears depends on the game, platform, account, and online features available. Ubisoft notes that Connect features vary by game and platform.

Press Shift + F2 again, or use the overlay’s close control, to return to the game. On some laptops or compact keyboards, F2 may require holding the Fn key; the exact key behavior depends on the device’s keyboard configuration.

If Shift + F2 does not work

Enable the in-game overlay

In the Ubisoft Connect desktop application, open its menu or Settings and look in the general or interface options for the in-game overlay setting. Ubisoft Support has referred to the option as “Enable in-game overlay for supported games.” Turn it on, then fully quit and reopen Ubisoft Connect and the game. Menu wording and location can change; consult Ubisoft’s current overlay help article.

Confirm the client and account

Make sure Ubisoft Connect is running and signed in to the account linked to the game. A game may launch through another store while still relying on Ubisoft Connect for authentication or services. If the game opens but the overlay does not, check the overlay setting and restart sequence before reinstalling anything.

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Check the shortcut and possible conflicts

Verify that the overlay shortcut has not been changed and that another application is not intercepting Shift + F2. Ubisoft Support recommends checking both the overlay setting and shortcut when troubleshooting. Read Ubisoft Support’s troubleshooting guidance. If your client offers shortcut customization, assign a key combination that is not already used by the game or another overlay; the exact setting varies by client version.

Restart cleanly, then test again

  1. Exit the game.
  2. Quit Ubisoft Connect completely, including from the Windows notification area if it remains open there.
  3. Reopen Ubisoft Connect and sign in.
  4. Launch the game and test Shift + F2 at its main menu.

If another overlay or background utility may be capturing the shortcut, close it temporarily and test again. A clean boot can help identify background software interference, but it is an advanced Windows troubleshooting step rather than a required first fix.

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Check support for the game and feature

The shortcut is for supported PC integrations, not a guarantee that every Ubisoft game or launch mode exposes an overlay. A particular feature may also be unavailable because of the game, platform, account, connection status, or mode. Ubisoft describes Connect as accessible in supported games, rather than promising identical functionality everywhere. Ubisoft Connect platform information.

Disable the overlay

Open Ubisoft Connect’s settings, find the in-game overlay option, and turn it off. The precise menu wording may differ between client versions. Disabling it removes in-game access to Connect features and can be a useful troubleshooting test if pop-ups, input conflicts, or other problems occur; it is not a guaranteed performance or crash fix. To restore the overlay, turn the option back on and relaunch the client and game.

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Steam, Epic, consoles, and other platforms

Steam and Epic Games Store

A Ubisoft game bought through Steam or Epic may still launch Ubisoft Connect or require it for authentication. The Steam or Epic overlay is separate from the Ubisoft Connect overlay. Make sure the Ubisoft client is running and using the account linked to the game, then try the Ubisoft shortcut and troubleshooting steps above. Exact behavior depends on the game and launcher.

Console

Shift + F2 is a PC keyboard shortcut, not a PlayStation or Xbox command. On console, look for a Ubisoft Connect option in the game’s main menu or pause menu. Some social functions may instead use the console’s own friends and invite controls. Ubisoft Connect is available directly from supported games on PC and console, but the controls and features vary by title and platform. Ubisoft’s platform information.

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Steam Deck, Mac, and cloud gaming

On handhelds, compatibility layers, Mac setups, and cloud-streamed games, the shortcut may depend on the keyboard, function-key mapping, game compatibility, or streaming service. A physical keyboard may be the simplest way to test Shift + F2; if the game has a Ubisoft Connect button in its menu, try that as an alternative. Support can vary, so a working shortcut on a Windows PC should not be assumed to work in every streamed or compatibility-layer setup.

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