# Sending Match Invites

In order to access online features, the player must be logged in with the **Online Subsystem**. Please visit the [**Authentication**](/kronos-matchmaking/usage/authentication/authenticating-users.md) page for more information.

## Invite Players To The Match <a href="#classes" id="classes"></a>

There are two ways to invite players into a match.

### External Invite UI

This invite method uses the online platform's own invite UI (e.g. **Steam Overlay**) to send party invites. Simply use the `ShowGameInviteUI` to make the external invite UI appear. This is the easiest, most convenient way of handling invites because this way you do not have to set up your own widgets and query friends list. When the user accepts the invite, they will join the game automatically.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Blueprint" %}

<figure><img src="/files/oYysECFfGgsj1JSzxtbY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="C++" %}

```cpp
#include "KronosStatics.h"
```

```cpp
// Show the external invite UI for game sessions (e.g. Steam Overlay).
// Note that not all Online Subsystems support this.
UKronosStatics::ShowGameInviteUI();
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### In-Game Party Invite

You can also use the `SendGameInviteToFriend` function in `KronosStatics`. This function requires the unique id of the friend you want to invite. You can get a list of online friends via the `ReadUserFriendsList` node.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The Steam Online Subsystem does not have the necessary callbacks registered for when an invite is received which means that an in-game "invite received" popup cannot be implemented currently. The invite must be accepted through the Steam Overlay.
{% endhint %}


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