While in Discord, you can show others what game you’re playing or the software you’re currently utilizing. For example, the picture shows the user ComputerHope, who’s “Playing ComputerHope.com” while online. As you use other programs, this status can change automatically to show others what you are doing. In addition, you can set a temporary custom status using text and emojis, regardless of the program running on your device. To enable and customize this option, follow the steps below.

Setting a temporary custom status

  • Open the Discord app on your computer.

  • In the bottom-left corner of the window, click your profile picture.

  • Setting a temporary custom status.

  • Customizing your automatic status.

If you’re accessing Discord on a Chromebook or through a browser window (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.), this feature is not available. You need to be on a Mac or PC with the Discord app installed.

  • From the Activity Status pop-up menu, select Online, Idle, Do Not Disturb, or Invisible to change your status.

  • In the Set a custom status window (shown below), choose an emoji by clicking the smiley face, and type a custom message in the text field.

  • In the Clear after field, select Today, 4 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, or Don’t clear.

  • Click the Save button to set your status for the specified amount of time.

Customizing your automatic status

  • Open the Discord app on your computer.
  • In the bottom-left corner of the window, click the  gear icon (User Settings) next to your Discord name.

If you’re accessing Discord through a browser window (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.), this feature is not available; you need to download the Discord app.

  • In the User Settings window, scroll down to the Activity Settings section and click Activity Status.
  • In the Activity Status window (shown below), ensure the toggle switch is checked and enabled.
  • Once the activity status message is enabled, you can add a game or program by clicking the Add it! button.

You can only add a game or program currently running on your computer. If you’re adding something new, make sure it’s open and running.

Once a program is added, you can change its description to anything. For example, we added the Chrome browser and then changed its description to “ComputerHope.com.” So, anytime we’re in Chrome, it shows “Playing ComputerHope.com.”

To change the description of a program, click the current name to make it a text box where you can customize it. Using the keyboard, erase and type what you want to display.

Finally, make sure the overlay toggle is turned on.

How do I remove an added game or program?

To remove a program, hover the mouse pointer over the program in the Activity Status window and click the red X in the top-right corner.

Discord uses the path to the program executable to determine which one is being used. If the program is moved or uninstalled, this feature stops working. Also, when a program is updated, it may break this feature. If your activity status stops working, remove the program and repeat the steps above.

My program or game is not shown

If the program or game is open and running, but is not shown in the Add it! section, it’s not supported by Discord.

I don’t have an option to add games or programs

To see all options shown above, you must be using the Discord program on your computer. If you’re accessing Discord through your browser or smartphone, the steps above do not work.

  • How to change your Discord username.
  • How to add, change, or delete a Discord profile picture.
  • How to add or remove friends on Discord.
  • See our Discord page for related help and information.
  • Discord help and support.