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Ubisoft games bought on Steam still need Ubisoft Connect. Ubisoft Support says in a Steam forum reply that there is no way to bypass Ubisoft Connect to launch most of its games purchased on Steam. Ubisoft documents an offline mode for PC games, including Steam copies, but it only works if you prepare while you are still online.

Checked October 20, 2026 against Ubisoft’s support page on offline play, Ubisoft Support replies on Steam, ASUS’s offline guide for the ROG Ally and Notebookcheck. Offline behavior has changed between client versions, and we did not test it.

What Ubisoft says you need

Ubisoft’s page on offline play in Ubisoft games on PC covers Steam, Steam Deck, Ubisoft Connect PC, the Epic Games Launcher and the Xbox PC app. Before you go offline, it says to:

  1. Log in to Ubisoft Connect PC with the “Remember me” box ticked.
  2. Update Ubisoft Connect PC to the latest version.
  3. Launch your game while online at least once on the platform you plan to use offline.
  4. Follow the instructions to activate offline mode on Steam, the Epic Games Launcher or the Xbox PC app, where that applies.

To play offline, launch the game and, if a Connection lost message appears, select Go Offline.

Steam’s side

Steam has its own offline mode, and Ubisoft’s page asks you to activate it where it applies. ASUS’s offline guide for the ROG Ally adds that Steam may need an internet check-in every few weeks, that only one device per account can be the designated offline device, and that you can change that device only three times a year.

Ubisoft Connect’s side

The same ASUS guide says Ubisoft Connect should start in offline mode automatically when you have no connection, provided you logged in before disconnecting. To switch manually, open the menu button in the upper left corner and choose Go Offline. Ubisoft Support’s replies on a Steam forum thread say you can also set the Ubisoft Connect client to offline mode in its settings.

What stops working offline

Ubisoft lists cross-progression, online services and in-game stores as unavailable offline. The page says saves are handled differently depending on whether the game uses cloud saves or local saves. We found no list of which games support offline play, so check the specific game before you rely on it.

A conflicting report

Notebookcheck, in a November 2025 article updated in February 2026, wrote that Ubisoft Connect lacks an official offline mode and described a workaround it used. That conflicts with Ubisoft’s own page. Test offline mode at home with your network off before a flight or trip.

Before a trip

  1. Log in to Ubisoft Connect with Remember me, and update it.
  2. Launch each game you plan to play while online, and let updates finish.
  3. Turn on Steam’s offline mode too, where Ubisoft’s page asks for it.
  4. Switch your network off and confirm each game starts.

Sources:

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