What Does "Away" on Steam Mean?
When you’re playing games on Steam, you may have noticed that your friends can see your online status as "Away" or "Invisible". But what does it mean when someone is marked as "Away" on Steam? In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of "Away" on Steam and how it affects your online gaming experience.
What is "Away" on Steam?
"Away" is one of the online status options available on Steam. When you’re marked as "Away", it means that you’re not actively playing a game or using Steam for a certain period of time. This status is automatically updated by Steam based on your activity level.
How Long Does it Take to Go "Away" on Steam?
Steam’s "Away" status is triggered when you’ve been inactive on the platform for a certain period of time. According to Steam’s official FAQ, you’ll be marked as "Away" after 5 minutes of inactivity. This means that if you step away from your computer or close your Steam client, you’ll be automatically marked as "Away" after 5 minutes.
What Happens When Someone is Marked as "Away" on Steam?
When someone is marked as "Away" on Steam, it means that they’re not actively playing a game or using Steam. This status is updated automatically by Steam based on their activity level. Here are some things that happen when someone is marked as "Away" on Steam:
- Friends can’t see your game activity: When someone is marked as "Away", their friends can’t see what games they’re playing or when they’re playing them.
- You can’t receive friend requests: When you’re marked as "Away", you can’t receive friend requests from other users.
- You can’t participate in Steam discussions: When you’re marked as "Away", you can’t participate in Steam discussions or post comments on other users’ profiles.
How to Change Your Online Status on Steam
You can change your online status on Steam by clicking on the "Friends" tab and selecting the "Online Status" option. From there, you can choose from the following options:
- Online: This status indicates that you’re actively playing a game or using Steam.
- Away: This status indicates that you’re not actively playing a game or using Steam.
- Invisible: This status indicates that you’re not visible to your friends and can’t be contacted.
What is the Difference Between "Away" and "Invisible" on Steam?
"Away" and "Invisible" are two different online status options on Steam. Here’s the difference between the two:
- Away: When you’re marked as "Away", you’re not actively playing a game or using Steam, but you’re still visible to your friends.
- Invisible: When you’re marked as "Invisible", you’re not visible to your friends and can’t be contacted.
Is it Safe to Add Random Friends on Steam?
Adding random friends on Steam can be risky, as you don’t know who you’re adding. Here are some things to consider before adding random friends on Steam:
- Scammers and spammers: There are scammers and spammers on Steam who may try to trick you into giving them your login credentials or personal information.
- Spam and harassment: You may receive spam or harassment from random friends on Steam.
- Game crashes and bugs: Adding random friends on Steam can cause game crashes and bugs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Away" on Steam means that you’re not actively playing a game or using Steam for a certain period of time. This status is updated automatically by Steam based on your activity level. When someone is marked as "Away", they’re not visible to their friends and can’t be contacted. It’s important to be cautious when adding random friends on Steam and to always prioritize your online safety.