Unity Netcode for GameObjects (NGO) is Unity's official networking solution. Universal Friend List supports NGO through the custom server implementation.

Unity Netcode Requirements

• Unity Netcode for GameObjects package installed via Package Manager
• Basic NGO network setup complete
• Unity 2021.3 or newer

Install via Window → Package Manager → Unity Registry → Netcode for GameObjects

Unity Netcode doesn't have a built-in friends system, so the custom server is required:

1. Set Backend Type to UnityNetcode
2. Set Use Native Implementation to false
3. Configure server URLs (see Server Setup)

User ID for Unity Netcode

NGO provides a Client.LocalClientId but this is session-specific. For persistent friends, use your own authentication system:

// After authentication
var userId = myAuth.GetUserId();
friendInitializer.Initialize(userId);

See Scripts/Examples/NetworkConnections/SimpleUnityNetcodeConnection.cs:

using Unity.Netcode;
using UnityEngine;

public class SimpleUnityNetcodeConnection : MonoBehaviour
{
    public NetworkManager networkManager;

    public void StartHost() {
        NetworkManager.Singleton.StartHost();
    }

    public void StartClient() {
        NetworkManager.Singleton.StartClient();
    }

    public override void OnClientConnected(ulong clientId) {
        Debug.Log($"Client {clientId} connected");
        // Use your auth user ID for friend system
    }
}