How to play with friends using crossplay

You’ve just had an amazing match, made a new friend from halfway across the world, or you're trying to convince your buddy on a different console to join your favorite game. You excitedly ask for their username, only to hit a frustrating wall: "I'm on PlayStation, and you're on Xbox—can we even play together?" This moment of confusion and disappointment is all too common in today's fragmented gaming landscape, where friend groups often span multiple platforms.

Play with friends in crossplay

Thankfully, the solution exists: crossplay (or cross-platform play). This feature allows players on different hardware—like PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch—to connect and play together in the same game session. While crossplay has become a standard expectation in major titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, Minecraft, and Apex Legends, its implementation is not always straightforward or consistent. The "problem" isn't that crossplay doesn't exist; it's that the process to use it can be shrouded in menus, account systems, and platform-specific policies that create unnecessary barriers between friends.

Core Reasons Crossplay Can Feel Complicated

Understanding why linking up with friends can be tricky is the first step to a smooth experience.

Platform Policies and Walled Gardens: Console manufacturers (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo) have historically operated closed ecosystems. Enabling crossplay requires them to open their networks to each other, which involves complex business and technical agreements that can sometimes limit features.

Differing Account Systems: A PC player might use Steam, an Xbox player uses an Xbox Live Gamertag, and a PlayStation player uses a PSN ID. Crossplay requires a unifying account system, often a developer-specific account (like an Activision, Epic Games, or Ubisoft Connect account) that acts as a bridge.

Input Method Disputes: In competitive shooters, a key concern is balancing players using a mouse and keyboard (typically on PC) against those using a controller (on console). Many games offer input-based matchmaking as a solution, which can sometimes complicate party formation if friends use different peripherals.

Varied Friend List Systems: Your console's native friend list doesn't communicate with other platforms. You need to use the game's internal social menu to find and add friends using their crossplay ID.

Opt-In Requirements: On some consoles, crossplay is disabled by default for privacy or competitive reasons. You and your friends must manually enable it in the console's system settings and the game's settings before you can connect.

The Quick Crossplay Connection (For the Impatient)

If you and a friend are in a party chat right now trying to figure this out, follow this universal checklist:

Enable Crossplay in System Settings: On PlayStation, go to Settings > Account Management > Privacy Settings and enable "Cross-Platform Play." On Xbox, it's usually in Settings > Account > Privacy & Online Safety > Xbox Privacy > View Details & Customize > Communication & Multiplayer.

Enable Crossplay in the Game's Settings: Boot up the game. Navigate to the Settings or Options menu, find the Account, Gameplay, or Privacy tab, and toggle "Crossplay" to ON.

Find Your Crossplay ID: In the game's social menu (often under "Friends" or "Profile"), locate your unique Crossplay ID, Activision ID, Epic Games Display Name, etc. This is not your PSN or Xbox Gamertag. Share this exact ID with your friend.

Add Friend Using Their ID: In the same social menu, use the "Add Friend" or "Search" function. Input your friend's Crossplay ID exactly as they gave it to you (including numbers, like PlayerName#12345).

Form Your Party: Once they accept your request, you'll see them online in the game's friend list. Select their name and choose "Invite to Party" or "Join Game."

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide for Universal Success

Phase 1: Pre-Game Setup & Account Linking

1. Research Your Game: First, confirm your game supports crossplay. A quick web search for "[Game Name] crossplay support" will tell you which platforms can connect. Not allgames support full crossplay (e.g., some only connect PC and Xbox, butnot PlayStation).
2. Create and Link a Unified Account: Most crossplay games require a central account.
   • Common Systems:Activision Account (Call of Duty), Epic Games Account (Fortnite, Fall Guys, Rocket League), EA Account (Apex Legends, Battlefield), Ubisoft Connect (Rainbow Six Siege).
   • How to Link: When you first launch a crossplay game, it will prompt you to create or log into this account. You must link your platform account (PSN, Xbox Live, Steam) to this centralaccount. Do this in the game's initial prompts or in the "LinkedAccounts" section of the game/developer's website.

Phase 2: In-Game Configuration

1. Navigate the In-Game Settings Menu: Do not assume crossplay is on. Find it. It's commonly located in:
   • Settings > Account > Crossplay (ON/OFF)
   • Settings > Gameplay > Cross-Platform Play
   • Settings > Privacy
2. Understand Input-Based Matchmaking (For Competitive Games): If you're playing a shooter like Warzone or Apex Legends, look for an "Input-Based Matchmaking" setting. If you're a controller player on PC, enabling this ensuresyou're matched with other controller players, creating a level playingfield with your console friends.
3. Locate Your Crossplay ID/Display Name: This is your universal identity. In the social menu, it might be listed as:
   • Display Name#Numbers (e.g., Spartan117#4492)
   • Activision ID (Call of Duty)
   • Riot ID (VALORANT)
   • Your Epic Games Display Name
     Pro Tip: Some IDs are case-sensitive. Share them exactly as shown.

Phase 3: Adding Friends and Forming a Cross-Platform Party

1. Use the Game's Social Menu to Add: Never use your console's dashboard friend system. Always use the game's own "Add Friend," "Search," or "Social" tab. Enter your friend's full Crossplay ID.
2. The Invitation Process: Once friends, you can typically:
   • Invite to Lobby/Party: From your game's main menu lobby, there's usually an "Invite Friends" option. Select your friend from the in-game list.
   • Join Their Session: If they are already in a match or lobby, you can often select their name and choose "Join Game" or "Join Party."
3. Voice Chat Considerations: Game chat usually works seamlessly. For external apps, Discord is now available natively on PlayStation and Xbox. Alternatively, PCplayers can join Xbox Live parties via the Xbox PC app, and some gamesallow PlayStation players to join via a proprietary system.

Platform-Specific Nuances:

• PlayStation: Often requires the most manual enabling. Double-check both system and in-game settings. You may need a subscription to PlayStation Plus for online multiplayer, even in crossplay games.
• Xbox: Xbox Live is generally more open. The Xbox PC app is excellent for bridging the gap with PC friends.
• PC (Steam/Epic): Ensure the game is updated and your central developer account isproperly linked in the game's settings. Firewall settings can sometimesblock peer-to-peer connections.
• Nintendo Switch: Ensure a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Performance and feature parity (like voice chat) can be more limited on Switch.

Alternative Connection Methods

• Join via Game Session Code/Link: Some games like Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) or Among Us allow one player to host a session and share a simple alphanumeric code or an invite link. Friends on any platform can enter this code to join directly, bypassing friend lists.
• Platform-Specific Workarounds: Some games have limited crossplay. For example, Genshin Impact allows cross-save and crossplay between PC, mobile, and PlayStation,but not with Xbox. Know the limits for your specific title.
• Cross-Progression vs. Crossplay: Don't confuse them. Cross-Progression (like in Destiny 2) lets you carry your character/saves across platforms. Crossplay lets you play with people on other platforms. A game can have one, both, or neither.

How to Avoid Common Crossplay Headaches

• Verify Before You Buy: If playing with friends on other platforms is your main goal, always confirm full crossplay support before anyone purchases the game. Check the developer's official website or store page.
• Complete the Tutorial/Intro: Some games lock social and crossplay features until you complete the introductory missions or reach a certain account level.
• Restart the Game After Enabling Settings: If things aren't working, a full game restart after enabling crossplay and adding friends can clear connection glitches.
• Use a Wired Connection: For the most stable experience across different platform networks, awired Ethernet connection reduces latency and packet loss, which iscrucial for synchronization in crossplay sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is crossplay free to use, or do I need a special subscription?
A: Crossplay itself is free. However, you typically still need the required online subscription for your platform to play online multiplayer at all (PlayStation Plus for PS, Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Core for Xbox,Nintendo Switch Online). PC does not require a separate subscription.

Q: Why can't I hear my friends in game chat?
A: First, check all in-game audio settings to ensure "Voice Chat" is enabled and volumes are up. Second, check your platform-level privacy settings. On Xbox, ensure "You can communicate with voice and text" is set to"Everybody" in the privacy settings. On PlayStation, check "Voice Chat"permissions.

Q: My friend's crossplay ID isn't working. What's wrong?
A: The most common issues are: 1) Typos or missing numbers (#1234), 2) One of you has crossplay disabled in settings, 3) Your developer accounts are not properly linked, or 4) The game's servers are having issues. Double-check each step.

Q: Can I disable crossplay if I want to?
A: Yes, in most games. You can usually turn it off in the same in-game settings menu. Be aware this may significantly increase matchmaking times, as you'll only bematched with players on your specific platform.

Q: Is there a performance disadvantage when playing crossplay?
A: Generally, no. The game's servers handle all players equally. However, hardwaredifferences exist (e.g., PC may have higher framerates, Switch may havelower resolution). For competitive integrity, many games use input-based matchmaking to group controller and mouse/keyboard players separately.

Conclusion: Your Friends List Just Got a Whole Lot Bigger

Crossplay is more than a feature; it's a philosophy that breaks down the barriers between gaming communities. It ensures that the platform you own neverhas to be a reason you can't share an experience with someone important. While the initial setup has a few more steps than traditionalsame-console play, the payoff—a unified, platform-agnostic friendlist—is well worth the few minutes of configuration.

You now have the complete guide, from enabling settings deep in the menusto finally sending that first cross-platform invite. The process islogical once you understand the layers involved.

Ready to finally squad up with all your friends, regardless of what box they play on? Boot up your game, dive into the settings, and exchange those Crossplay IDs. Your next great gaming memory is waiting, and now, no one has tobe left out.

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