Crossplay: how to turn it on, and why it sometimes isn't there
Updated Aug 18, 2026 · 2 min read
The crossplay toggle lives inside the game's own options, not in your console's or Steam's settings. If it's missing, that specific game doesn't support it yet — it's not a problem with your setup.
Crossplay means players on different platforms — PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch — share the same match or server. The most common mistake is looking for it in the wrong place: it isn't a setting in your console's system menu or your PC launcher, it's a feature each studio implements (or doesn't) inside its own game.
Where it actually lives
It's almost always in the game's own options menu, usually under an "Account," "Social," or "Online" section — not in your console's general settings. Some games enable it by default and you have to turn it off manually if you don't want it; others ship it off and you have to switch it on before matchmaking.
Why the option is sometimes missing
Three reasons cover most cases:
- The game doesn't support it. Not every multiplayer title has crossplay, even years after launch — it's each studio's call, not an industry-wide standard.
- It requires a linked account. Many games require linking your platform account (PSN, Xbox Live, Nintendo) to a publisher account (Epic, Ubisoft Connect, EA App, and so on) before the cross-platform option even appears.
- It's limited to certain modes. It's common for crossplay to be available in co-op modes but not ranked competitive ones within the same game, or the reverse — check the specific mode, not just the game as a whole.
The distinction with cross-progression
Crossplay (playing together across platforms) and cross-progression (your progress and purchases syncing across platforms) are separate features. A game can have one without the other. If what you actually want is to not lose your progress when switching consoles, look specifically for "cross-progression" or "cross-save" in the options — having crossplay on doesn't guarantee it.
What to do if you can't find the option
Before assuming your setup is wrong: check that specific game's patch notes or official support page. If the studio doesn't list it as a supported feature, there's no hidden setting that turns it on — crossplay isn't there yet, or it never arrived.