How to Play Fortnite With Friends Cross-Platform

To play Fortnite with friends on other platforms, make sure Allow Cross Platform Play is set to Yes in Fortnite's settings, add each other as friends using your Epic display names, then invite them to your party from the lobby. Fortnite supports crossplay between PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, and your progress follows your Epic account.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

What you need before you start

• An Epic Games account on every device. Friends lists, parties across platforms and cross-progression all run through it. If you only play on a console, you can sign in at epicgames.com with your PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo account to reach your account settings.
• The same game version. After an update, everyone needs to download it before you can party up. Restarting the game usually triggers it.
• Crossplay switched on where the game offers the option (see below).

Fortnite is free to play. Sony's store page for Fortnite only lists an account for PlayStation for online features.

Step 1: Turn on crossplay

On consoles, Fortnite has a setting that decides whether you play with people on other platforms:

1. In the lobby, open the menu and choose Settings (the gear icon).
2. Go to the Account and Privacy tab.
3. Scroll down to Gameplay Privacy.
4. Set Allow Cross Platform Play to Yes.

Setting it to No limits you to players on your own platform. Epic warns that this makes queue times longer and that some modes may only work in Solo, so you won't be able to team up with friends on other platforms while it's off.

Extra step on Xbox

Xbox has its own privacy setting that can block crossplay in every game. If Fortnite's option is on but you still can't play with PC or PlayStation friends, check the Xbox setting:

1. Press the Xbox button and go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety.
2. Open Xbox privacy, then View details & customize.
3. Open Communication & multiplayer and set You can join cross-network play to Allow.

Menu names can shift slightly with console updates. On a child account, a parent has to allow this through Xbox family settings.

Step 2: Add your friends

You add people by their Epic display name, not their PlayStation or Xbox name:

1. Ask your friend for their Epic display name. They can find it in their Epic account settings on epicgames.com.
2. In the Fortnite lobby, open the Add Friends search.
3. Type their Epic display name and send the request.
4. Once they accept, they appear in your friends list on every platform you play on.

On PC, you can also add friends from the Epic Games Launcher.

If you can't find someone, check the spelling. Display names can change, and Epic only allows one change every two weeks, so a friend who renamed recently may have a different name than you remember. See how to change your Fortnite name for how names work on each platform.

Step 3: Invite them to your party

1. In the lobby, select the + next to your character.
2. Choose the friend you want to invite.
3. When they accept, they join your lobby.
4. Pick a mode that fits your group. Battle Royale squads hold up to four players.

The party leader picks the mode. If a friend can't join, ask them to restart the game and check for an update.

Playing on one console: split screen

PlayStation and Xbox also support split screen, so two people can play on one console with two controllers in Duos or Squads. The second player signs in with their own account on the second controller and joins the lobby. Split screen isn't available on PC, Nintendo Switch or mobile, and it doesn't work in every mode.

Cross-progression: what carries over

Your Epic account carries your progress between platforms. The cosmetics you own and your Battle Pass progress follow you when you sign in on another device with the same Epic account, so you can play on a console at home and on your phone or PC elsewhere without starting over.

If you started on a console, sign in with that same account everywhere. Creating a second Epic account on another device splits your progress in two.

Common crossplay problems and fixes

The gifting rule matters if you plan to buy something for a friend you just added. Gifting also needs two-factor authentication. Our 2FA and gifting guide covers the full rules.

Is crossplay fair for console players?

This is the main reason people switch crossplay off. PC players can run very high frame rates and use a mouse and keyboard, which makes building and editing faster. Console players get aim assist on controllers, which PC players without a controller don't have. Zero Build modes take building out of the equation, which many players find fairer when platforms are mixed.

If you and your friends want to climb together, see the ranked guide for how ranks work.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fortnite cross-platform?

Yes. Fortnite supports crossplay between PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, and your progress carries over through your Epic Games account.

How do I add friends from another platform in Fortnite?

Search for their Epic display name in the lobby's Add Friends search and send a request. Once they accept, you can invite them to your party from the + next to your character.

How do I turn on crossplay in Fortnite?

Open Settings, go to the Account and Privacy tab, scroll to Gameplay Privacy and set Allow Cross Platform Play to Yes. On Xbox, also allow cross-network play in the console's privacy settings.

Why can't I play with my friend on Xbox?

Usually because the Xbox privacy setting You can join cross-network play is blocked. Set it to Allow, check that Fortnite's own crossplay option is on, and make sure both of you have the latest update.

Can I turn off crossplay in Fortnite?

Yes, on consoles. Set Allow Cross Platform Play to No, but expect longer queues, and some modes may only allow Solo.

Does Fortnite have split screen?

Yes, on PlayStation and Xbox. Two players can share one console in Duos and Squads, but split screen isn't available on PC, Nintendo Switch or mobile.