Quick answer on crossplay availability in Borderlands 4 and how to enable it.
Borderlands 4 supports full crossplay. You can play with friends whether they are on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC. The Nintendo Switch 2 version launches on October 3, 2025, and it will also support cross-platform play.
Borderlands 4 Crossplay Guide
Crossplay in Borderlands 4 is not a side feature. It is fully integrated from day one. No matter where you bought the game, you can play with anyone. There is no need to purchase multiple versions or follow your friends to a specific platform. For many players, this makes co-op gaming simpler and more accessible. Everyone can team up, no matter what system they use.
Cross-platform play keeps the community together. Instead of splitting into groups based on hardware, players share the same space. That means more people to squad up with, fewer empty lobbies, and smoother sessions. If you are new to Borderlands or returning after a break, crossplay makes joining multiplayer straightforward.
How to Enable Crossplay in Borderlands 4
Crossplay is normally on by default, but it’s worth checking before you jump in. To make sure it’s set up right:
- Start Borderlands 4 and open the Session Settings.
- You can get there from the main menu or by pausing mid-game.
- Look for the setting called Personal Crossplay.
- Set it to ON. Everyone in your group needs to do the same.
- Once that’s done, you can send invites and play together across platforms.
It only takes a minute to check, and it saves time if something’s not working later.
Personal Crossplay and Party Crossplay: What They Do
Borderlands 4 includes two crossplay settings, and they serve different purposes.
- Personal Crossplay is the main one. It determines whether your account can connect with players on other platforms. If even one person in the group has it turned off, crossplay will not function.
- Party Crossplay is more of a status check. It notifies you if someone in your party has Personal Crossplay disabled. This helps you troubleshoot before a session begins.
SHiFT Account Required for Crossplay: Gearbox Software
To use crossplay, you need a free Gearbox SHiFT account linked to your current platform.
- Visit the official SHiFT website and create an account.
- Log in using your PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, or Epic Games credentials. Support for Switch is on the way.
- Under the Gaming Platforms tab, confirm your account is correctly linked.
Without this link, crossplay will not work. Even if your game settings are correct, an unlinked SHiFT account blocks platform connections.
The SHiFT system lets you add friends regardless of their platform. You do not need a PlayStation ID to find someone on Xbox. Everything runs through your SHiFT account, making the system simple to use, especially if you play on multiple devices.
Setting up SHiFT properly also gives access to in-game bonuses like event rewards, golden keys, and shift codes. Even if you do not plan on using crossplay immediately, it is worth getting it set up.
If Crossplay Is Not Working
Most of the time, it is one of these two problems:
- Personal Crossplay is turned off for someone in your group
- A SHiFT account is not properly linked to the platform
Check these first. They fix most issues without needing to adjust your network or go through advanced settings.
If problems continue, check your internet connection, NAT type, or whether Gearbox is performing server maintenance. Usually though, it is just one of the two basic issues.
Restarting the game or signing in and out of your SHiFT account may also help. Crossplay needs a stable connection for everyone. If one player has a weak or unstable connection, even proper settings might not be enough.
Why Crossplay Matters
Multiplayer has always been a core part of Borderlands. Since the original game, players have teamed up to farm loot, clear missions, and fight bosses together. Borderlands 4 builds on that with crossplay available on every platform from launch.
This removes older limitations. You don’t need to ask what system your friends are using. Just play on what works best for you, link your SHiFT account, and join up. It makes co-op easier and more flexible.
Crossplay cuts the noise. It lets players on different systems play the same game, share what works, and stay part of the same conversations. You don’t need to think about who is on what platform. Everyone is in the same pool, whether you are watching a stream, joining a Discord, or just jumping into a session.
What About Cross-Progression?
At this point, Borderlands 4 does not support cross-progression. If you begin on one platform and switch to another, your progress does not carry over. Even if your SHiFT account is linked, your saved data will stay on the original device.
Gearbox has acknowledged interest in adding cross-progression but has not confirmed anything yet. It is a common request and might be added in a future update.
Until that happens, your choice of platform matters. If you plan to stick with one system, it is less of an issue. But if you want the flexibility to switch, you will need to start over on the new device.
Other games like Path of Exile 2 already offer full progression sync, so this is an area where players expect improvement.
Borderlands 4 Crossplay: What Comes Next
Having full crossplay at launch is a major advantage. It brings more players together, speeds up matchmaking, and reduces platform barriers.
Borderlands 4 dropped on September 12, 2025, and while it’s still early days, there’s hope for features like cross-save down the line if enough players push for it. In the meantime, the best move is to enable Personal Crossplay and link your SHiFT account. That’ll get you connected and looting with friends, no matter where they’re playing.
Whether you play solo or with a squad, crossplay helps you stay connected. It sets a new standard and shows how accessible co-op gaming can be when everyone is on the same page.
The more open a game is to its community, the longer it stays active. Borderlands 4 makes a strong case for day-one crossplay, and while it still lacks cross-progression, the multiplayer side is solid.