If you have spent any amount of time in Terraria, you already know how chaotic and creative it can get.
Whether you are building sky castles, dodging traps underground, or trying not to get one-shot by the Moon Lord, playing solo is fun but playing with friends is better. The only problem? That part gets tricky depending on what device you are using.
Current Crossplay Status
As of 2026, Terraria is still not fully cross-platform. That means you cannot jump into a friend’s world from your PC if they are playing on a console.
The only current exception is between iOS and Android users. Mobile players can join each other’s sessions as long as everyone is on the same version. When someone falls behind on updates, the connection fails automatically.
Cross-Generation and Platform Limits
Console players have some cross-generation support. For example, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 users can play together. The same goes for Xbox One and Xbox Series X or S players. This helps a bit, but it does not solve the bigger issue of platform separation.
Right now, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC each operate within their own separate ecosystem. A player on PC cannot link up with someone using a Nintendo Switch. There is also no official way to carry progress between systems. Character files and world saves are tied to the platform where they were created, with no cross-save or shared progression available.
Why Crossplay Is Still Delayed
Terraria rewards long-term players who build, collect, and develop massive worlds over time. Being unable to carry that progress across systems creates a real problem. If you spend dozens of hours unlocking rare weapons and carefully building your base on PC, switching to console means starting from scratch. That alone is enough to turn some players away, especially those who own the game on more than one platform.
So why is this still the case in 2026? Each version of the game was built differently. The PC edition connects through services like Steam and GOG. Consoles each rely on their own internal systems for save files, multiplayer, and updates.
These platforms do not share the same file structure or network code. Connecting them requires deep changes to the game’s foundation. The developers would need to rebuild how saves are stored, how different clients talk to each other, and how version control is managed between devices. None of that is quick or simple. It means reworking systems that have been in place for years.
There is another layer to the problem. Terraria updates have always followed a set pattern. New content lands on PC first. Then it arrives on consoles. Mobile versions usually come last. That delay creates gaps. When one platform receives content earlier than the rest, synchronization becomes impossible.
What Update 1.4.5 Means for Crossplay
The upcoming Update 1.4.5 is supposed to change that. The developers at Re-Logic are working to release this update simultaneously across all platforms. Their goal is to reach content parity so that every version of the game is running the same code. This is the foundation required for any kind of unified multiplayer system.
Crossplay will not arrive the moment Update 1.4.5 goes live. The plan is to roll it out in phases. Console and mobile crossplay will come first, followed later by PC integration. The studio has said they want to make sure everything is stable before moving forward. A launch date has not been confirmed, and platform holder approvals still need to happen.
Community Workarounds
While we wait, some players have turned to unofficial methods. The most common workaround is using TShock, a server mod for the PC version of Terraria.
It allows some compatibility between PC and mobile, but it requires everyone to be on the exact same version. This method often breaks with each new patch and demands some technical setup. Meanwhile, console players do not have similar tools or options.
How to Play with Friends Right Now
So, what should you do if you want to play with friends right now? The simplest option is to pick one platform and have everyone stick to it. That guarantees a stable experience. Players on PS4 and PS5 can share a session without issues. Mixing consoles with PC or Switch will block any attempt to connect.
The good news is that crossplay is no longer a vague hope. It is an active development goal for Re-Logic. Update 1.4.5 is a big step toward making it possible, and the team is putting in the work to make it happen. Just do not expect it all at once. Watch for announcements, be patient, and maybe do a little planning before your next Terraria group project. Full crossplay is coming. It just needs a bit more time.