Yes, Borderlands 4 has crossplay. Gearbox confirmed that its 2025 looter shooter supports cross-platform cooperative play across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, letting you team up with friends regardless of which system they own. This was one of the most requested features from the community after previous entries launched with limited or delayed cross-platform support, and Gearbox delivered it as a core part of the multiplayer experience. If you have been wondering whether you can finally squad up with a friend on a different console, the answer is a resounding yes.
Below we explain exactly how Borderlands 4 crossplay works, which platforms are included, how to invite friends, and how it compares to other cross-platform co-op shooters. We also cover the finer details around friend codes, matchmaking, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version so you know precisely what to expect before you dive into the vaults of Kairos.
Quick answer: Our top pick in 2026 is the Borderlands 4 — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.
How Borderlands 4 Crossplay Works Across Platforms
Borderlands 4 uses a unified friend system built around Shift accounts, the same service Gearbox has used for years to distribute in-game rewards. By linking your Shift account, you gain a persistent friends list that follows you across every platform, making cross-platform invitations straightforward. To see how it stacks up against other titles, jump to our crossplay shooter comparison below.
| Game | Platform | Genre | Why It’s Great | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borderlands 4 | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 | Looter Shooter | Full crossplay co-op and chaotic four-player vault hunting | 9.0/10 |
| Borderlands 3 | PC, PS5, Xbox | Looter Shooter | Cross-play co-op added post-launch, huge loot variety | 8.7/10 |
| Destiny 2 | PC, PS5, Xbox | Looter Shooter | Full crossplay across all platforms with deep endgame | 8.9/10 |
| Outriders | PC, PS5, Xbox | Looter Shooter | Cross-platform three-player co-op campaign | 8.0/10 |
| Warframe | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Looter Shooter | Full cross-play and cross-save across every system | 8.8/10 |
| Remnant 2 | PC, PS5, Xbox | Souls-like Shooter | Cross-play three-player cooperative survival | 8.6/10 |
| Deep Rock Galactic | PC, Xbox, PS5 | Co-op Shooter | Crossplay dwarven mining and combat for four | 9.1/10 |
| Payday 3 | PC, PS5, Xbox | Co-op FPS | Full crossplay heisting for four players | 7.8/10 |
Which Platforms Support Borderlands 4 Crossplay
At launch, Borderlands 4 crossplay connects PC players, whether on Steam or the Epic Games Store, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S users. The Nintendo Switch 2 version, which arrived shortly after the main release, also joins the cross-platform pool, meaning all four major platforms can play together. This unified approach ensures the player base stays healthy and matchmaking queues remain short across every system.
How To Enable Borderlands 4 Crossplay With Friends
Getting a cross-platform session running is simple. First, link your Shift account within the game’s menus. Then add your friends using their Shift display names or friend codes through the in-game social menu. Once connected, you can invite them directly into your game regardless of their platform. Crossplay is enabled by default, though you can toggle it off in the settings if you prefer to play only with others on your own system.
Does Borderlands 4 Crossplay Include Cross-Save?
Crossplay and cross-save are separate features, and it is worth understanding the distinction. Crossplay lets you play together across platforms, while cross-save lets you carry your character progress between them. Gearbox has expressed support for cross-progression, allowing you to continue your vault hunter on different systems. Always check the latest patch notes, since save-transfer functionality is sometimes rolled out separately from launch-day crossplay. Our cross-save explainer covers this in depth.
Crossplay Shooter Comparison
Borderlands 4 joins a growing club of looter shooters that embrace full cross-platform play. Destiny 2 and Warframe pioneered seamless crossplay in the genre, while Deep Rock Galactic proved how much richer co-op becomes when platform barriers fall. Borderlands 4 arguably offers the most chaotic and loot-drenched of these experiences, with its trademark billions of gun combinations. See our best co-op looter shooters roundup for the full field.
Troubleshooting Borderlands 4 Crossplay Issues
If you cannot connect with a cross-platform friend, verify that both players have linked their Shift accounts and that crossplay is enabled in each person’s settings. Ensure both copies of the game are fully updated, since version mismatches block matchmaking. Restarting the game after adding a friend often resolves lingering invitation problems. Platform-level privacy or parental settings can also occasionally interfere with cross-platform invites.
Why Borderlands 4 Crossplay Matters For Co-op
The Borderlands series has always been at its best in four-player co-op, where the loot chaos and comedic writing truly shine. By supporting full crossplay, Borderlands 4 removes the biggest obstacle keeping friend groups apart: owning different hardware. Whether your squad is split between PC and consoles, everyone can now hunt vaults together, share loot, and tackle the endgame side by side without compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Borderlands 4 have crossplay on all platforms?
Yes, Borderlands 4 crossplay supports PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version. All four platforms share a unified player pool, so you can team up with friends no matter which system they own. Crossplay is enabled by default through the linked Shift account system.
How do I turn on Borderlands 4 crossplay?
Crossplay is active by default once you link your Shift account. Add friends via their Shift display names in the in-game social menu, then invite them directly into your session regardless of platform. If you wish to play only with people on your own system, you can disable crossplay in the game’s network settings menu at any time.
Is Borderlands 4 crossplay the same as cross-save?
No, they are distinct features. Borderlands 4 crossplay lets players on different platforms play together in the same session, while cross-save transfers your character progress between systems. Gearbox supports cross-progression, but save-transfer capability may roll out separately from launch. Check current patch notes to confirm which cross-save options are active for your platforms.
Can PC and console players do Borderlands 4 crossplay together?
Absolutely. Borderlands 4 crossplay was specifically designed to unite PC and console players. A friend on Steam can join a PlayStation 5 player, who can in turn team with an Xbox Series X user. This full cross-platform support keeps friend groups together and ensures matchmaking pools stay large and queue times remain short.
Does Borderlands 4 crossplay work with previous Borderlands games?
No, crossplay only functions within Borderlands 4 itself. You cannot connect a Borderlands 4 session with Borderlands 3 or earlier titles, as each game runs on its own separate servers and version. However, within Borderlands 4, all supported platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch 2 can freely play together in co-op.
Related Guides
- Hunting Games Pc (2026 Guide)
- Best 4 Player Campaign Games Pc (2026 Guide)
- Borderlands 4 Cross Progression (2026 Guide)
Ready to decide? Our #1 pick for 2026 is the Borderlands 4.
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