Valheim Crossplay still connects PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 players after the 28 October 2026 Patch 1.0.21. Iron Gate says the update is rolling out over several days but that cross-platform multiplayer remains functional while players receive it.
The main PlayStation change is a clearer warning: PS5 players now see an information popup if they try joining a crossplay server with PS5-only enabled. Turning off that restriction is part of troubleshooting the setting conflict, not a change to the supported platform list.
Valheim Crossplay after Patch 1.0.21
Iron Gate’s notes explicitly confirm that crossplay will keep working while the patch reaches different platforms. The staggered download does not mean a mixed PC and console group has to rebuild a world or switch to a different server provider.
PlayStation 5 now displays an information popup if the PS5-only toggle is enabled when the user tries to join a crossplay server. Check that setting if your friend’s cross-platform Join Code points to a server that isn’t accepting your connection. The popup identifies a settings conflict; it doesn’t mean PS5 crossplay has been removed.
On PC and consoles, the usual Join Code and dedicated-server options remain the main ways to join friends. Version 1.0.21 also fixes a separate Xbox Start Game interface issue caused by invalid world or character names. That Xbox menu bug is not the same as a crossplay network failure.
How Valheim Crossplay Works
Start or join a multiplayer world as normal. If the group is split across platforms, use the server’s Join Code rather than relying on a platform-specific friends list.
The host can copy the Join Code from the pause menu. The joining player enters it through Join Game and Add Server.
Which Platforms Support Crossplay?
| Platform | Crossplay |
|---|---|
| Steam / Windows | Yes |
| Linux | Yes |
| Mac | Yes |
| Microsoft Store PC | Yes |
| Xbox One | Yes |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes |
Iron Gate describes Valheim Crossplay as full crossplay across all current platforms. There is no separate PS5-only or Switch 2-only matchmaking pool in the official 1.0 information.
Can Dedicated Servers Use Crossplay?
Yes. A dedicated server can use Valheim Crossplay by adding -crossplay to its launch arguments. That switches the server to the PlayFab backend.
PlayFab relays the external connection, so normal router port forwarding is not required for a crossplay server. Servers using the Steam backend without the crossplay argument are limited to Steam users.
Does Crossplay Mean Cross Progression?
No. Valheim Crossplay lets different platforms share a server, but it does not make every character or world save follow you from one system to another.
The supported save-sync exception is Xbox and the Microsoft Store PC version. Steam, PS5 and Switch 2 do not gain universal cross-save just because multiplayer is cross-platform.
How Many Players Can Join?
Valheim Crossplay does not change Valheim’s server cap. Version 1.0 remains a one-to-ten-player game, including mixed-platform worlds.
Does the Host Need the Same Platform?
No. The host and guests do not need matching hardware or storefronts when the server is running with cross-platform support enabled. A Steam player can host while console players join through the shared server route.
Platform subscriptions can still matter on consoles. Cross-platform support does not remove Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo’s own requirements for online multiplayer on their hardware.
What Happens If a Server Is Not Crossplay-Enabled?
A dedicated server launched on the Steam backend without the crossplay flag is effectively a Steam-only server. Console players will not be able to use that setup simply by knowing the world password.
For an existing PC community adding PS5 or Switch 2 friends after full release, checking the backend setting is therefore one of the first troubleshooting steps.
The official Valheim crossplay FAQ explains the Join Code and dedicated-server rules used for Valheim Crossplay.
Related Guides
Related Guides: Valheim Crossplay
Official source: Iron Gate Studio: Patch 1.0.21.
