Elden Ring Cross Platform Play Status

If by chance you are trying to determine if Elden Ring will feature cross-platform play in 2026 based upon all of the other releases since its original release, we can save you time right now by saying: No. There are still no true cross-platform capabilities between PlayStation, Xbox, or PC in the form of full matchmaking between those different gaming platforms. So unless you purchase multiple copies of the game, you'll have to play on the same platform with your friends when creating games together. The game itself is still exceptionally good, the game and multiplayer portions of the game are extremely vibrant online, and as of now, there is no definitive news about the addition of true crossplay for Elden Ring.

Overview

In short, the multiplayer situation within Elden Ring is very straightforward to understand when separating fact from fiction; While many players still ask if there have been any updates or changes to the situation since its original release and the long-standing popularity of DLC's and co-op play continues, the answer to that question remains unchanged and that is: There still is no genuine crossplay between PlayStation, Xbox, or PC and therefore, no confirmed plans to incorporate a full cross-platform video game experience for Elden Ring.

Conclusions on Elden Ring Cross-Platform in 2026

As stated previously in this article, the fact that Elden Ring is not cross-platform is not a new issue; FromSoftware/Bandai Namco still have not released an official solution regarding the inclusion of true cross-platform play between Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. While cross-play within Elden Ring will not allow you to summon somebody on PS5 who is playing on an Xbox Series X and vice versa, it is essential to note that cross-platform and cross-generation are entirely different features. Elden Ring can be played online by anyone using the PS4 and PS5 or Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, respectively. All other forms of PS and Xbox games are unable to connect to each other, regardless of whether they are cross-gen or not.

Currently, the following is how to play Elden Ring across the different genres of consoles:

Platform A	Platform B	Can Play Together?
PS4	PS5	Yes (cross-gen)
Xbox One	Xbox Series X	S
PS4, PS5	Xbox One, Series X	S
PS4, PS5	PC	No
Xbox One, Series X	S	PC
PC	PC	Yes

Crossplay Compatibility Across Platforms

On the PlayStation Platform, both systems share a multiplayer connection. This means that for an example, both systems will contain some of the same game people can sign-on to play as a “Furled Finger” and then one player can be summoned from the other system without having to use a special method. As long as both players are still a part of the PlayStation ecosystem, they are able to confirm multiple players online from both platforms.

On the Xbox side of things, the same will be available for the two platforms. For Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S players, players can join and battle online from both platforms in the same matchmaking environment. If you are an Xbox player who is moving between older and newer consoles, this will be much easier for you in that you can move between both platforms without any issues. PC is a separate platform for its own unique gaming experience. This means that, if you're playing Elden Ring through Steam, you'll only be able to match with other PC players; there is no crossplay between PlayStation/Xbox and PC versions of Elden Ring, and that separation was established at launch.

This means that PlayStation and Xbox are not compatible with one another, and even if everyone bought the same edition of the game and all DLCs, those platforms will still remain isolated.

So the biggest takeaway here is:

Additional Multiplayer Limitations in Elden Ring Beyond Cross Platform

The issue of cross-platform play is just one of the limitations players will experience when playing Elden Ring. Elden Ring does not support cross saves, which means any save file made on any platform will stay associated with that platform. In other words, if you have built a character through 200 hours of gameplay on a PC, there will not be a way to transfer that character over to PlayStation or Xbox.

Elden Ring also does not have a cross-progression system. Your level, gear, achievements and total account progress will not carry over from one ecosystem to another. Therefore, if you were to purchase Elden Ring for another platform, you would be starting from scratch.

Finally, if you have purchased DLC for Elden Ring, it can limit your matchmaking options based on how far you have progressed in the game. For example, players exploring Shadow of the Erdtree will primarily be able to find others exploring similar areas of the game, so while there may not be an obvious restriction based upon DLC ownership, the area access and how far other characters have progressed are going to determine whether or not players are able to connect with other players. When thinking about the rules of using each of the following platforms to play:

• PS4/PS5: PlayStation plus is a requirement for playing online.

• Xbox platforms: Active Xbox Online subscription like Game Pass Ultimate is needed to have access to play multiplayer.

• PC (Steam Platform only): You don’t have to subscribe to any services to play online. You only need to own the game.

This PC advantage allows many gamers to use this to their advantage; however, it still doesn’t fix the problems with cross-play.

How Elden Ring Co-Op Works Though No Cross Platform Protection

Even though there is not complete cross-platform support with Elden Ring's co-op system is able to work well if you are in the same console family. The host player uses a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to find summon signs of other players (usually located at or around Sites of Grace or at the ends of dungeons and bosses' fog walls).

To be summoned into the host’s world, players use a Tarnished’s Furled Finger which places a golden sign on the ground for another player to summon them into their world and work cooperatively. Simple system, however it works "well," if everyone are within the same matchmaking pool.

Using a multiplayer password would be the best way to summon a friend for multiplayer. Once both players enter the same password then it will become much easier to find the summon sign as well (i.e. no longer having to sift through the random public signs). The same is also true for cross-gen as well (i.e. PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series S). One common limitation that many find difficult to understand about co-op in Elden Ring is that once the host has completed the main boss of an area, co-op is no longer available in that area. In other words, if you have defeated one of the major dungeon bosses (like Godrick or Rennala), you can’t continue to call for players to join you just because you want to run around the area. The goal of the co-op is to assist in progressing through the game rather than simply being used as an infinite free-roam tool once the boss is defeated.

Best Ways Around Friends Collected on Different System Platforms

Staying inside an ecosystem

If your friends only differ in console generations, the best way around this will be to stay within the same ecosystem and purchase a console that is within the same generation as your existing console. So if you play on PS4 and want to get a PS5, you’ll still be able to play with all of your existing PS Friends, as the case is also true if you are currently on the Xbox One but want to upgrade to a Series X|S.

PlayStation also has some extra advantages here. Players who upgrade to the PS5 will have cloud save support for transferring their save data to the new system. This means that if you are upgrading your system you don’t have to lose your character due to your upgrade. Xbox has similar functionalities with its cloud saves and Smart Delivery.

If your friends are already on the newer consoles in your platform family, this will be the easiest way to resolve joining a game with your friends. You can keep your existing progress, continue using the same system, and continue to play multiplayer together. ### Split Between PC and Console

Things are less convenient when looking at the split of PlayStation versus Xbox when it comes to playing online together. You could buy the same version as your friends and pay for another copy of Elden Ring on the console of their choice, but it can be reasonably expensive, and it’s a hassle to do this with no previous saves, inventory, etc., without being able to utilize crossplay.

The other issue you would have if you decide to do this is that you would have to start from scratch as no character build will transfer. So if you played on PC for a while and have a great character, you have to go out and rebuild that character again once you buy the PS5 version to play with your friends.

However, there is one option here that does work with Xbox Cloud Gaming. If you are using the Xbox version of Elden Ring and streaming it on your PC with Xbox Cloud Gaming, then you are actually playing within the Xbox environment and you can connect with others who play on Xbox. So there may be some very niche cases where this option will help you in your desire to crossplay, but it's definitely not the same as actual PC to Xbox crossplay, and the experience is heavily determined by the quality of the streaming and latency.

Elden Ring Cross-Platform FAQ

Is Elden Ring cross-platform between PC and PS5?

No. Steam players and PS5 players are on completely different server pools and cannot matchmake or provide co-operative functionality together.

Is Elden Ring cross-platform Xbox and PC?

No; not between native versions. The Xbox platforms cannot communicate with the PC version for multi-player gaming and only exception is Xbox cloud computer gaming where you'll get treated like an Xbox gamer playing in the Xbox pool or Xbox arena.

Can I transfer my save file across my gaming platform?

No, you cannot. Elden Ring doesn’t support cross-save transfer between PlayStation (PS4/PS5), or Xbox (Xbox One/Xbox series), or PC, with the only inconsistency being PS4 to PS5 transfer across PlayStation (meaning you can take all your progress from that console to the next).

Will FromSoftware add a crossplay option?

As of 2026, there isn’t going to be an official announcement anytime soon regarding the addition of crossplay to Elden Ring. Whether cross-play will be added in the future is another question. Still, at this point, no one knows why they would do so. Therefore if you have plans to do continue with your co-op player sessions you should assume that these restrictions will be permanent.

Conclusion

So, if you are someone asking, “is elden ring cross-platform”, currently the answer is no, and particularly not in the terms most players would look at it. If you own a Sony console, either PS4 or PS5, you can play/Willing to play with other PS4/PS5 owners who have purchased Elden Ring. If you are an Xbox owner you can do the same thing with other Xbox Game Consoles. The PC has no options; you will be limited to only playing with PC owners.

If you’re working on staying in touch with your friend circle while you enjoy your time together, your best solution is to be on the same console ecosystem when you’re playing. Staying to the PlayStation or Xbox systems through the continuing part of the game/platform is generally going to provide you with the smoothest path of progression along with the simplest co-op gaming options. Should you be at least partially on a PC in your group, you will have to buy an additional copy of the game for the second character you’ve created, and that will ultimately be your 2nd character and copy of the title.

This isn’t how most Tarnished want their questions answered, but that’s just how it is. The multiplayer gaming experience that players are enjoying right now within the constraints of their gaming system continues to be enjoyable; given that you are working towards having the same timing of playing and running and doing co-op activities together with your friends, it remains to be ever more enjoyable.