Is Fortnite cross-platform? How to play with friends
DexertoIn this Fortnite guide, we’ll answer all your questions about playing cross-platform, detailing which platforms are compatible and how to play with your friends—no matter what device they’re on.
Fortnite has become one of the most popular multiplayer games of all time, drawing millions of players daily with its classic battle royale gameplay and ever-expanding roster of pop culture collaborations.
Whether you’re teaming up with friends nearby or across the globe, you might be wondering if you can play together on different platforms and devices, so here are all the answers.
Is Fortnite cross-platform?
Cross-platform is available to play in Fortnite, allowing players on a wide range of devices to join forces or compete against each other. Whether you’re on a console, PC, or Android, you can jump into Fortnite’s battle royale matches with (almost) any other player.
Here are all the platforms where Fortnite cross-platform play is available:
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch
- Windows PC
- Android devices
Is Fortnite cross-platform on iPhone and Mac?
Fortnite is not cross-platform on iPhone or Mac. If you still have the game installed on your iPhone or Mac from before it was removed from the Apple Store, you’re limited to playing with other iOS or Mac players only.
This restriction is due to the ongoing legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple, which means your copy of the game will be outdated and unable to connect with newer versions on other platforms.
How to play cross-platform matches in Fortnite
Playing Fortnite cross-platform with friends is simple, but there are a few essential steps you need to follow:
- Create an Epic account (if you don’t already have one).
- Link your Epic account to your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch account.
- Add your friends by entering their Epic usernames in the Social tab.
- Invite friends to join your lobby or join theirs once they’ve accepted.
- Launch the match to start playing together.
1. Create an Epic Account
First, you’ll need an Epic Games account to enable cross-platform play. If you don’t have one yet, you can sign up via their website. This will only take a few minutes to fill out the necessary details such as your email, username, and date of birth.
Players on PC and Android already have Epic accounts by default, but console players (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) will need to link their Epic account with their console account to access crossplay.
2. Link your Epic account
To link your Epic Games account, start by selecting your profile in the top-right corner of the Epic Games launcher or website. From the drop-down menu, choose Account, then navigate to the Apps and Accounts section.
Here, you’ll see a list of platforms you can connect to your Epic account. Select Connect next to the platform you want to link and follow the prompts to complete the process. You can link multiple platform accounts to your Epic account, but only one account per platform can be connected.
3. Add your friends
Once your Epic account is ready, head to the Social tab in the Fortnite lobby and search for your friends by their Epic usernames. Send them a friend request, and once they accept, you’ll be able to play together, even if they’re on a different platform.
4. Invite friends
After adding your friends, open the Epic Friends section in the Social tab to see who’s online. If they’re available, click their name and choose Invite to Party to invite them to your lobby, or select Join Party to join theirs if the option is available.
5. Launch the match
Once everyone is in the lobby, simply select your mode or Creative map, then hit ‘PLAY’ to start your cross-platform match—just like any other squad.
How to turn off crossplay in Fortnite
Disabling crossplay is not an option on Nintendo Switch, PC, or Android devices. However, keep in mind that crossplay functionality can also greatly reduce queue times when trying to start your matches.
For PlayStation and Xbox consoles, here’s how to turn off crossplay in Fortnite:
- Open the Menu and select the gear icon.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Go to the Account and Privacy tab in the Settings menu.
- Select Gameplay Privacy.
- Locate the Allow Cross-Platform Play option.
- Choose Yes to enable crossplay or No to disable it.
How to fix crossplay not working
Here’s all the ways you can try to fix cross-platform play not working in Fortnite:
1. Check your Crossplay settings
Ensure that crossplay is enabled in your console settings. On your console, navigate to Settings, then go to Account and Privacy, followed by Gameplay Privacy. Look for the Allow Cross-Platform Play option and set it to Yes to enable cross-play.
On all other available platforms it is automatically turned on and can’t be changed.
2. Make sure you’ve added your friends
To play cross-platform, ensure your friends are added to your Epic Games account. You can add friends through the Add Friends option in Fortnite’s social menu, or by downloading the Epic Games Launcher on a PC or Mac to add friends directly.
3. Confirm Cross-Network Play support
Check the platform you’re attempting to play Fortnite on supports cross-network play. Some modes or settings also might not allow cross-platform play, so double-check that the mode you’re choosing is compatible. You can see the full list of available platforms above.
4. Check server status and your internet
Make sure the Epic Games servers are up and running by visiting the official Fortnite status page. If the servers are down, you won’t be able to play cross-platform with your friends. You can check for any scheduled downtime or server outages on our dedicated and updated hub.
Additionally, check your internet connection to ensure it’s stable. A weak or intermittent connection can cause problems with matchmaking and crossplay functionality.
5. Restart Fortnite or your device
If the issue persists, try restarting your game, console, PC, or Android device. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve any lingering issues and help you reconnect to crossplay. Despite being a last resort it has proved to fix it for some players.
For more Fortnite content, check out how to get free Skins, NPC characters locations, best weapons, best skins, and tips to get a Victory Royale.