Borderlands 4 offers exciting multiplayer features, including cross-play that allows players on different platforms to team up seamlessly. However, when it comes to moving saved progress and characters between platforms, the game does not support cross-progression at launch. This means players must keep their progress tied to the platform they started on, limiting flexibility for those who switch devices.
Cross-save functionality is also missing in Borderlands 4 at release, preventing players from carrying their save files across different consoles or PCs. Despite its absence at launch, Gearbox has confirmed that cross-progression and cross-save are planned for future updates, showing commitment to expanding the game’s capabilities post-release.
Players can still enjoy the game’s robust multiplayer experience with cross-platform play available from day one. The current setup focuses on stable multiplayer performance, with the hope that the missing progression features will arrive soon.
Key Takeways
- Borderlands 4 supports cross-play across all platforms at launch.
- Cross-progression and cross-save features are not available when the game releases.
- Gearbox plans to add cross-progression and save transfer in future updates.
Is Cross-Progression Supported in Borderlands 4?
Borderlands 4 does not support cross-progression at launch, meaning players cannot transfer their character progress or save data between platforms. Gearbox Software has confirmed cross-play is available, but full cross-save functionality will arrive in a future update. The impact is significant for players using multiple devices like PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, as progress stays isolated per platform.
What Gearbox Has Confirmed Ahead of Launch
Gearbox Software confirmed before launch that Borderlands 4 will not include cross-progression or cross-save features at release. Players immediately noticed the absence on September 12, 2025, as progress made on one platform (such as Steam or Epic Games Store) cannot be moved to another (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch 2).
The developers emphasized that cross-play is fully supported, enabling Vault Hunters to team up across platforms from day one. However, Gearbox has stated they plan to introduce cross-progression in a future update, though no specific timeline has been provided. This decision was made to ensure a stable multiplayer experience at launch.
Differences Between Cross-Progression and Cross-Save
Cross-progression and cross-save are often confused but represent different features. Cross-progression means that a player’s overall progress, including character levels, items, and story completion, can carry over between platforms.
Cross-save is slightly more specific—it allows the actual save files to be accessed on any supported device. Borderlands 4 currently supports neither at launch. Players must maintain separate saves for each console or PC platform they play on.
Cross-play, which is supported, only enables multiplayer interaction across platforms but does not allow any shared progression data. This distinction is important for Vault Hunters planning to switch devices regularly.
Platform Restrictions and Impact on Players
The lack of cross-progression confines players to one platform’s saves and progress. For example, a player investing hours on a PlayStation 5 character cannot continue that same save on a PC via Steam or Epic Games Store.
Borderlands 4’s current design means users must choose a primary platform or restart progression if switching. This affects those who own multiple consoles or want seamless mobility between home and portable devices like Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch 2.
Gearbox recommends using the same platform if maintaining progression is critical. Although the SHiFT account system helps manage multiplayer features and friend lists, it does not solve progression isolation. Future updates may change this, but for now, progress remains platform-specific within the Borderlands series.
Current Cross-Platform and Multiplayer Features
Borderlands 4 supports cross-play across multiple platforms, enabling players to connect regardless of their hardware. Multiplayer matchmaking and session management rely heavily on SHiFT accounts, which synchronize player data and facilitate friend connections. While cross-progression is absent at launch, future updates are planned to address this limitation.
Cross-Play Availability and Platforms
Borderlands 4 offers cross-play on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S from launch. This allows players on different systems to team up seamlessly in multiplayer sessions. The game will also release on Nintendo Switch 2, which supports cross-play with other platforms, expanding the player pool.
Split-screen mode is available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, allowing up to two players to play together locally while participating in cross-platform online multiplayer. This feature includes both vertical and horizontal splits for convenience.
Cross-play integration enables matchmaking across Steam and Epic Games Store users on PC, enhancing multiplayer connectivity. The wider player base reduces matchmaking times and creates more balanced sessions.
How SHiFT Accounts Enable Multiplayer and Matchmaking
SHiFT accounts serve as the primary hub for multiplayer access and matchmaking in Borderlands 4. Players log in with their SHiFT credentials to join multiplayer sessions, add friends, and share SHiFT codes for in-game rewards. This system links player profiles across platforms, simplifying the process of connecting with friends.
Matchmaking uses the SHiFT network to populate games with compatible players, prioritizing cross-platform pairings when possible. It also manages friend invitations and party formation, allowing mixed-platform groups to play together without restrictions.
In addition to multiplayer facilitation, SHiFT accounts track progress locally, though this data does not transfer across platforms due to the absence of cross-progression at launch.
Future Updates and Expected Cross-Progression Changes
At launch, Borderlands 4 does not support cross-save or cross-progression, meaning player progress and character data remain locked to each platform. Gearbox Software has confirmed these features are planned for future updates, though no firm release date has been provided.
The planned update aims to enable players to carry progress, unlocks, and characters seamlessly across PC, consoles, and Nintendo Switch 2. This would align Borderlands 4 with contemporary multiplayer standards seen in games like Fortnite and Outriders, where cross-progression enhances player flexibility.
Gearbox continues to communicate with the community via Steam posts and social channels, highlighting cross-progression as a priority while focusing on stabilizing cross-play and multiplayer at launch.
