Borderlands 4 Crossplay Support and Platform Availability
Borderlands 4 offers full crossplay functionality across multiple major gaming platforms. Players can team up regardless of their system, using Gearbox’s SHiFT account system to link platforms and manage sessions. This enables consistent multiplayer experiences and broadens player interaction.
Supported Platforms for Crossplay
Crossplay in Borderlands 4 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch 2. Each platform requires the latest game version and an active internet connection.
Local split-screen is supported only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, while PC and Nintendo Switch 2 do not support this feature. Online multiplayer requires a SHiFT account, which must be linked to each platform to enable cross-platform friend management and matchmaking.
Platform-specific subscriptions are also necessary: PlayStation Plus for PS5 players, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Gold for Xbox users, and Nintendo Switch Online for Switch 2 owners.
How Crossplay Works in Multiplayer Sessions
Crossplay is enabled by default once a player links their SHiFT account to their gaming platforms. Within the game, players can toggle “Personal Crossplay” in the Session Settings to allow or restrict players from other platforms in their multiplayer sessions.
Borderlands 4 supports up to 4-player online cooperative sessions across all platforms. Players can invite SHiFT friends by their exact username or use platform-specific friend lists to create cross-platform parties. A single party member disabling crossplay will block cross-platform participation for the entire group.
The SHiFT system handles matchmaking and party management, ensuring seamless connectivity and synchronization across the supported platforms.
Benefits for Matchmaking and Platform Choice
Crossplay connects Borderlands 4 players into one unified community, improving matchmaking speed and quality. Larger player pools reduce wait times and enhance the chance of balanced multiplayer sessions.
Players can choose their preferred platform without losing connections to friends on other systems. This allows flexibility for groups with mixed hardware while maintaining access to shared Vault Hunter experiences.
Split-screen features on consoles provide local co-op options, while PC and Switch 2 benefit from smooth online multiplayer. Overall, crossplay enhances social and competitive opportunities regardless of platform choice.
Setting Up Crossplay in Borderlands 4
To play with friends across different platforms, players must connect their accounts and adjust settings properly. The process starts with SHiFT account creation and involves linking platform profiles, followed by managing session controls to enable smooth crossplay.
SHiFT Account Requirements
A SHiFT account is essential for crossplay in Borderlands 4. Players need an active internet connection and an email or existing platform account, such as Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Epic Games Store, to register.
Creating the SHiFT account can be done at the official SHiFT website or through the in-game menu. Verification of the email address is required to complete the setup. The account acts as the central hub for matchmaking, cross-platform friend management, and SHiFT code redemption.
Once registered, the SHiFT account supports linking multiple platforms under one profile. This flexibility allows Vault Hunters to join games on PC, consoles, or Switch while maintaining a unified friends list and rewards system.
Linking Accounts Across Platforms
Linking platform accounts is a crucial step to enable crossplay functionality. Players must access their SHiFT account settings and add accounts from PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, or Nintendo Switch.
This linking ensures that friends lists are synchronized and cross-platform invitations work correctly. Without this step, players might face issues with friend management and session joining.
The system supports multiple platforms linked to one account, but progress and saves remain isolated per platform. Each linked account must be authorized to access the player’s game data and crossplay features.
Crossplay Settings and Session Controls
Crossplay is enabled by default but can be controlled in the Session Settings menu. Players must toggle “Personal Crossplay” to allow or restrict cross-platform participation in their sessions.
Party settings affect both invited friends and matchmaking. If any party member disables crossplay, it will block cross-platform functionality for the whole group.
Players can set session privacy to public or friends-only, impacting who can join. Communication across platforms is not natively supported, so external apps like Discord are recommended for voice chat coordination during crossplay sessions.
Cross-Save, Cross-Progression, and Local Multiplayer Options
Borderlands 4 allows players to engage with friends across platforms in multiplayer sessions, but save data and progress sharing between platforms is limited. The game retains local co-op support, providing familiar split-screen play. The following details outline the current state of these features and future intentions.
Status of Cross-Save and Cross-Progression Features
At launch, Borderlands 4 does not support cross-save or cross-progression. Players cannot transfer their save data or character progression between different platforms. This means progress made on PC will not carry over to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch 2.
Gearbox has acknowledged this limitation publicly and indicated that adding these features is under consideration for future updates. Until then, separate save files must be created for each platform used. Players should also note that owning the game on each platform is necessary to maintain access to their progress.
Split Screen Mode and Local Co-Op Details
Borderlands 4 maintains support for split screen multiplayer, similar to Borderlands 3. This local co-op feature allows up to four players to share a single system for cooperative play, including leveling, looting, and story progression.
Split screen mode is available on all major platforms at launch. This mode remains a valuable option for players who prefer in-person multiplayer sessions or lack reliable online connectivity. However, split screen does not interact with online cross-play features and remains a local experience.
Comparison to Borderlands 3 and Planned Updates
Borderlands 3 launched with both cross-play between platforms and limited cross-progression in some versions. In contrast, Borderlands 4 omits cross-progression and cross-save at release, focusing on ensuring smooth cross-play and stable multiplayer.
The absence of these features in Borderlands 4 parallels early access phases seen in other titles. Gearbox has communicated plans to eventually introduce cross-save and cross-progression through updates, but no specific timeline has been confirmed.
Players should expect to continue managing platform-specific saves and game purchases until these features are implemented. DLC ownership and content progress will remain tied to the original purchase platform in the interim.
