Palworld crossplay: PC, Xbox, and PS5 on one server
Palworld supports crossplay between Steam, Xbox, the Windows version from the Microsoft Store, PS5, and Mac. You do not need a separate server per platform. What matters is that your server allows the platforms you use and is reachable via the appropriate method.
For Xbox and PS5, the server must appear as a Community Server in the server list. Crossplay permission and visibility in this list are two different settings. A server that a Steam player can join via IP is therefore not automatically reachable for console players. Pocketpair distinguishes this in the official overview of server types and platforms.
Which Palworld versions can play together?
| Game version | Entry in the server configuration |
|---|---|
| Steam on PC | Steam |
| Xbox and Windows PC version from the Microsoft Store | Xbox |
| PlayStation 5 | PS5 |
| Mac version | Mac |
For the PC version, it is not just about the computer: For a player with the Microsoft Store version, Xbox must be allowed, even if they are not playing on a console.
Set up crossplay on your server
Back up your configuration and your Palworld savegame before making changes. Inform connected players and stop the server. Wait until the status reads Server is not running.
In Advanced Mode, edit PalWorldSettings.ini. The corresponding path on a Linux server is:
Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini
Within the existing OptionSettings=(...), search for CrossplayPlatforms. For all supported platforms, the value is:
CrossplayPlatforms=(Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac)
This is only an excerpt, not a complete configuration file. Replace the existing entry. If it is missing, add it within OptionSettings, separated from the other settings by a comma. Keep the remaining values and the outer closing parenthesis. Then save and restart the server.
Do not edit DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini: Changes to this template file do not affect the active configuration. The official parameter documentation lists CrossplayPlatforms as the relevant setting; AllowConnectPlatform is no longer used.
Xbox and PS5: Make the server visible as a Community Server
For console players to find your server, it must be registered for the Community Server list at startup. For self-hosted Palworld servers, Pocketpair uses the launch parameter:
-publiclobby
This parameter belongs to the server start, not in PalWorldSettings.ini. Pocketpair describes the technical setup under Configure a Community Server.
On your rented server, startup is controlled via the server management. If it does not appear in the Community list despite allowed platforms and you cannot find a corresponding setting, contact support with your configuration ID. State that Xbox or PS5 players should be able to join and that the community registration needs to be checked.
How your friends can join
Via the Community Server list
- Start Palworld and open the server list for multiplayer servers.
- Select Community Server.
- Search for your server name and select the correct entry.
- When prompted, enter the server password.
Use a unique server name so you do not confuse it with another entry. To join, you need the server password, not the admin password.
Via IP address and port
If your game version offers a field for direct connection, you can use the address from your server management:
SERVER-IP:PORT
Enter the port exactly as shown. For Xbox and PS5, use the method described above via the Community list. Both connection methods are shown in the official joining guide.
Crossplay is not working: What should you check?
Proceed based on the symptom instead of changing multiple settings at once:
| Problem | Next check |
|---|---|
| Steam players can join, Xbox or PS5 players cannot | Check platform permission and community server registration separately. |
| A player with the Microsoft Store version cannot join | Verify that Xbox is included in CrossplayPlatforms. |
| The server is missing from the list | Check server status, community registration, and the server name used. |
| Joining fails after an update | Check whether the server and the affected game version are on a compatible version. Note the displayed version numbers for a support request. |
| The password is rejected | Use the server password; the admin rights password is different. |
| The change is not applied | Check the active file, position within OptionSettings, commas and parentheses. Then restart. |
If the problem persists, note the exact error message, the platform, and the time of the attempt. It also helps to know whether other players are already connected. This makes it easier to determine whether the issue is platform permission, reachability, or an individual client.
You can find more troubleshooting steps under Narrow down Palworld connection issues. If your server is not set up yet, start with Start server and join.
