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Yes—Apex Legends supports crossplay between currently supported PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC versions (Steam or the EA app), and it is enabled by default. To add a friend, open Friends → Find Friend, search their EA Public ID, send a request and invite them from your Friends list after they accept.

Two details matter before you queue: a party that includes both console and PC players is placed into PC matches, and the original Nintendo Switch version stopped connecting to Apex servers on August 4, 2026. Nintendo Switch 2 remains supported. EA’s crossplay guide and its Switch support update describe those platform limits.

Which platforms can play Apex together?

EA lists PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam and the EA app as supported crossplay platforms. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 belong to the PlayStation family; Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S belong to the Xbox family. Steam and the EA app are PC versions. Players do not need identical console generations to use crossplay, but platform support can change as Apex is updated.

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Platform Crossplay status
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 Supported
Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Supported
Nintendo Switch 2 Supported
Original Nintendo Switch Support ended August 4, 2026
PC through Steam Supported
PC through the EA app Supported

EA’s current crossplay support page lists the supported families. The original Switch version is no longer playable; EA says future Apex seasons continue on Switch 2 in its Nintendo Switch support update.

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Before you invite a friend

  • Each player needs an EA Account, an internet connection and Apex installed on a supported platform. Make sure everyone has installed the current game update.
  • Each platform account should be linked to the correct EA Account. This is particularly important if a player has more than one EA account.
  • On PlayStation, Xbox or Switch 2, leave cross-platform play enabled. It is on by default, but a player can change it in settings.
  • Both players should be in the lobby to handle the friend request and party invitation.
  • The recipient must accept the friend request before you can normally invite them from the Apex Friends list.

EA’s FAQ says Apex is free to download and play and that PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold and Nintendo Switch Online are not required for Apex online play; platform policies may change. See the EA Apex FAQ for its current requirements.

How to add a cross-platform friend

  1. Launch Apex Legends and go to the lobby.
  2. Open the Friends menu.
  3. Select Find Friend.
  4. Enter the player’s EA Public ID, select the matching account and send a friend request.
  5. Ask the other player to accept the request from the lobby notification.
  6. Return to the Friends list and confirm the player now appears there.

Use the EA Public ID first: it is a straightforward identifier across platforms. Depending on privacy settings, players may also permit searches using an email address, PlayStation Online ID, Xbox gamertag or Nintendo nickname. If a platform name does not return the right account, ask your friend for their exact EA Public ID rather than guessing. The steps and search options are in EA’s crossplay instructions.

How to invite the friend to your party

  1. Once the friend request is accepted, open your Apex Friends list in the lobby.
  2. Select the friend’s account and choose Invite to Party.
  3. The recipient accepts the cross-platform invitation from the Apex lobby.

Cross-platform party invitations appear in Apex’s lobby. Same-platform notifications may also use the platform’s own notification system. Cross-platform parties can use Apex in-game voice chat; microphone access, platform permissions and network conditions can affect whether voice works. EA covers party invites and voice chat in its Apex FAQ.

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Which matchmaking pool will your party enter?

Crossplay lets friends form a party, but the party’s platform mix affects matchmaking. EA describes the pools this way:

Party composition Matchmaking pool
Console players only Console pool, including PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo players
PC players only PC pool; Steam and EA app players are both PC players
At least one console player and one PC player PC matches for the whole party

That last case is easy to miss: a console player who joins a PC friend should expect the group to enter PC matches, not remain in ordinary console matchmaking. EA explains these rules in its official FAQ. Ranked has additional eligibility and matchmaking requirements, so a successful crossplay party setup does not guarantee that every group can queue Ranked; see EA’s Ranked rules.

How to check or change crossplay

Crossplay is enabled by default. On PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2, check the setting if you cannot find or join a friend:

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  1. From the lobby, open the bottom-right Game Menu cogwheel.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Scroll to Cross Platform Play.
  4. Set it to Enabled.

Menu appearance can vary slightly by platform version or localization, but EA’s current label is Cross Platform Play. PC players do not have a setting to disable crossplay, according to EA’s instructions.

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If you intentionally want to disable crossplay

On console, follow the same path and choose Disabled. You will then be matched only with players on your platform who have also disabled crossplay, which can substantially increase queue times. Unless you have a specific reason to opt out, leaving the default enabled setting is the more practical choice.

Crossplay is not cross-progression

Crossplay lets people on different platforms party up and play matches. Cross-progression concerns one player’s own progress and eligible content across linked platform accounts. Inviting a friend does not merge inventories or transfer their progress to your account. EA says cross-progression is available across PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2 when platform accounts are linked to an EA Account; details and platform-specific exceptions are in its cross-progression guide.

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Troubleshooting: friend requests and invites

Your friend does not appear in search

  • Check the spelling and punctuation of the EA Public ID, then confirm you are searching the intended account.
  • If you searched by gamertag, Online ID, nickname or email, ask whether the friend’s privacy settings allow searches by that identifier.
  • Check whether either player has blocked the other. EA says blocking a friend request prevents further crossplay invitations or requests from that user until they are unblocked.
  • Confirm both players are using the EA accounts linked to their active Apex profiles.

The friend request or party invite is missing

  • Confirm the recipient accepted the friend request; sending it alone does not add the player to your Friends list.
  • Have both players return to the lobby, then check the Apex lobby notification and Friends list.
  • Verify console crossplay is enabled, neither account is blocked, the party has room and both clients are updated.
  • Restart Apex after accepting the request and try the invite again.

You cannot join a console friend from PC, or vice versa

Check that both players are friends in Apex and that the console player has Cross Platform Play enabled. Confirm account linking and updates before treating the issue as a matchmaking problem. A mixed party entering PC matches is expected; inability to join is not explained by that rule alone. If these checks do not help, consult the EA Apex support hub for account, platform and connection support.

Steam and EA app players

Steam and EA app players are both PC players and can play together. Find each other through Apex using EA Public IDs instead of assuming Steam friends will automatically appear in Apex. EA warns against launching Apex at the same time through Steam and the EA app on the same linked account because it can cause progression issues; see the EA FAQ.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can PlayStation play Apex with Xbox?

Yes. PlayStation and Xbox players can add one another through Apex’s Friends menu and play together with crossplay enabled.

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Can a console player play with someone on Steam?

Yes. If they party together, the mixed console-and-PC group is placed into PC matches.

Can Steam players play with EA app players?

Yes. Both are PC versions; use Apex’s Find Friend feature and the EA Public ID to connect.

Can I turn off crossplay on PC?

No. EA says the crossplay-off setting is available on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, but not PC.

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Why can’t I find my friend by their gamertag?

Their privacy settings may not allow searches by that identifier. Ask for their EA Public ID and search for it in Apex’s Find Friend menu.

Is the original Nintendo Switch version still supported?

No. EA ended original Nintendo Switch support on August 4, 2026; Nintendo Switch 2 is the supported Nintendo platform.

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