Palworld Crossplay: Steam and Xbox Setup

Palworld supports crossplay between Steam and Xbox Game Pass (PC). Players on different platforms can join the same server and play together. Enabling it requires the right server configuration.

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Enabling crossplay

According to Pocketpair's official documentation, dedicated servers are open to crossplay with Steam, Xbox (console and the Microsoft Store version for PC), PS5 and Mac by default. The setting CrossplayPlatforms in PalWorldSettings.ini decides which platforms can connect; the default is (Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac). The older AllowConnectPlatform setting is no longer available in the current version.

Important notes

• Xbox and PS5 players: according to Pocketpair, they can only join a community server. You start one with the launch option -publiclobby; it then appears in the community server list.
• Community servers: the in-game community browser does not always show all servers. Players can connect directly via IP address.
• Version matching: Steam and Xbox may update at different times. If versions do not match, players on the outdated platform cannot connect until they update.

How players connect

Steam players connect via the server browser or by entering the IP and port directly. According to Pocketpair, Xbox players (console and the Microsoft Store version for PC) and PS5 players can only join a community server, which they find in the community server list. If the server does not appear in the browser, direct connection by IP is the reliable fallback.

Troubleshooting

• Xbox player cannot find the server: verify that CrossplayPlatforms includes Xbox and that the server runs as a community server. Xbox players look for the server in the community server list.
• Connection refused: confirm that the server and client versions match. Steam and Xbox can receive updates at different times.
• NAT issues for Xbox players: Xbox Game Pass uses a different network stack. Connection problems often originate on the player's side (NAT type, firewall).

Server settings for mixed platforms

There are no separate gameplay settings per platform. All players share the same world, the same rules and the same difficulty. The only platform-related setting is CrossplayPlatforms. Everything else applies equally to all connected players.

On your Palworld server at HostValues you edit PalWorldSettings.ini through the file manager in the game panel or via SFTP.

Do Steam and Xbox players see each other's characters?

Yes. Once connected to the same server, all players interact normally regardless of platform. They can join the same guild, share bases and trade Pals.

Are there gameplay differences between platforms?

No. The game is identical. Steam players may receive updates slightly earlier, but gameplay and features are the same.

Can I switch the platform setting on an existing server?

Yes. Changing CrossplayPlatforms in PalWorldSettings.ini and restarting the server is all it takes. Player data and world progress are not affected by the change.