Is Valheim Cross Platform? Crossplay, Platforms and Save Sync

Direct answer

Yes. Valheim 1.0 supports full crossplay across Windows, Linux, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. A host can share the server join code and other players add it from Join Game. Crossplay is not the same as universal cross-save: Iron Gate only confirms shared saves between Xbox and the Microsoft Store PC version; other platform combinations do not sync save files.

Evidence boundary: The all-platform crossplay statement is current official 1.0 information. Store ownership, online-service requirements and platform subscriptions remain controlled by each storefront.

Do this first

1. 01
   Make sure every player has updated to the same live Valheim version.
2. 02
   Enable crossplay when creating the hosted or dedicated server.
3. 03
   Open the pause menu on the host and copy the join code.
4. 04
   On the other device, open Join Game, choose Add server and paste the code.
5. 05
   Move save files only through a platform path Iron Gate explicitly supports; do not assume crossplay includes cloud-save transfer.

Platforms included in Valheim 1.0 crossplay

Iron Gate's release-date announcement confirms PC, Linux, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, followed by an explicit promise of full crossplay between all platforms.

The 1.0 FAQ breaks the PC side down further: Steam covers Windows, Linux and Mac; the Mac App Store sells the Mac version; Humble sells Windows, Linux and Mac; and Microsoft Store sells Windows. Crossplay connects players, but a purchase on one storefront does not automatically grant ownership on another.

• Windows PC
• Linux
• Mac
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
• PlayStation 5
• Nintendo Switch 2

How the join-code route works

The official Crossplay FAQ says a hosted game or dedicated server exposes a join code in the pause menu. The host copies that code; the other player opens Join Game, selects Add server and pastes it.

If crossplay is missing from the server options, confirm the game version first. On Xbox, parental-control settings can also prevent the option from appearing. An Xbox cannot host the dedicated-server program locally, but it can join a dedicated server when crossplay is enabled.

Crossplay does not mean universal cross-save

Iron Gate confirms one cross-platform save path: an Xbox save can be accessed from a PC when Valheim is launched through the Microsoft Store. Beyond that pairing, the studio says there is no cross-platform synchronization for saves.

Plan a platform change as a separate ownership and save decision. A friend can join your world from another platform without gaining a copy of your character or world data.

Dedicated server boundary

A persistent dedicated server can bridge the supported platforms, but the server owner still needs to enable crossplay. Iron Gate documents the Windows dedicated-server application and recommends reading the manual installed beside it.

Console players can join compatible servers; they do not receive an official console-hosted dedicated-server application. This page does not turn a private hosting provider's setup into an Iron Gate guarantee.

Official sources