Crossplay Setup Guide
7 Days to Die officially supports crossplay between PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S as of Version 1.2 (December 2024). This guide covers everything you need to play with friends across platforms.
Crossplay Requirements
Supported Platforms
| Platform | Crossplay Support | Notes |
|---|
| PC (Steam) | Yes | Full support with EAC enabled |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes | Server browser only |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes | Server browser only |
| PlayStation 4 | No | Legacy version, no updates |
| Xbox One | No | Legacy version, no updates |
Version Requirements
- All players must be on the same game version
- Server must match client version exactly
- Console updates may lag behind PC by a few days
Server Requirements for Crossplay
| Setting | Required Value |
|---|
| Crossplay Enabled | On |
| EAC Protected (PC) | On |
| Max Players | 8 or fewer |
| World Size | 8192 or smaller |
| Mods | None (vanilla only) |
| Server Visibility | Public (not Friends) |
Enabling Crossplay
For Players (All Platforms)
- Launch 7 Days to Die
- Go to Options > General
- Set Crossplay Enabled: On
- Restart the game
For Server Hosts (PC)
Edit your serverconfig.xml:
<property name="CrossplayEnabled" value="true"/>
<property name="EACEnabled" value="true"/>
<property name="ServerMaxPlayerCount" value="8"/>
<property name="ServerVisibility" value="2"/>
For Dedicated Server Providers
- Ensure server is running vanilla (no mods)
- Enable crossplay in control panel or config
- Set world size to 8192 or smaller
- Enable EAC protection
- Set visibility to Public
Joining Crossplay Servers
PC Players
- Launch game with EAC enabled (default launcher option)
- Click Join a Game
- Filter by Crossplay: Yes
- Select server and connect
Console Players (PS5/Xbox)
- From main menu, select Join a Game
- Use server browser to find crossplay servers
- Look for servers with crossplay icon
- Select and join
Note: Console players cannot connect via direct IP - server browser only.
Crossplay Limitations
What Doesn't Work
- Mods: Any mod disables crossplay entirely
- Direct IP: Console players must use server browser
- Friends-only servers: Must be set to Public
- Large worlds: Maps over 8192 block crossplay
- High player counts: Max 8 players for crossplay
- Cross-progression: Save data doesn't transfer between platforms
Known Issues
- Voice chat may not work cross-platform
- Console players may have longer load times
- Some UI differences between platforms
- Japanese PS5 version has separate matchmaking (being fixed)
Troubleshooting
"Non-Standard Game Settings Detected"
Cause: Server has settings outside crossplay-approved ranges.
Solution:
- Choose a different server
- Ask admin to revert to vanilla settings
- Check max players (must be 8 or less)
- Check world size (must be 8192 or less)
"EAC Authentication Failed"
Cause: EAC mismatch between client and server.
Solution:
- PC: Launch with EAC enabled (not "EAC Off" option)
- Server: Ensure EACEnabled is true
- Verify game files via Steam
- Reinstall EAC if needed
"Version Mismatch"
Cause: Different game versions between client and server.
Solution:
- Update your game to latest version
- Console: Check for system updates
- Wait for console version to catch up to PC (if applicable)
"Server Not Appearing in Browser"
Cause: Server configuration issue.
Checklist:
- Server Visibility set to 2 (Public)
- Crossplay enabled on both ends
- No mods installed on server
- EAC enabled
- Ports forwarded correctly (26900-26903)
"Cannot Connect to Friend's Server"
Solution for console:
- Friend must host a Public server (not Friends-only)
- Use a password to keep randoms out
- Search for the server name in browser
- Or have friend share the server info
Playing with Friends
Option 1: Rent a Dedicated Server
Most reliable for crossplay:
- 24/7 availability
- Consistent connection
- Easy configuration
- Providers: Nitrado, G-Portal, Pingperfect, etc.
Option 2: PC Host with Port Forwarding
- PC player hosts the server
- Forward ports 26900-26903 TCP/UDP
- Enable crossplay in settings
- Set to Public with password
- Share server name with console friends
Option 3: Official Servers
- Join existing crossplay-enabled public servers
- Filter server browser by crossplay
- No setup required
Performance Considerations
Platform Differences
| Aspect | PC | Console |
|---|
| Max View Distance | 12 chunks | 10 chunks |
| Load Times | Varies by hardware | Generally longer |
| Frame Rate | Uncapped | 60 FPS target |
| Graphics Options | Full customization | Preset options |
Tips for Smooth Crossplay
- Choose servers geographically close to all players
- Avoid peak hours if experiencing lag
- Keep base complexity reasonable
- Limit simultaneous zombie spawns in settings
FAQ
Can PC and PS5 play together?
Yes, with crossplay enabled and EAC on.
Can I use mods with crossplay?
No. Any mod on the server disables crossplay.
Why can't my PS5 friend see the server?
Server must be Public (not Friends-only), crossplay enabled, EAC on, and vanilla (no mods).
Can I transfer my character to another platform?
No. Save data is platform-specific.
Is PS4/Xbox One supported?
No. Only PS5 and Xbox Series X|S support crossplay.
Can I play split-screen crossplay?
Console split-screen works, but both local players connect as one to crossplay servers.