Xbox Series X / S – So you can disable crossplay in the console menu

You only want to gamble with Xbox players? We’ll show you how it works.

More and more games like Back 4 Blood or Halo: Infinite rely on crossplay, i.e. the possibility that all console and PC players can play together. It doesn’t matter which version your friends have. In addition, this feature allows you to find players for your own game even faster.

But if you don’t want to use the crossplay function for various reasons, the Xbox Series X / S has the option of deactivating it.

How to deactivate your crossplay over the Xbox Series X / S

To turn off the crossplay for the multiplayer of Xbox games, you proceed as follows:

• If you are in the Xbox dashboard, press the Xbox button on your controller.
• Go to the “Settings” menu and select the “Account” menu item.
• Select the option “Data protection and online security” and go to the point “Xbox Live data protection”.
• Under “Details” under “Communication and Multiplayer” you can deactivate the feature with “You can play with people outside of Xbox Live”.

If you have followed all the steps, you should only meet Xbox players in the lobbies. This also applies to games like Battlefield 2042, which currently does not allow the deactivation of crossplay in the game menu. If you turn this feature off in the Xbox menu, it will apply to all games you play on the Xbox Series X / S console.

Crossplay has advantages and disadvantages

What are the advantages of crossplay? Because you are thrown together with PC and other console players, your waiting times in lobbies are reduced. You can also play with loved ones who have the same game on other platforms such as PC and PS4 / PS5.

What are the disadvantages of crossplay? If you play together with PC players, those with a mouse and keyboard usually have an advantage over those who play with controllers or touch input, especially with shooters. The input with mouse and keyboard is more precise and faster.

If you want to compensate for the disadvantages of the controller control, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller could help with its adaptability. You can find our test for the controller here:

Please note, however, that you have to switch the function on again via the Xbox menu if you want to play with the crossplay function in certain games. But deactivating it via the Xbox menu is currently the only option if the development teams do not offer a way to switch off crossplay in the actual game.

What do you think: In which games does the crossplay function interfere?