If you’ve been deep in the Valorant grind for years on PC, or you’re just picking it up on your console and wondering “is Valorant crossplay?” — you’re not alone.
It’s probably one of the most asked questions right now since Riot finally brought the tactical shooter to consoles. Everyone’s trying to figure out: can you queue up with your friend on PS5 if you’re on PC? Or are you still locked to your own platform?
Let’s unpack it.
The Short Answer: Is Valorant Crossplay… Complicated?
So, is Valorant crossplay fully available? Well, not exactly. Valorant does have some crossplay—but not in the way players expected. Riot has officially confirmed that PC and console players can’t play together, at least not for now.
So yes, no PC-to-console lobbies. But there is crossplay within console platforms. Meaning PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players can match up together, which still counts as limited crossplay for console fans wondering is Valorant crossplay worth waiting for.
That’s where the confusion starts.
Why Riot Games Separated PC and Console Players
To understand why, you have to look at what makes Valorant… well, Valorant. Precision. Aim duels. Headshots decided by milliseconds.
Riot knows that mouse and keyboard aim would absolutely dominate over console aim assist—or vice versa, depending on tuning. Mixing both player bases could break balance, fairness, and even ranked integrity. For more insight into how Riot manages balance and updates across live-service games, check out this detailed piece on patch day rituals and the live service treadmill.
The company actually tested crossplay internally but decided against full PC–console matchmaking for competitive stability.
So when you ask, “Why Valorant has no crossplay PC to console?” — that’s the reason: competitive integrity.
Valorant Crossplay Between PC and Console
Right now, there’s a hard wall.
- PC: plays with PC only
- Console: PS5 + Xbox Series X/S can play together
No mobile version exists yet (and probably won’t anytime soon).
| Platform | Can Play Together? | Notes |
| PC + PC | Yes | Fully cross-region |
| PS5 + Xbox Series X/S | Yes | Full crossplay between consoles |
| PC + Console | No | Not supported yet |
| Console + Console (same brand) | Yes | Naturally supported |
| Cross-region console play | Yes | Supported in major regions |
Valorant Console Crossplay Explained
When Riot rolled out the console beta, they immediately emphasized that crossplay would exist only within consoles. That means PS5 and Xbox users can squad up, queue, and compete against each other seamlessly.
They share the same matchmaking pools, ranked structure, and events. But the PC crowd? Totally separate.
Just like with other competitive shooters, toxic gaming behavior in MOBAs and FPS games can also appear in Valorant’s console community — making it even more important for Riot to maintain fair matchmaking and strong moderation tools.
If you’re wondering why Valorant console matchmaking feels a bit different, that’s why. The console version has its own balancing, sometimes different UI tweaks, and slightly varied recoil tuning to fit controller play.
Can PS5 Players Play with Xbox in Valorant?
Yes.
That’s the part everyone agrees on — Valorant crossplay between Xbox and PS5 is live.
You don’t need to enable it manually; it’s automatically part of the matchmaking system.
All you need is your Riot account linked to your console profile. Once linked, your progress and skins stay tied to that Riot ID (more on that below).
So yes, PS5 and Xbox players can squad up, no restrictions.
Valorant Cross-Platform Progress / Cross-Progression
Now, this part is where Riot actually nailed it.
Valorant does support cross-progression across platforms — meaning your skins, agents, unlocks, and purchases all stay connected to your Riot account, not your device.
You can log into the same Riot account on console or PC (even though gameplay lobbies are separate) and still have your stuff synced.
That’s a big deal. A lot of games mess that up.
| Feature | Cross-Progression Status |
| Skins & Cosmetics | Shared |
| Agent Contracts | Shared |
| Battle Pass Progress | Shared |
| Competitive Rank | Separate |
| Settings / Sensitivity | Device-dependent |
So yes, your progression is unified, but your matchmaking isn’t.
Valorant Crossplay Settings
If you’re wondering where to toggle crossplay, there’s not much to configure on PC (since it’s PC-only).
On console, however, you’ll see a Crossplay option in your settings.
You can turn off crossplay if you only want to match with players on your same console type (for example, PS5-only matches), though it’ll increase queue times a bit.
That’s about as customizable as it gets right now.
Valorant Crossplay vs Cross-Progression Difference
This one confuses a lot of players. Let’s simplify it:
- Crossplay = playing with people on other platforms
- Cross-progression = keeping your account data across platforms
Valorant has cross-progression, but limited crossplay (console-only).
Valorant PC Console Matchmaking: Separate by Design
Riot’s clear on this: PC and console matchmaking are separate ecosystems.
They’ve even mentioned that the input gap and balance differences would ruin the core tactical loop that Valorant thrives on.
If you think about it, this separation actually keeps both sides fair.
Console players don’t have to fight people with pinpoint flicks and perfect recoil control from a mouse.
PC players don’t have to deal with controller aim assist drama.
Everyone stays in their lane, at least for now.
Valorant Console Version Crossplay Limitations
There are a few minor quirks on console:
- You can’t use keyboard + mouse on console yet.
- Voice chat sometimes bugs out between PS5 and Xbox players.
- Regional matchmaking still adjusting queue times.
But overall, the crossplay system between consoles works.
When Will Valorant Be Crossplay (Full PC + Console)?
That’s the big question everyone keeps circling back to.
Riot hasn’t dropped an exact date, or even a real window, for when PC and console players might finally share the same lobbies. What they have said, though, is that they’re looking into it — just not rushing.
The main concern is balance. Mixing controller aim assist with mouse accuracy is a headache waiting to happen. So instead of forcing it, Riot’s taking their time to figure out what a fair setup could look like.
There’s been some quiet talk — leaks, interviews, maybe just hopeful guessing — about “opt-in” crossplay modes. Basically, a way to invite your friends across platforms for custom games or non-ranked lobbies, without breaking competitive fairness.
That sounds like a smart compromise, honestly.
But for now, ranked and normal matchmaking will stay split. Two separate worlds, at least until Riot finds a way to make them meet in the middle.
Does Valorant Support Cross-Platform Play in 2025?
Yes, partially.
As of 2025, Valorant supports cross-platform play between PS5 and Xbox, but not PC.
That’s the official status.
It’s similar to how games like Destiny 2 and Apex Legends started with limited crossplay before expanding fully.
Riot might go that route eventually — gradual rollout.
Can You Play Valorant With Friends on Different Platforms?
Depends.
If both of you are on console, yes — go ahead.
If one of you is on PC, not yet.
Still, you can both share your Riot accounts, progression, and even chat through Riot’s client or Discord while waiting for true crossplay someday.
Valorant Crossplay Supported Platforms (Summary)
| Platform | Crossplay | Cross-Progression | Matchmaking Shared? |
| PC | No | Yes | Separate |
| PS5 | Yes (Xbox only) | Yes | Shared with Xbox |
| Xbox Series X/S | Yes (PS5 only) | Yes | Shared with PS5 |
Why Valorant Still Works Without Full Crossplay
Here’s the thing — Valorant never needed full crossplay to stay relevant.
What keeps it alive is precision, teamwork, and competitive grind.
Adding crossplay too soon could mess that balance up.
So Riot’s approach feels cautious but smart. They’re focusing on keeping both ecosystems healthy before merging them.
If they ever enable PC-console crossplay, expect it to come with heavy tuning: aim assist caps, ranked separation, or input-based matchmaking.
Until then, console players can enjoy the same high-quality tactical experience — just in their own bracket.
FAQs (Based on Google’s “People Also Ask”)
1. Is Valorant crossplay between PC and console?
Not yet. PC and console versions have separate matchmaking, though consoles can crossplay with each other.
2. Can PS5 players play with Xbox in Valorant?
Yes. Crossplay between PS5 and Xbox Series X/S is fully supported.
3. Does Valorant have cross-progression?
Yes. Your skins, agents, and battle pass progress carry over across platforms via your Riot account.
4. Will Valorant ever get full crossplay?
Possibly. Riot has said they’re exploring ways to make PC-console crossplay fair, but no timeline yet.
5. Why did Riot separate PC and console Valorant?
To maintain balance. Mouse/keyboard and controller aim mechanics would cause unfair advantages in ranked matches.
That’s about it. Valorant might not be fully crossplay yet, but it’s closer than it’s ever been.
If Riot figures out how to balance both ecosystems, maybe we’ll see full PC-console lobbies down the line.
Until then, queue up with your console squad, and keep grinding.
James Carter: Your competitive edge. I cover Patch Notes, Speedruns, Battle Royale Strategy, Multiplayer Trends, and Game Dev Insights. Let’s get into it!
