With millions of players exploring Tamriel across platforms, the question keeps popping up: Is Elder Scrolls Online cross platform?
If you’re planning to team up with friends on another console or PC, it’s essential to know how crossplay works in ESO—and what your options are in 2025.
Let’s break it all down, from server limitations to the possibilities for the future.
Is The Elder Scrolls Online Cross Platform?
The short answer: No, Elder Scrolls Online is not cross platform.
Despite being available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, players are restricted to their specific platform ecosystems.
Platform-Specific Servers:
- PC/Mac players share servers exclusively
- Xbox players (One + Series X|S) are on a separate megaserver
- PlayStation players (PS4 + PS5) have their own dedicated server
There is no crossplay between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. This means friends on different platforms cannot form groups, trade items, or interact in-game.
Why Isn’t ESO Cross Platform Yet?
ESO was originally launched in 2014 when crossplay infrastructure was uncommon. The game’s architecture uses isolated megaservers, which makes unifying playerbases technically difficult.
Also, licensing and network policies across Sony, Microsoft, and Zenimax add more barriers.
While some modern MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV and Destiny 2 have integrated cross-platform features, ESO’s legacy engine and data structure have made that evolution slower.
Can You Transfer Your ESO Account Across Platforms?
No, Elder Scrolls Online accounts are locked to their original platform.
If you play on PC and switch to Xbox, your characters, inventory, achievements, and progress will not carry over.
Each version of the game maintains a completely separate profile, even though you use the same login credentials.
Elder Scrolls Online Crossplay Between PS4 and PS5?
Yes! ESO fully supports cross-generation play:
- PS4 and PS5 players can play together seamlessly.
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S share the same server environment.
You’ll retain all progress, cosmetics, and achievements when upgrading within the same console family. There’s also backward compatibility and optimization patches for next-gen.
Is Elder Scrolls Online Cross Platform Xbox and PC?
Still no in 2025. Despite Microsoft owning Bethesda and Zenimax, there is no crossplay between Xbox and PC.
Even though both versions run through the Xbox ecosystem (via Game Pass), they operate independently in the backend with distinct megaservers and account silos.
Players are hoping for integration in the future, especially considering Microsoft’s push for unified gaming services.
ESO and Cross Progression: What You Should Know
Cross-progression is also not supported. This means:
- If you start on PlayStation and move to PC, you’ll have to start over
- Crown purchases, ESO Plus, and DLC must be re-bought per platform
Some community tools let you manually port interface settings, but no official progression sharing exists.
What About Elder Scrolls Online on Stadia?
Google Stadia once supported ESO, and that version connected players with the PC/Mac megaserver. However, since Stadia shut down, this option is no longer available.
Will Elder Scrolls Online Ever Be Cross Platform?
As of now, Zenimax has made no official announcement regarding crossplay or cross-progression.
However, pressure from players—and the evolution of live service game expectations—may drive changes down the line. Features like:
- Optional cross-server instancing
- Unified login rewards
- Shared crown balance
…have been requested by the community, but are technically complex.
ESO developers have previously stated that platform parity is a top concern, especially with the upcoming Elder Scrolls VI bringing more visibility to the franchise.
How to Improve Your ESO Experience Without Crossplay
Even though you can’t crossplay, you can still optimize your gameplay across all platforms. One of the best ways to do that is by using ExitLag.
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Why Use ExitLag for Elder Scrolls Online?
- Stabilizes ping for smoother performance
- Reduces lag spikes during Cyrodiil battles and trials
- Optimizes routing across North American, European, and Oceanic datacenters
It’s especially useful on PC but also benefits cloud streaming setups.
Is Elder Scrolls Online Cross Platform Yet?
Quick recap: No, not yet.
Still, thousands of players have adapted their experience with cross-platform-friendly practices, like:
- Creating duplicate characters on different platforms
- Running multi-server guilds via Discord
- Syncing builds and loadouts with tools like ESO-Hub
- Streaming multi-platform events on Twitch or YouTube
These workarounds keep communities active and flexible.
Community Workarounds to Crossplay Limitations
1. Cross-Platform Guild Communities
Even if characters are bound to servers, your community doesn’t have to be.
Many successful guilds use:
- Shared Discord servers to organize multi-platform teams
- Google Sheets or Notion to track events, builds, and crafting orders
- Simultaneous trials and PvP events streamed from different platforms
This setup enables a “connected-but-not-colliding” experience.
2. Playing on Multiple Platforms
Some players create parallel accounts to stay in touch across systems.
Benefits:
- Test new class builds without disrupting your main
- Join console-exclusive friends without giving up PC play
- Adapt your playstyle to different controller/keyboard setups
Drawbacks:
- Must repurchase DLC and ESO Plus subscriptions
- No shared inventory or achievements
3. PC Add-ons and Cross-PC Syncing
While console players don’t have access to mods, PC users can amplify gameplay with:
- Combat Metrics: Real-time DPS tracking
- Map Pins: Custom map overlays
- pChat: Enhanced chat window and history
- WritWorthy: Crafting helper for master writs
Plus, syncing profiles via OneDrive or Google Drive lets you keep your UI consistent across machines.
Console-Specific Optimization Tips
Even without add-ons, console users can optimize gameplay by:
- Installing ESO on SSDs for faster zone loading
- Adjusting HUD opacity for cleaner visibility
- Toggling performance mode on next-gen consoles for smoother framerates
While these won’t enable crossplay, they keep you competitive within your server.
ExitLag: Stability for Every Platform
If you’re hopping between platforms or traveling internationally, ExitLag remains a must-have. It supports:
- Optimized routing to all ESO megaservers
- Multi-path connections to reduce packet loss
- Platform-specific latency improvements, especially for PC players
Pros and Cons of a Platform-Locked ESO
| Pros | Cons |
| Shorter queue times per server | No cross-guild interactions |
| Easier balance testing per platform | Re-buying DLC per account |
| More stable backend architecture | Cannot play with all your friends |
The Crossplay Wishlist from ESO Fans
Players continue requesting:
- Cross-server group finder for dungeons and trials
- Shared crown balance across accounts
- Guild-wide bulletin boards for cross-platform news
- Megaserver guesting like in Guild Wars 2
- One-time DLC unlocks across systems
These ideas circulate often in ESO Live Q&A sessions and community wishlists.
Could Crossplay Arrive With Elder Scrolls VI?
Many speculate that ESO’s future cross-platform features might debut alongside the next Elder Scrolls chapter. Potential changes include:
- An upgraded engine with unified account storage
- New login infrastructure similar to Xbox Play Anywhere
- A revamped account linking system through the Zenimax launcher
Zenimax hasn’t confirmed anything, but growing industry pressure suggests we might see experimental rollouts post-2025.
Additional ESO Networking Tools
To manage multi-platform activity more efficiently, players rely on:
- Tamriel Trade Centre: Cross-platform price tracking
- UESP.net Build Editor: Theorycraft builds with friends
- Twitch + Discord streaming: Watch parties and live guild coaching
These tools won’t merge servers, but they bridge gaps in communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I friend someone on Xbox if I’m on PC?
No. Friends lists are locked to platform servers.
Is ESO on GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming crossplay-enabled?
No. Cloud versions still follow their platform’s server rules.
Can I buy crowns on PS5 and use them on PC?
No. Crowns are not transferable.
Are there mods to force crossplay in ESO?
No. Server-side code can’t be modified externally.
Will future ESO expansions support unified login?
Possibly, but nothing is confirmed.
Final Thoughts
Elder Scrolls Online cross platform features may not be live yet, but the ESO community thrives through creativity, dedication, and smart tools.
If you’re looking to keep friends close across platform borders, try building a cross-server guild hub and stay connected through universal tools like Discord, ExitLag, and ESO-Hub.
Until official crossplay becomes a reality, you can still enjoy Tamriel without compromise—with a little help from the right strategy.
All game images used in this blog belong to ZeniMax Online Studios. They are used for informational/educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.
