Valheim Crossplay Guide: PC, Xbox, and Game Pass

Crossplay on Dedicated Servers

Valheim supports full cross-platform multiplayer between Steam (PC/Linux/macOS), Microsoft Store / PC Game Pass, and Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S). On DustBowl Warden, enabling crossplay requires toggling a single startup flag.

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How Crossplay Works: Steamworks vs PlayFab

• Vanilla Steam Servers (Crossplay Disabled): Connections use Valve's Steamworks networking stack. Connections route directly over UDP (ports 2456-2457), offering the lowest latency and highest stability. Only Steam players can connect.
• Crossplay Enabled (-crossplay): The server initializes Microsoft's PlayFab multiplayer backend. The server generates a dynamic 6-digit Join Code and routes player traffic through PlayFab relay servers, allowing Xbox and Microsoft Store players to join seamlessly.

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Enabling Crossplay in DustBowl Warden

1. Open your server on DustBowl Warden.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Locate the Crossplay parameter and ensure it is set to enabled (adds -crossplay to startup flags).
4. In the Console tab, restart your server.
5. In the console startup log, look for the PlayFab initialization lines:

   PlayFab server ID: ...
   Session "... " registered with join code 123456
   

6. Share this 6-character Join Code with your console players.

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How Players Join a Crossplay Server

Xbox Players

1. Launch Valheim on Xbox.
2. Select Start Game and choose a character.
3. In the Join Game tab, click Join IP or enter the Join Code.
4. Enter the 6-digit Join Code provided by the server administrator.
5. Enter the server password when prompted.

PC / Steam Players

Steam players can join crossplay servers using either the Join Code, Direct IP (IP:2456), or the in-game community list.

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Critical Modding Limitations with Crossplay

Console Compatibility Notice: Xbox consoles cannot install BepInEx or third-party client mods.

If your server runs mods that introduce custom assets, new items, or altered client gameplay mechanics, Xbox players will either fail to connect or crash upon joining.

If you want crossplay enabled, you must keep your server vanilla or restrict mods to purely server-side administrative utilities (such as automated backup tools or Discord broadcast bots).

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Managing Console Admins and Whitelists

Xbox players do not possess a 17-digit SteamID64. When a console player joins, find their Platform ID in the DustBowl Warden Console log:

Got handshake from client PlayFab_123456789ABCDEF

Add this identifier to adminlist.txt or permittedlist.txt to grant administrator or whitelist permissions.

Explore our interactive Valheim Crossplay Explainer and generate admin permission files with the Valheim Admin & Whitelist Generator.