How to Play Fortnite with Friends Across Every Platform
To play Fortnite with friends, add them through their Epic username, invite them to your party from the lobby, then pick a squad mode and start a match together. Here is how to play fortnite with friends, step by step, including crossplay between console, PC, and mobile so it does not matter what device anyone owns.
Fortnite is built around squads, and grouping up is quick once everyone is on the same friends list. The key detail most people miss is that friendships run through your Epic account, not the console, which is what makes cross-platform play possible. Get everyone added and the rest is easy.
Add Friends by Epic Username
Before you can party up, each person needs to be on your Epic Games friends list. This list works across every platform, so you add a friend once and can play with them anywhere.
Add a friend like this:
- Open the friends menu from the main lobby screen.
- Search their Epic username exactly as they spell it.
- Send the friend request and wait for them to accept.
Ask your friend for their Epic display name rather than their console gamertag, since the search uses the Epic account. Console friends may also appear automatically, but the Epic username method works no matter what devices you both use.
Note: Your Epic username is different from your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo name. Check your account settings for the exact Epic display name and share that with friends so the search finds you.
Form a Party in the Lobby
Once friends are added, you invite them into a party from the pre-game lobby. The party is your group that queues into matches together, and the leader controls which mode you play.
- Go to the lobby where your character stands before a match.
- Open the friends or party panel on the side of the screen.
- Select an online friend and choose Invite.
- Wait for them to accept and appear in your party slots.
- Repeat until your squad is full, up to the mode’s limit.
The party leader picks the game mode and starts the queue, so decide who leads before you begin. Everyone in the party drops into the same match on the same team automatically.
Tip: If a friend cannot see your invite, have them restart the game and confirm they are online in the friends panel. A stale online status is the most common reason invites seem to vanish.
Turn On Crossplay for Mixed Devices
Crossplay lets friends on different systems play together, so a console player and a PC player can squad up with no extra hardware. It is usually on by default, but it is worth checking if a friend cannot join.
| Setting | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Crossplay toggle | Whether you match with other platforms |
| Input-based matchmaking | Groups players by controller or keyboard |
| Party privacy | Who can join or invite you |
Open the game settings and confirm crossplay is enabled if a friend on another device is missing from your options. When a party mixes controller and keyboard players, Fortnite usually matches the whole squad based on the party leader’s input, so pick a leader thoughtfully in competitive modes. For casual play this rarely matters, and mixed squads work fine.
Choose a Mode and Play Together
With the party formed and crossplay on, the last step is picking how you want to play. Fortnite offers several ways for friends to team up depending on the group size and mood.
Duos and squads drop your whole party onto one team in Battle Royale, which is the classic way to play with friends. For larger or more relaxed sessions, try team-based limited-time modes or creator maps, many of which support bigger groups than a standard squad. Playing custom creator maps is a good option when you have an odd number of friends who do not fit neatly into a four-player squad.
Communicate with voice or ping so the squad coordinates during a match. Use the ping system to mark enemies, loot, and destinations without a microphone, which keeps everyone on the same page. Revive downed teammates, share weapons and materials, and stick together, since a squad that plays as a team wins far more than one that scatters. Once everyone is added and partied up, jumping into a game together takes only a few clicks each session.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a friend on a different console? Search their Epic username in the friends menu, not their console gamertag. Epic friendships work across all platforms, so once they accept, you can party up regardless of device.
Why can’t my friend join my party? Common causes are a stale online status, crossplay turned off, or restrictive party privacy. Have them restart the game, confirm crossplay is on, and check that your party is open to invites.
Can console and PC players play Fortnite together? Yes. Crossplay is supported and usually on by default, so console, PC, and mobile friends can squad up. Just confirm the crossplay setting is enabled if someone is missing.
How many friends can be in one squad? Standard Battle Royale squads hold up to four players. Some limited-time modes and creator maps support larger teams, so try those when you have a bigger group.
Do we all need to buy anything to play together? No. Fortnite is free to play, so friends only need the game installed and an Epic account. Cosmetics and the Battle Pass are optional and do not affect playing together.
