Sea of Thieves is all about that constant gamble on the open water. You’ve got a ship, a crew, and zero promise you’ll actually make it back to an Outpost with your loot. That tension only works if the ocean feels alive, and crossplay is the reason the servers stay packed. Every platform feeds into the same world, so your PC buddy, your console friend, and the new guy on PlayStation can all pile onto the same sloop without a headache.
Here’s the breakdown of how it works and what you need to know to get your crew together.
Supported Platforms: Where Can You Play?
This pirate sandbox is on more hardware than you’d think:
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One – Available via the store or through Game Pass.
- Windows 10/11 (Microsoft Store) – This falls under Xbox Play Anywhere. If you bought it here, you own it on console too.
- Steam (PC) – A separate purchase, and you’ll still need to sign into a Microsoft account every time you play.
- PlayStation 5 – Launched April 30, 2024. You must link a Microsoft account to even get past the title screen.
Just a heads-up: there is no PS4 version and no PSVR2 support. If your friends are asking if their old last-gen PlayStation will work, the answer is a hard no. It’s PS5 or nothing.
Also, while Game Pass covers Xbox and the Windows Store, PlayStation players have to buy the game standalone. Updates drop for everyone at the exact same time, so nobody is ever stuck waiting for a patch while the rest of the crew plays.
How Crossplay Actually Works
Crossplay is on by default. You don’t have to hunt through menus to turn it on; the second you set sail, you’re already in a world filled with players from Xbox, Steam, and PS5.
Whether you’re grinding Tall Tales or getting into a scrap over a Skeleton Fort, everyone is in the same pool. The glue holding this all together is the Xbox gamertag. Even if you’re on Steam or PS5, you’re using a Microsoft account to handle invites.
- Xbox/Windows: Your gamertag is already there.
- Steam: You’ll link a Microsoft account on your first launch.
- PS5: You’ll do a one-time link between your PSN and a Microsoft account.
From what we’ve seen lately, the player count is healthy. You won’t be sailing through ghost towns; the combined player base keeps the seas feeling crowded. Both Safer Seas (the private PvE mode) and High Seas (the full PvP experience) use this cross-platform tech, though Safer Seas is still an online mode even if you’re playing solo.
Setting Up Your Crew
The process is simple, but don’t rush the account linking – especially on PS5.
- Fire up the game on your platform of choice.
- Sign into your Microsoft account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to make one.
- PS5 Players: Link your PSN to that Microsoft account. Be careful here: Rare’s support can’t un-link these easily if you mess up. Make sure it’s the right account before you hit confirm.
- Check your Pirate: If you’ve played before, your gold, cosmetics, and ranks should pop up immediately.
- Add Friends: Use their Xbox gamertag. This is the only way to find people across different platforms.
- Invite: Use the in-game Friends tab or go to Game Options > My Crew > Invite Friends.
Cross-Save: Does Your Progress Carry Over?
Yes. Everything you do is tied to your Microsoft account, not the hardware. You can hop from your PC at night to your Xbox in the morning and your pirate will be exactly how you left them.
What stays with you:
- All Trading Company ranks and Tall Tale progress.
- Your gold, Doubloons, and Ancient Coins.
- Everything you bought in the Pirate Emporium.
- Your full inventory of cosmetics.
The catch:
Platform-exclusive items stay put. If you have the “Duke” ship set from Xbox or the “Ruby Viper” set from a PS5 preorder, those won’t show up when you switch platforms. Also, there’s no “cross-buy” – owning it on Steam doesn’t mean you get it for free on PS5.
Matchmaking and Controller Filters
Let’s be real: mouse-and-keyboard players usually have an edge in a shootout. If you’re on a console and don’t want to deal with PC aim, you have options.
| Platform | Turn Off Crossplay? | Controller-Only Lobbies? |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox | No | Yes (in Settings) |
| Windows Store | No | Yes (in Settings) |
| Steam | No | No |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes | Yes |
PS5 players actually have the most freedom here, as they’re the only ones who can opt out of crossplay entirely. One big warning: If you turn on “controller-only” filters, you won’t be able to join a crew with your PC friends. If your lobby won’t form, check everyone’s matchmaking settings first.
Subscriptions: The Hidden Costs
Playing online isn’t free for everyone:
- Xbox: You need Game Pass Core (the old Xbox Live Gold) or Ultimate.
- PlayStation 5: You need PlayStation Plus for the full High Seas experience. You can play Safer Seas without it, but it’s a very lonely, limited version of the game.
- PC (Steam/Microsoft Store): No subscription required. You just buy the game and play.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If things aren’t working, it’s usually one of these:
- Empty Pirate on PS5? You likely linked the wrong Microsoft account. Double-check your login.
- Can’t find a friend? Make sure you’re searching for their Xbox gamertag, not their Steam or PSN name.
- Invites failing? Check if someone in the crew has “Controller-Only” matchmaking turned on while a PC player is trying to join.
- PS5 Voice Chat issues? There’s a known bug where in-game chat can cause stutters or crashes. Most crews just use Discord or console parties to stay safe.
Rare has made it clear that the PS5 launch was about growing the community, not splitting it up. As long as you remember that the Microsoft account is the “master key” for your pirate, sailing across platforms is actually pretty seamless. Just sync up your gamertags, check your filters, and you’re good to go.
