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To play Fortnite with friends on different platforms, add each other as Epic friends, make sure cross-play is enabled where required, then join the same party from the lobby. Epic Games Support says players can play with friends on any platform, though the available settings and menus vary by platform.
1. Add your friend through Epic
- Open Fortnite and go to the profile or social menu.
- Select Add Friends, enter your friend’s Epic display name, and send a request.
- Ask your friend to accept it. They should then appear in your friends list.
Fortnite cross-platform friend play uses Epic’s friend system, rather than relying only on a console-specific friends list. Epic’s instructions are in How to add friends in Fortnite.
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2. Check cross-play settings
Epic says players outside PC or Mac need cross-play enabled to play with friends on other platforms. The setting’s location depends on the platform.
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- PlayStation: In Fortnite, go to Settings > Account and Privacy > Gameplay Privacy > Allow Cross Platform Play.
- Xbox: Review Xbox cross-network multiplayer settings, as described in Epic’s cross-play instructions.
- Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile: Epic says the cross-play toggle cannot currently be disabled on these platforms.
Check the setting on each relevant account; having cross-play enabled on one player’s device does not resolve a setting mismatch elsewhere in the party.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
3. Join the same party
From the Fortnite lobby, use the current in-game friends or social controls to invite your friend or join their party. A party is the shared lobby where its members gather before playing. Epic’s Epic Parties FAQ explains party behavior; exact button names and controls can differ between platform interfaces.
4. Set party privacy and chat
Party joinability and communication are separate controls. Joinability determines whether friends can join directly or need an invitation. Voice and text chat depend on Fortnite communication preferences, account restrictions, parental controls, and the platform’s own settings.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Use Fortnite’s social or profile controls to review these options. If chat is unavailable, check the account’s age-related communication restrictions and parental controls as well as the console or device settings. Epic’s guide to party, voice chat, and text chat options covers these controls.
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Fix common problems
Error code 9 when joining or adding a friend
Epic says “Denial reason code 9” can occur when party members are on different platforms and at least one has cross-play turned off. Have everyone check the relevant cross-play setting, then try joining again. See Epic’s error code 9 support page.
Rank #3
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Your Epic friends are missing on a new console
Epic friends are associated with the Epic account. If your list does not appear after switching consoles, confirm that the console account is linked to the Epic account you intend to use. Epic’s guidance on accessing your Epic friends list on a new console account explains the account-linking issue.
Friends join when you expected an invite-only party
Another member of the current party can change its joinability. Check the party’s setting in Fortnite; it may have been changed to Joinable. Epic describes this in its Party Joinability support article.
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
You are in the party but voice or text chat does not work
Check Fortnite’s communication preferences, any age-related account restrictions, parental controls, and the platform’s own communication settings. Party membership alone does not guarantee that voice or text chat is permitted.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
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