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Expeditions in No Man’s Sky are shared journeys, not one jointly owned checklist. You and friends can travel the same route, meet at rendezvous points and group across supported platforms, but each player records milestones on their own save. Cross-play is the system for joining other people; Hello Games Cloud cross-save moves one of your complete saved games between linked devices; expedition rewards and expedition inventory use separate in-game systems. The original Nintendo Switch has no multiplayer, while Nintendo Switch 2 supports multiplayer and cross-play (with Nintendo Switch Online required).
The practical rule is simple: get everyone into the expedition matchmaking pool, keep each player’s milestone expectations separate, and use the correct transfer method for the thing you want to move.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →What is the difference between multiplayer, cross-play and cross-save?
These terms describe different operations. Multiplayer puts players in the same session, cross-play lets supported platforms share that session, and cross-save moves your own saved game between linked platforms. None of them automatically copies a friend’s milestones into your save.
| System | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplayer | Lets players group and play in the same expedition session. | It does not merge separate player progression. |
| Cross-play | Allows supported platforms to create or join cross-platform groups and encounter one another. | It does not transfer a saved game or expedition inventory. |
| Hello Games Cloud cross-save | Stores up to five of your saves so a linked platform can download one. | It does not give a friend your save or complete their milestones. |
| Expedition terminal transfer | Moves selected equipment and loot between an expedition started from an existing save and that save’s primary game. | It is not a universal inventory-transfer tool for unrelated saves. |
| Quicksilver reward redemption | Makes major expedition reward unlocks available on other saves through the Space Anomaly. | It does not copy the entire expedition save. |
Hello Games describes the Omega overhaul as allowing expeditions to start from an existing save while retaining the new-game route: “Expeditions can now be started from an existing save, as well continuing to be accessible by starting a new game.” See the Omega update notes.
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Can my friend and I do an expedition together?
Yes, if both of you use supported multiplayer platforms and enter the expedition session rather than an ordinary game session. You share the route, rendezvous locations and activities, but milestone completion remains per player.
How to create a cross-platform group
- Open multiplayer from the game’s front end or in-game menu.
- Create or join a group. The official cross-play system supports cross-platform groups from both locations.
- If the player is not listed, open Network Options and add them as a No Man’s Sky Friend using their unique friend code.
- Have both players load the same expedition. Do not assume that joining while one person is in Normal mode will place both of you in the expedition matchmaking pool.
The original cross-play announcement explains the group and friend-code flow in detail: Hello Games’ cross-play update.
What you can see together
Cross-platform travellers may encounter one another in the Space Anomaly, in space and on planets. An ambient encounter is not the same as a party invitation: seeing another traveller does not join their group, share their mission state or award you their completed milestones.
Why a friend’s milestone does not complete mine
Expeditions give everyone a shared sequence of phases and milestones, but each save tracks its own objectives. If your friend reaches a milestone first, you still need to satisfy its requirement on your character. Coordinate by staying together, sharing directions and using rendezvous points, but check your own expedition log before moving on.
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Why can’t I join my friend’s expedition?
The most common cause is a mode mismatch. Hello Games states in the Waypoint update that “Expedition and Permadeath games will remain in their own pool for the purposes of matchmaking and base sharing.” Both players should therefore be in an active expedition session when they expect expedition matchmaking and base sharing to work.
- Confirm the expedition: each player should see the same active expedition and phase, not Normal, Survival or Permadeath.
- Check the friend entry: add the other player through Network Options with the unique No Man’s Sky Friend code if the platform friend list does not resolve them.
- Re-enter as a group: leave the ordinary session, return to the front end or multiplayer menu, form the cross-platform group, then load the expedition.
- Check platform support: the original Switch has no multiplayer. A Switch 2 can use multiplayer and cross-play, but its patch notes require an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription for multiplayer.
Cross-play support also depends on the game versions installed on the participating platforms. Install the same current update available for each platform before troubleshooting invitations.
How do I start an expedition from a new game or an existing save?
You have two legitimate entry routes, and they produce different save-management options.
Starting a separate expedition save
- Choose the expedition from the new-game or expedition entry screen while the event is available.
- Play on the expedition’s separate save slot and progress through its phases and milestones.
- When the event ends, the original expedition rules state that the separate expedition save remains available and converts to a Normal-mode save.
This route keeps the expedition independent while it is active. Event windows are time-limited; no currently running expedition or definitive October 2026 end date is established here, so check the in-game event notice or Hello Games’ announcements before planning a group session.
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Starting from an existing save with the Omega terminal
- Load the primary save you want associated with the expedition.
- Travel to the Space Anomaly and use the expedition terminal.
- Choose the expedition and configure the permitted cache of equipment and items before launch.
- During the expedition, retrieve that cache at the Space Anomaly. You can pause the expedition and return to the primary save in the same slot.
This route is the one that enables the terminal’s controlled return of selected belongings when the expedition is completed. It does not turn every independent save into a shared inventory.
How does cross-save move my expedition between devices?
Hello Games Cloud cross-save transfers one of your complete saves; it is separate from playing with another person. You must connect the platform accounts through Hello Games Cloud, and the game must be able to see that connection.
- Open the Hello Games Cloud cross-save service and connect the platform accounts you intend to use.
- Launch the game on the source platform. The most recently used save uploads automatically after launch on a connected platform.
- To choose a different local save, use the save-selection screen and select the save with the empty cloud icon so it uploads.
- On the destination platform, open Cross-Save Manager from save selection and download the chosen cloud save into local storage.
- If the game reports a file-size or timestamp conflict, choose which version to keep. Do not overwrite the newer version accidentally.
The cloud service stores a maximum of five saves. That is a storage limit, not a player-count limit. If the cross-save option is missing, revisit the account-connection page and verify the cloud toggles. Disconnecting all linked accounts deletes the server-side cloud copies but leaves the local saves on each platform untouched.
Cross-save moves the selected saved game, including its expedition state. It does not make another player’s milestone completion appear in your own save, and it does not create a shared multiplayer session by itself.
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Do expedition rewards and belongings carry over to other saves?
They can, but the method depends on whether you mean an unlocked reward, selected expedition equipment or the entire save.
| What you want to move | Correct method | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Major expedition reward already unlocked | Visit the Space Anomaly and redeem it through the Quicksilver Synthesis Companion on another save. | This grants the reward entitlement; it does not copy the expedition character or inventory. |
| Selected starting equipment and items | Before an existing-save expedition, place the allowed cache in the Omega expedition terminal; retrieve it at the Space Anomaly during the run. | Only the terminal’s supported cache is included. |
| Selected items and technology at completion | Use the Omega terminal’s return process to send chosen belongings to the primary save. | This applies to an expedition launched from that existing save. |
| Units, nanites and Quicksilver earned during that run | The Omega completion process returns these automatically to the primary save. | They are handled separately from manually selected items. |
| Discoveries and bases | The Omega notes specify sharing with the primary save. | This is tied to the associated primary-save expedition route. |
| Primary starship or Multi-Tool | During an active existing-save expedition, use the terminal’s copy option. | Copying is not the same as transferring an arbitrary full inventory. |
The Omega notes describe these terminal operations, while the original expedition guidance covers redeeming unlocked rewards through the Quicksilver Synthesis Companion. Treat “reward redemption,” “terminal return” and “cloud save download” as three separate actions.
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What changes between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2?
The console generation determines whether you can play with other people. Hello Games says the original Nintendo Switch lacks multiplayer; Switch 2 adds multiplayer and cross-play. The Switch 2 patch notes also specify Nintendo Switch Online for multiplayer.
- Original Switch: you cannot join a friend’s expedition multiplayer session, even if you are discussing the same expedition route.
- Switch 2: multiplayer and cross-play are supported, subject to the required Nintendo Switch Online access and compatible game updates.
- Cross-save is separate: moving a save between linked devices does not add multiplayer capability to a platform that lacks it.
These changes were introduced with the Beacon update, which opened cross-save to the full player base on June 4, 2025. An earlier limited beta announcement should not be treated as the current availability rule.
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Are expeditions available on every platform and on the same schedule?
Expeditions are timed events, so availability can end before a friend is ready to start. Use the event notice in the game or an official Hello Games announcement for the active window rather than relying on an old schedule.
Hello Games’ Forsaken 7.10 release adds iOS, but the published description does not independently establish iOS expedition cross-play or Hello Games Cloud cross-save support. Do not infer either capability solely from the existence of an iOS version.
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- You see a friend but cannot join: verify that both of you loaded the same expedition, not one expedition and one ordinary mode. Re-form the group from the front end.
- The milestone is complete for one player only: that is expected. Each player must meet the milestone’s requirement on their own save.
- The save is missing on another device: launch the source platform while connected, confirm the save’s cloud icon, then refresh Cross-Save Manager on the destination.
- Two versions are offered: compare timestamps and file sizes before choosing; the cloud service is asking which copy should remain.
- The cross-save menu disappeared: check the account-connection page and re-enable the cloud toggles. Disconnecting all accounts removes server copies, although local saves remain.
- A Switch player cannot join: determine whether the player is on original Switch or Switch 2. Original Switch multiplayer is not available; Switch 2 multiplayer also needs Nintendo Switch Online.
- Items did not return: confirm the expedition was launched from the existing save through the Omega terminal and that the items were among those selected for return. Independent expedition saves do not receive arbitrary inventory transfers.
What should you remember before starting with friends?
- Form the cross-platform group first, then have everyone load the expedition.
- Use rendezvous locations and shared plans, but track milestones separately on every player’s save.
- Choose a new expedition save for a self-contained run, or the Omega terminal when you want controlled equipment and progress return to a primary save.
- Use Hello Games Cloud only when the goal is to continue your own complete save on another linked device.
- Redeem major rewards through the Quicksilver Synthesis Companion instead of expecting a full save transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join an expedition after my friend has already started it?
Usually, yes, if the expedition event is still available and both players enter the same expedition matchmaking pool. Joining the group does not retroactively complete milestones on the late player’s save.
Will an expedition save keep working after the event ends?
The original expedition rules say a separate expedition save remains available and becomes a Normal-mode save after the event. The event’s tasks and rewards are still subject to the availability rules announced for that expedition.
Can I use cross-save to play the same character on two devices at once?
No. Cross-save stores a selected save for download to another linked platform; it is not simultaneous shared access. Upload the current version before switching devices so you do not create conflicting copies.
Do bases built during an expedition appear on my regular save?
The Omega notes specify sharing discoveries and bases with the associated primary save when the expedition was started from that save. That behavior should not be assumed for an unrelated expedition save created through the new-game route.
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