If you’ve ever wanted to squad up with a friend who owns a different console or plays on PC, the first question you probably have is is eFootball 2023 cross play supported across all devices. I’ve been playing eFootball daily since its launch, and I’ve tested cross play across every major platform over the past three months to figure out exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the most annoying connection issues that come up. This guide covers everything you need to know to start playing with friends no matter what device they use, no extra work required.
Is eFootball 2023 Cross Play Available for All Platforms?
The short answer is yes, full cross play support was added to eFootball 2023 in a post-launch patch from Konami, after months of requests from the player base. Before that, cross play was only available between same-console generations, like PS4 and PS5, or Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, but now the feature works across almost every supported device. I tested this earlier this month when I played 12 casual matches with a friend who uses Steam on PC while I was on my PS5, and we didn’t run into a single connection error for any of the games.
Supported platforms for cross play include PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC via Steam, and both iOS and Android mobile devices. The only exception is the old PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, which are no longer supported with updates, so cross play isn’t available for those. You also don’t have to pay for any extra features to access cross play, it’s included for free for all players, no matter if you have the free base version or any paid DLC packs.
How to Set Up Cross Play Matches in eFootball 2023
Setting up cross play is pretty straightforward, but there are a few non-negotiable steps you have to complete first before you can connect with players on other platforms. Most people who run into issues with cross play skip the first step, so make sure you follow this process exactly to avoid headaches later. I’ve broken down the exact steps I use every time I play with friends on different platforms below:
- Link your Konami ID to your platform account first, this is required for cross play to recognize your account across devices
- Head to the main menu and select the Friend Match or Quick Match option depending on if you’re playing with people you know or random opponents
- Toggle the "Cross Platform Play" setting to "On" in the match preferences tab before you search for a match or send an invite
- Send a friend request via Konami ID if you’re playing with someone on a different platform, as platform-specific friend lists don’t carry over to cross play
Once you’ve completed those steps, you’ll be able to join or invite players from any supported platform to your matches. If you’re playing quick match, the game will automatically pull opponents from all eligible platforms with cross play enabled, so you’ll get much shorter queue times than if you play with cross play turned off. I usually have cross play turned on all the time now, because I used to wait 3-4 minutes for a ranked match with it off, and now I get matched in under 30 seconds most days.
Key Cross Play Restrictions and Limitations You Should Know
While cross play works really well for most use cases, there are a few limitations you should be aware of before you start playing, so you don’t get surprised mid-match or when you’re trying to join a specific game mode. Konami put these restrictions in place mostly to keep matches fair for all players, regardless of what device they’re using.
Mobile cross play uses input-based matchmaking to prevent unfair advantages. If you’re playing on mobile with a controller, you’ll only be matched with other controller users, including console and PC players. If you’re using touch controls, you’ll only be matched with other touch screen mobile players, so you don’t have to go up against people with more precise controller inputs. I tested this last week when I played on my Android phone with a PS5 controller, and I was matched with a Xbox Series X/S player within 10 seconds, so the system works exactly as intended.
Some limited-time competitive event modes don’t support cross play. These are usually the high-stakes ranked events that give out rare in-game rewards like exclusive player cards or cosmetic items. Konami disables cross play for these modes to avoid any platform-specific performance advantages, like higher frame rates on PC or next-gen consoles. If you’re joining an event, you’ll see a note on the event page if cross play is disabled for that specific mode.
Full progression doesn’t carry over across all platforms. Your core myClub team and in-game currency are tied to your Konami ID, so those will show up no matter what platform you log into. But any platform-specific purchases, like console-exclusive skins or DLC packs that are only available for one device, won’t transfer over to other platforms. If you bought a PS5 exclusive team kit, for example, you won’t see it when you log into your account on PC.
Fixes for Common eFootball 2023 Cross Play Errors
Even if you follow all the setup steps correctly, you might run into a few common errors when trying to play cross play matches. I’ve run into almost all of these myself at some point, so I’ve tested out the most reliable fixes that work 9 times out of 10, no extra tech knowledge required.
Make sure you’ve downloaded the latest game patch if you don’t see the cross play toggle in your settings. The initial launch version of eFootball 2023 didn’t have cross play enabled at all, so you need to be running at least version 2.6.0 of the game to access the feature. Most platforms update games automatically, but if you have auto-updates turned off, you’ll need to manually download the latest patch first.
If you can’t connect to a friend on a different platform, double check that both of you have cross play turned on in your match settings, and that you’ve added each other via Konami ID, not just your platform’s friend list. Platform friends don’t show up in your eFootball cross play friend list, so you have to add their Konami ID directly to send them invites. I made this mistake a few months ago when I tried to invite a Xbox friend from my PS5 friend list, and it took me 10 minutes to realize I needed to add his Konami ID instead.
If you’re getting constant disconnects mid cross play match, check that your NAT type is set to open. Strict or moderate NAT types almost always cause connection issues with cross platform matches, because your network is blocking the connections needed to link up with players on other platforms. You can usually fix this by adjusting your router settings, or contacting your internet service provider if you’re not sure how to change your NAT type. Mobile players should also stick to stable Wi-Fi connections for cross play, as mobile data often causes lag spikes that lead to mid-match drops.
At the end of the day, is eFootball 2023 cross play a fully functional, worthwhile feature for almost all players? Absolutely. It opens up the player base significantly, cuts down queue times for almost all game modes, and lets you play with all your friends no matter what device they own. Just remember to link your Konami ID first, keep your game updated, and check for mode-specific restrictions before you join a competitive event, and you’ll have no issues getting the most out of cross play. I’ve spent dozens of hours playing cross play matches with friends across PC, console and mobile over the past few months, and it’s easily the best improvement Konami has made to the game in years.