Subnautica 2 launched into Early Access on 14 May 2026, and one of its biggest additions over the original is a fully functional co-op multiplayer mode. If you have been wondering whether you can dive in with friends on different platforms, the short answer is yes. However, crossplay currently works across PC and Xbox only, with more platforms confirmed for the future.
Does Subnautica 2 Support Cross-Platform Play?
Yes, Subnautica 2 fully supports crossplay across PC and Xbox at the Early Access launch. You can play together regardless of whether you are on PC via Steam, PC via Epic Games, or Xbox Series X/S. PlayStation 5 support is planned for a later date, and crossplay will likely expand further when the game reaches full release.
| Platform | Status |
| Xbox Series X/S | Available, crossplay supported |
| PC (Steam) | Available, crossplay supported |
| PC (Epic Games) | Available, crossplay supported |
| PlayStation 5 | Planned for later, not yet available |
| Nintendo Switch | Not available |
| VR | Not available |
How Many Players Can Play Together?
Subnautica 2 supports online co-op for up to four players, meaning one host and three friends in a single session. You cannot go beyond four players regardless of platform. Online multiplayer on Xbox consoles requires an active Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate subscription.
How to Host a Multiplayer Game
Setting up a session is straightforward. Here is how to get started:
- From the main menu, select Host Multiplayer.
- Choose Host New Multiplayer Game if this is your first time hosting.
- Select your preferred game mode, then click Host to begin.
- To invite friends on the same platform, open Friends List from the main menu and send direct invites.
One particularly useful feature is that you can convert a single-player save into a multiplayer world from the main menu at any time. You do not need to start a fresh game just to bring friends in, which makes the whole system genuinely flexible for players who started solo.
Important note on sessions: Subnautica 2 uses host-based sessions rather than dedicated servers. This means if the host disconnects or leaves the game, the session ends for everyone. There is no host migration in Early Access currently, so it is worth choosing a stable connection as the host before you start.
How to Add Cross-Platform Friends
If you and your friend are on different platforms, the standard platform invite will not work. Instead, Subnautica 2 uses a dedicated Friend Code system to handle cross-platform connections. Follow these steps:
- Open the Friends List from within the game.
- Select Generate Code to create an 8-digit friend code.
- Share that code with your friend, who then enters it into the Add Friend field.
- Accept the incoming friend request when it appears.
- Once added, scroll down your friends list, hover over their name, and select Invite.
- Your friend accepts the invite and joins the session.
The icon next to each friend’s name in the list shows whether they are on Xbox or Steam, making it easy to keep track across platforms.
How to Join a Friend’s Game
If someone else is hosting, you can join their session by selecting Join Friends from the main menu. This screen shows all active games currently running on your friends list, and you simply click the session you want to enter.
Is There Cross-Save Support?
Yes, Subnautica 2 supports cross-platform saves and cross-progression, both tied to your account. You can upload your save to the cloud and download it on another platform, so your progress carries across Xbox and PC seamlessly. Additionally, if you played a multiplayer session, the host can share the world save via a cloud code so other players can download it and continue exploring in single-player on their own device.
Useful Things to Know About Multiplayer
A few details worth keeping in mind before you jump in with friends:
- All players can travel independently and explore as far from each other as they want within the same session.
- You can ping specific locations to flag them for teammates. On PC, the default key is V.
- Multiple players can share the same Lifepod as a respawn point.
- Scanner Stations are shared across the lobby, meaning only one resource can be tracked at a time for all players. This can actually work in your favour when a teammate at base pulls up a material location for a player out exploring, though it does mean you cannot run separate searches simultaneously.
- Resources are plentiful in the current build, so scarcity rarely creates friction between players in a shared session.
- Built-in voice chat is available in multiplayer, so you do not need an external app to coordinate with your team.
- Multiplayer runs well overall in Early Access, though sessions with four players in large bases can see minor performance dips. These are expected to improve as development continues.
Troubleshooting Tip
If you are having trouble connecting with a cross-platform friend, make sure all players are running the latest patch and that crossplay is enabled in your in-game settings before attempting to add or invite anyone.
Subnautica 2 is currently priced at $29.99 on Xbox (with a Reaper Statue add-on available separately) and is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. You can purchase or access the game via the Microsoft Store, Steam, or the Epic Games Store.
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