Palworld supports online multiplayer for up to 4 players in co-op and up to 32 players on dedicated servers — but the cross-platform situation is nuanced. Whether you can play with friends on different platforms depends on which platforms they are using. This guide covers the full Palworld crossplay and cross-platform status, PS5 availability, how to set up a dedicated server, server settings and admin commands, and fixes for common errors including EOS login timeout and token not found.
For the complete Palworld best Pals guide to prepare your co-op team, see our article on Palworld best Pals — tier list, mounts, combat, and base workers.
Is Palworld Crossplay — Full Platform Status
| Platform Combo | Crossplay? | Details |
| PC (Steam) + Xbox | Yes | Full crossplay — PC Steam and Xbox One/Series X/S play together |
| PC (Xbox App) + Xbox | Yes | Same Microsoft ecosystem — full crossplay |
| PS5 + PC | No | Palworld is not available on PlayStation — no PS5 crossplay |
| PS5 + Xbox | No | Palworld not on PS5 — not applicable |
| Xbox + Xbox | Yes | Same platform multiplayer |
| PC + PC | Yes | Steam to Steam; Steam to Xbox App |
Key Crossplay Facts
- Palworld crossplay works between PC (Steam), PC (Microsoft/Xbox App), and Xbox One/Series X/S
- Palworld is NOT available on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 — there is no PS5 version and therefore no PS5 crossplay
- Nintendo Switch: Palworld is not available on Nintendo Switch as of mid-2026
- Crossplay must be enabled in World Settings — it can be turned off if you want PC-only or Xbox-only sessions
Is Palworld Cross Platform — How to Enable Crossplay
- When creating a new world: World Settings → Enable Crossplay toggle (on by default)
- For existing worlds: Open World Settings → enable the crossplay toggle
- To invite a crossplay friend: Share your Invite Code from the multiplayer menu — friends on any supported platform enter the code to join
Is Palworld on PS5?
No — Palworld is not available on PlayStation 5 (or PlayStation 4) as of mid-2026. Palworld launched in January 2024 in Early Access on PC (Steam) and Xbox (via Xbox Game Pass). Pocketpair has not announced a PS5 release date. The Nintendo lawsuit from September 2024 added uncertainty to the game’s platform expansion plans. For PS5 players who want to play Palworld, the options are: purchase a copy on PC via Steam, play via Xbox Game Pass on Xbox console, or wait for a potential PS5 announcement.
Will Palworld Come to PS5?
As of mid-2026, Pocketpair has not officially confirmed a PS5 release date for Palworld. Given the ongoing Nintendo patent lawsuit and the game’s early access status through much of 2024-2025, platform expansion has been secondary to content development. The 1.0 full release brought Palworld to a broader audience and may increase the likelihood of a PS5 port in the future — but no announcement exists as of this writing. Monitor Pocketpair’s official social media and the Palworld Steam page for any PS5 announcements.
Is Palworld on Steam Deck?
Yes — Palworld is playable on Steam Deck, though it is not officially Steam Deck Verified as of mid-2026. It runs via Steam and is categorized as ‘Playable’ — meaning it works but may have some interface or performance limitations on the Deck’s hardware. Performance on Steam Deck: expect 30-45fps at medium settings in most areas, with frame rate drops in dense base environments. The game is fully playable and enjoyable on Steam Deck for both single-player and online multiplayer co-op.
Is Palworld on Nintendo Switch?
No — Palworld is not available on Nintendo Switch as of mid-2026. The Nintendo lawsuit over patent infringement has made a Switch release extremely unlikely in the near term. The irony of a Nintendo-adjacent creature-catching game launching on Nintendo’s own platform amid an active lawsuit against the developer is obvious — a Switch version is not expected while the lawsuit is unresolved.
Palworld Multiplayer — Co-op and Server Modes
| Mode | Details |
| Online Co-op (P2P) | Up to 4 players; host player’s world; host must be online for others to play |
| Dedicated Server | Up to 32 players; runs independently; players can join anytime |
| Split Screen | Not available — Palworld does not support local split screen |
| Crossplay | PC + Xbox supported; PS5 not available |
Is Palworld Split Screen?
No — Palworld does not support local split screen co-op. All multiplayer in Palworld is online only — you need a network connection and separate accounts/devices to play with friends. This is a common question since creature-catching games like Pokemon have couch co-op traditions, but Palworld’s multiplayer is entirely online.
Palworld Dedicated Server — How to Set Up
A dedicated server allows up to 32 players to connect to a persistent Palworld world that runs 24/7 without the host needing to be online. It is the recommended setup for larger friend groups or communities.
Dedicated Server Setup — PC (Steam)
- In Steam, install ‘Palworld Dedicated Server’ — it appears in your Steam library as a separate item once you own Palworld
- Launch the dedicated server application
- Edit PalWorldSettings.ini (found in Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/) to configure your server
- Forward port 8211 (UDP) on your router if hosting from home
- Share your server IP and port with friends to connect
Palworld Server Settings — PalWorldSettings.ini
The PalWorldSettings.ini file controls all server parameters. Key settings:
| Setting | Effect |
| ServerName | Display name of your server in the server list |
| ServerPassword | Password to join (leave blank for public) |
| ServerPlayerMaxNum | Maximum players (up to 32) |
| PalCaptureRate | Pal catch rate multiplier (1.0 = default) |
| ExpRate | XP rate multiplier (1.0 = default; 3.0 = triple XP) |
| PalDamageRateAttack | Pal attack damage multiplier |
| PlayerDamageRateAttack | Player attack damage multiplier |
| WorkSpeedRate | Work speed for all Pals (1.0 = default) |
| EggDefaultHatchingTime | Egg hatch time in hours (default 72; set to 0 for instant) |
| bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage | PvP on/off (False = no PvP) |
| bActiveUNKO | Enables the poop function |
Palworld Admin Commands — Full List
Admin commands are entered in the in-game chat with the / prefix after setting yourself as admin via the console. Key admin commands:
| Command | Effect |
| /AdminPassword [password] | Authenticate as admin in-game |
| /KickPlayer [PlayerUID] | Remove a player from the server |
| /BanPlayer [PlayerUID] | Permanently ban a player |
| /TeleportToPlayer [PlayerUID] | Teleport to a specific player’s location |
| /ShowPlayers | List all connected players and their UIDs |
| /Info | Show server information |
| /Save | Force save the server world |
| /Shutdown [Seconds] [Message] | Scheduled server shutdown with notice |
| /DoExit | Immediately stop the server |
Palworld EOS Login Timeout — Fix
The ‘EOS login timeout’ error (also displayed as ‘palworld error eos login timeout’) occurs when Palworld cannot connect to the Epic Online Services (EOS) backend that handles crossplay and online features. EOS is used by Palworld for cross-platform identity even on Steam.
How to Fix EOS Login Timeout in Palworld
- Check server status: Visit the Epic Online Services status page (status.epicgames.com) — the EOS timeout is often a server-side issue, not your connection
- Restart Palworld: Close completely and relaunch — often resolves transient EOS connection issues
- Check firewall: Ensure your firewall is not blocking EOS services — add exceptions for Palworld and EOS executables
- Verify game files: Steam → Right-click Palworld → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity
- Disable VPN: VPNs frequently cause EOS authentication failures — disable before launching
- Flush DNS: Run ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ in Command Prompt, then restart Palworld
- Reinstall EOS redistributable: Found in your Palworld installation folder → Engine/Extras/Redist/en-us/
Palworld Token Not Found — Fix
The ‘token not found’ error in Palworld occurs during server connection and authentication. It typically means Palworld cannot verify your account credentials with the EOS backend.
How to Fix Token Not Found in Palworld
- Log out of all EOS/Epic accounts and log back in
- Delete the Palworld saved credentials: Go to %LocalAppData%\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\ and delete the auth cache files
- Verify Steam is running and you are logged in — Palworld uses Steam for authentication on the PC version
- Restart Steam completely before launching Palworld
- Check for Palworld updates — token not found is sometimes fixed in patches
Palworld Transfer Host Save
Transferring a Palworld save from one host to another (for example, moving a co-op save to a dedicated server) involves copying specific save files:
- Host save location (PC): C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\[SteamID]\[WorldID]\
- Copy the entire WorldID folder to the dedicated server’s save directory
- On the dedicated server: Pal\Saved\SaveGames\0\[WorldID]\ — paste the save files here
- Restart the dedicated server — it will load the transferred save
For the complete Palworld mods guide including how to install mods and the best mods available, see our article on Palworld mods guide — how to install mods, best mods, and cheat engine.
For Palworld server hosting options beyond self-hosting, see Palworld dedicated server setup — official Pocketpair documentation. For EOS service status when experiencing login errors, see the Epic Online Services status page.
Palworld Multiplayer Tips — Playing With Friends Efficiently
When playing Palworld co-op with friends, a few conventions make the experience significantly smoother. Divide roles by player preference rather than having everyone do everything: designate one player as the primary base builder while others focus on exploration and Pal catching. The base builder can focus on setting up production chains while explorers bring back resources and Pals. This division of labor mirrors how the game’s systems are designed — the base production system is deep enough to be a full-time activity, and exploration is similarly rewarding for dedicated players. For dungeons, co-op makes the experience faster but can also make captures harder since Pals can be KO’d before you get capture attempts — coordinate to use Sleep or Giga Spheres on weakened Pals to maximize catch rates.
Palworld Server Hosting Options
Beyond self-hosting on your own PC, several dedicated Palworld server hosting providers offer managed hosting that keeps your world running 24/7 without using your personal hardware. Popular Palworld server hosting providers include Nitrado, G-Portal, and several others that specifically support Palworld dedicated servers. Managed hosting typically costs $5-20 per month depending on player slot count and hardware tier. The advantages of managed hosting over self-hosting: no router port forwarding required, professional-grade uptime and DDoS protection, easy server management through a web panel, and automatic updates when Palworld patches release. For groups of 4-8 players who want a persistent shared world, managed hosting is often more reliable than self-hosting on a consumer internet connection.
Palworld Wanted Level — How It Works
Palworld has a Wanted system — entering illegal areas (Wildlife Sanctuaries) or catching Pals in front of witnesses triggers a Wanted status that sends PIDF (Pal Investigation Defense Force) soldiers after you. The Wanted level increases the more illegal activity you engage in, with higher levels sending more powerful PIDF units. To clear your Wanted status: fly or run away from the PIDF pursuit and wait for the timer to expire (moving far enough away eventually causes pursuit to stop), or go to sleep in a bed at your base which clears the Wanted status immediately. The Wanted system adds a layer of risk to the most efficient Pal-catching locations (Wildlife Sanctuaries) that balances the rare Pals available there.
Palworld World Settings — Complete Customization Guide
When creating a new Palworld world, the Custom Settings option reveals dozens of sliders and toggles that let you customize almost every aspect of the game’s difficulty and pacing. Key settings beyond the standard ones: PalCaptureRate controls how easy it is to catch Pals (increase for easier catches); NightTimeScale and DayTimeScale control day/night cycle speed; CollectionDropRate controls how much resources drop from environmental gathering; DeathPenalty controls what you drop on death (None removes death penalty entirely). For players who find the default settings too punishing or too easy, the world settings provide granular control that effectively lets you set your own difficulty. Settings can be changed for existing worlds by editing PalWorldSettings.ini.
The evolution of Palworld’s multiplayer infrastructure reflects the game’s overall development trajectory. At Early Access launch, co-op was limited and somewhat unstable — host desync and inventory issues were common. By the 1.0 release, multiplayer had been significantly stabilized with better state synchronization between host and clients, improved dedicated server performance, and a more reliable crossplay connection system. The dedicated server infrastructure supporting 32-player worlds has matured considerably, with community-developed server management tools and hosting providers making Palworld server administration accessible even to non-technical players. This infrastructure improvement means that in 2026, Palworld’s multiplayer is a genuinely robust experience compared to the often-buggy co-op of the Early Access launch period.
The crossplay system in Palworld also affects how save files and world progression work in co-op. When playing via P2P co-op, only the host’s world is used — clients’ progress (Pal catches, items collected) is saved to the host’s world, not the client’s own single-player save. This means if you join a friend’s world and catch 50 Pals, those Pals are in your friend’s world, not your solo save. On dedicated servers, player saves are stored server-side and tied to your account — progress persists across sessions regardless of who hosts. Understanding this save structure prevents confusion when switching between solo and multiplayer play.
Bottom Line
| Is Palworld crossplay? | Yes — PC (Steam/Xbox App) and Xbox crossplay supported |
| Is Palworld on PS5? | No — not available on PlayStation as of mid-2026 |
| Is Palworld on Switch? | No — lawsuit with Nintendo makes this unlikely near-term |
| Is Palworld on Steam Deck? | Yes — Playable status; 30-45fps at medium settings |
| Is Palworld split screen? | No — online multiplayer only |
| Max players (co-op) | 4 players (P2P) or 32 players (dedicated server) |
| Server settings file | PalWorldSettings.ini in Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ |
| EOS login timeout fix | Check Epic status page; restart; disable VPN; verify files |
| Token not found fix | Re-login to Epic/Steam; delete auth cache; verify files |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palworld crossplay between PC and Xbox?
Yes — Palworld supports crossplay between PC (Steam), PC (Xbox/Microsoft App), and Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S. To play together, the host creates a world with crossplay enabled (on by default) and shares the Invite Code. Friends on any supported platform enter the code to join. Palworld is not available on PlayStation, so PC-to-PS5 crossplay is not possible.
Is Palworld on PS5?
No — Palworld is not available on PlayStation 5 or PS4 as of mid-2026. The game launched on PC (Steam) and Xbox (Game Pass) in January 2024. Pocketpair has not announced a PS5 release date. To play Palworld without an Xbox or PC, there is no official option currently.
How do I set up a Palworld dedicated server?
Install the Palworld Dedicated Server app from Steam (free with Palworld ownership). Edit PalWorldSettings.ini to configure server name, password, player limit, and game settings. Forward port 8211 (UDP) on your router for home hosting. Share your IP and port with friends to connect. Dedicated servers support up to 32 players and run independently without the host needing to be online.
How do I fix the Palworld EOS login timeout error?
To fix EOS login timeout: check status.epicgames.com for EOS service outages (often a server-side issue). Restart Palworld, disable VPN, verify game files in Steam, and flush DNS (ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt). If persistent, reinstall the EOS redistributable from your Palworld installation folder.
