Is Borderlands 4 Cross-Play & Cross-Save? The 2025 Guide You Need

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Borderlands 4 is here, blasting players onto the chaotic new planet Kairos with the series’ trademark co-op loot frenzy. One of the first questions every Vault Hunter asks is:

Can I play with friends on any platform—and will my hard-earned loot follow me if I switch devices?

The answer is part victory, part “wait and see.” Here’s the latest, verified by community reports and official sources.

⚡ Quick Answer

  • Cross-Play: Yes. Borderlands 4 supports full cross-play across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store) right now.
    The Nintendo Switch 2 version launches Oct 3, 2025 and is expected to include cross-play, though Gearbox has not issued final confirmation.

  • Cross-Save / Cross-Progression: Not at launch. Gearbox says the feature is “on our radar” for a future update, but no release window has been announced.

1️⃣ How to Play Borderlands 4 Cross-Platform

Supported Platforms (Launch & Beyond)

  • PlayStation 5

  • Xbox Series X|S

  • PC (Steam & Epic Games Store)

  • Nintendo Switch 2 (expected support when it ships in October)

Set-Up Steps

  1. Create a free SHiFT account – the Gearbox service that links all platforms.

  2. Link your PSN, Xbox, Steam, and/or Epic accounts to SHiFT.

  3. Add friends by SHiFT username inside the game’s Social menu.

  4. Invite or join games across platforms—done!

Why SHiFT matters: Besides enabling cross-play, it unlocks redeemable SHiFT codes for Golden Keys and other loot drops.

Borderlands 4 Cross-Play & Cross-Save Explained
2️⃣ Cross-Save & Cross-Progression: The Missing Piece

What’s the difference?

  • Cross-Play: Squad up with friends on any platform.

  • Cross-Save / Progression: Move your character, loot, and campaign progress between platforms.

Current Status (Sept 2025)

  • Progress is locked to the platform you start on.

  • Switching from, say, PS5 to PC means starting a new character until cross-progression arrives.

  • Gearbox has confirmed the feature is planned, but no date or timeframe is public.

Gearbox statement: “This may be frustrating for some players, and we hear you. This is on our radar, and we appreciate all of your feedback.”

3️⃣ What This Means for You

Feature                        Available?        What It Means
Cross-Play✅ YesTeam up across PS5, Xbox, PC, and (expected) Switch 2.
Cross-Save❌ NoProgress can’t move between platforms—for now.
Cross-Progression❌ NoAccount-wide unlocks stay on one system.
SHiFT Account✅ YesRequired for cross-play & SHiFT code rewards.

Solo-Platform Players: Nothing changes—jump in and loot.
Multi-Platform Gamers:

  • Pick a main system until cross-save launches, or

  • Wait to buy if seamless progression matters.
    Co-Op Groups: Cross-play works great, but each friend keeps progress only on their own platform.

4️⃣ How It Stacks Up to Other Looter-Shooters

Game                    Cross-Play    Cross-Save
Borderlands 4✅ Launch❌ Planned
Destiny 2✅✅
The Division 2✅✅
Outriders✅✅
Borderlands 3✅ (later)❌

Borderlands 4 leaps ahead of Borderlands 3 on cross-play but still trails the genre leaders on cross-progression.

5️⃣ The Road Ahead

Cross-progression—when it arrives—will be a first for the Borderlands series and a major quality-of-life win. Until then:

  • Stay vocal: Post feedback on Gearbox forums, Reddit, or the official Discord to keep the priority high.

  • Watch for patches: Big seasonal updates are the most likely window for a cross-save rollout.

FAQ

When will cross-save launch?
No official date—Gearbox has only said it’s “on our radar.”

Will I need to buy the game twice?
Yes. Cross-save moves progress, not ownership. You need a copy of Borderlands 4 on each platform you play.

Does the Switch 2 version have cross-play?
It’s expected to at its Oct 3, 2025 release, but Gearbox hasn’t issued final confirmation.

Can I transfer Borderlands 3 saves?
No. Borderlands 4 is a brand-new story with no character carry-over.

Bottom Line

Borderlands 4 delivers best-in-class cross-play right now, letting every Vault Hunter on PS5, Xbox, PC—and soon Switch 2—team up for chaotic loot hunts.

But the lack of cross-save and cross-progression is a real drawback for players who jump between systems or plan to upgrade hardware. If that’s you, either settle on one platform for now or wait for Gearbox’s inevitable update.

Bookmark this page—we’ll update the moment Gearbox announces a cross-save release date. 

🛠️ Community Links & Resources

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