Is The Forest cross platform? If you’re trying to team up with friends to survive the cannibal-filled peninsula, running into platform limitations can be frustrating—especially when one player is on PC and another is on PlayStation. That feeling of wanting a simple co-op session but being blocked by confusing platform rules is extremely common.
This guide gives you a clear, direct answer so you can stop guessing. Below, you’ll find the definitive cross-platform status for The Forest on PC, PS4, and PS5. We’ll also explain the differences compared to its sequel, Sons of the Forest, which is where most of the confusion begins.
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Quick Answer: Is The Forest Cross Platform?
No, The Forest is not cross platform. Players on PC (Steam) cannot play with players on PlayStation consoles (PS4 or PS5).
For a quick breakdown, here is the complete crossplay status for both The Forest and its sequel, Sons of the Forest, as of 2025.
| Game | Platforms | Can They Play Together? |
| The Forest | PC vs. PlayStation 4 | No |
| The Forest | PC vs. PlayStation 5 | No |
| The Forest | PlayStation 4 vs. PlayStation 5 | Yes (via backwards compatibility) |
| Sons of the Forest | PC vs. Console (PS5/Xbox) | No (Game is currently PC-only) |
Understanding The Forest’s Multiplayer: Why PC and Playstation Can’t Play Together
The simple reason is the forest crossplay capabilities were never added is because the game was built on two entirely separate networks that don’t talk to each other.
- PC players use the Steam network to host and join multiplayer games.
- PlayStation players use the PlayStation Network (PSN).
When The Forest was developed and released, creating a bridge between these two separate ecosystems was a significant technical and logistical challenge. The developers at Endnight Games opted to keep the multiplayer pools separate.
This means that even though the game offers a fantastic co-op experience for up to eight players, all eight of those players must be on the same platform.
What About The Forest on PS5?
This is a very common question, and the answer has a nice bit of good news! You can play The Forest on a PlayStation 5, but it only works because of backwards compatibility. You are actually just playing the PS4 version of the game on your newer console.
Because of this, the same rule applies: a PS5 player (who is running the PS4 version) can play with friends on a PS4.3 However, they cannot play with friends on PC.
Is The Forest Crossplay Between Steam and the Epic Games Store?
This is another great question, as many PC games do require crossplay functionality between different PC storefronts.6
However, for The Forest, this is not a concern. The game is only available on Steam for PC. It is not sold on the Epic Games Store or the Microsoft Store, so all PC players are already in the same place.
The Big Question: Is the Sequel, Sons of the Forest, Cross-Platform?
Here is the biggest source of confusion for most players. You’ve heard about the sequel, Sons of the Forest, and are wondering if the developers added crossplay for the new game.
Unfortunately, the answer is again no. As of 2025, Sons of the Forest is not cross-platform for one simple reason: it is only available on PC.
The game had its full 1.0 release in early 2024, but it has not yet been released on PS5 or Xbox consoles.Because it’s only on one platform (PC), there are no other platforms to be “cross-platform” with.
Will Sons of the Forest Get Console or Crossplay Support in 2026?
While the developers at Endnight Games have not given a final, official “yes” or “no,” we can look at their history to make a good guess.
The original game, The Forest, was released on PC first and came to PlayStation about seven months later. It’s very likely Sons of the Forest will follow a similar path, and we may see a console release for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.
However, the original The Forest never received crossplay support, even after its console release. Given this history, it is unlikely (but not impossible) that Sons of the Forest will get full crossplay. For now, you should assume that even when it does come to consoles, those platforms will not be able to play with PC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can PC and PS4 play The Forest together?
No. The Forest does not support cross-platform play between PC (Steam) and PS4 (PSN). They are on separate networks.
Can PS4 and PS5 play The Forest together?
Yes. The PS5 runs the PS4 version of the game via backwards compatibility. This means PS4 and PS5 players are on the same PlayStation Network and can play together.
How many players can be in The Forest co-op?
You can play with up to eight players in a single co-op game. However, all players must be on the same platform (all on PC or all on PlayStation).
Why don’t developers just add crossplay to The Forest?
Adding crossplay to an older game is a very difficult, costly, and technical process. The developer’s focus has almost certainly moved entirely to their new game, Sons of the Forest.3
We’re Here to Help You Connect
We know this is probably disappointing news, as not being able to play with friends is always a letdown. But we hope this guide has at least given you the clear, stress-free answer you were looking for!
Now that you have the clear answer for The Forest, why not find a great new game you can play with all your friends? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Cozy Sim Guides for our top recommendations that help you connect.
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