Battlefield 6 ships with a simple, in-game cross-play toggle and a matchmaking model designed to keep console players together by default, while still allowing mixed pools with PC when needed. But following a capture event, EA clarified that there is no console-only cross-play after all — meaning PlayStation and Xbox won’t play together if cross-play is off. Here’s how it behaves on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and what those choices actually mean for your matches.

PlayStation (PS5)
Cross-Play ON Prefers PS5 + Xbox lobbies; may pull in PC if needed
Cross-Play OFF PS5-only lobbies
Notes No PS5 + Xbox shared mode despite earlier dev claims
Xbox (Series X|S)
Cross-Play ON Prefers Xbox + PS5 lobbies; may pull in PC if needed
Cross-Play OFF Xbox-only lobbies
Notes Same restriction as PS5 — OFF = platform-only
PC
Cross-Play Always on; PC-only or mixed console + PC lobbies
Cross-Play OFF ❌ Cannot disable
Notes Anti-cheat + secure boot mandatory

The short version

  • There’s an in‑game cross‑play switch on consoles; you don’t need to dig into system settings.
  • With cross‑play ON (console): matchmaking prefers console vs. console. If the lobby needs players, it can pull in PC.
  • With cross‑play OFF (console): you’ll only be matched with your platform (Xbox with Xbox, PlayStation with PlayStation). EA confirmed this is platform-only, not PS5 + Xbox console-only pools. You also can’t party with other platforms.
  • On PC: cross‑play is on by default and can’t be disabled.
  • Aim assist on controller has been reworked across infantry and vehicles, and the studio says it has tuned input balance with cross‑play in mind.
  • New anti‑cheat measures (including a required system and secure boot) target PC, where cheating is more prevalent.

How the console toggle works in practice

On consoles, Battlefield 6 exposes a straightforward on/off switch inside the game. With the switch ON, matchmaking starts by looking for other console players within a set window before widening to include PC to fill remaining slots. The intent is to keep controller‑based lobbies feeling consistent while maintaining healthy queue times during off‑peak hours or in less popular modes.

With the switch OFF, you’ll be restricted to your own platform (PS5 only, Xbox only). Despite earlier interviews suggesting “console-only crossplay,” EA has clarified this isn’t the case.

What to expect on PC

PC players are in cross‑play by default and can’t turn it off. That means the PC pool remains broad — PC‑only and mixed lobbies with consoles — which helps with queue health across regions and modes.

Controllers, mouse/keyboard, and input balance

Battlefield 6 revamps controller aim assist and applies it across the “combat triangle” (infantry‑vs‑infantry, infantry‑vs‑vehicles, and vehicle‑vs‑vehicle). The team says it has specifically evaluated input strengths and trade‑offs to make mixed‑input lobbies viable.

Two important caveats:

  • Console‑only does not equal controller‑only. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S support mouse and keyboard in games that enable it, and Battlefield 6 supports these inputs. You may still encounter mouse/keyboard users in a console‑only pool.
  • There’s no exposure of input‑based matchmaking. If you want controller‑only lobbies, that filter isn’t available; the practical workaround is console‑only matchmaking, which statistically skews heavily toward controllers but won’t exclude mouse/keyboard entirely.

Cheating and the PC question?

The studio calls cheating “much more prevalent on PC” and is taking a layered approach to mitigation: secure boot and a new required anti‑cheat system, backed by dedicated internal teams monitoring, updating detections, and banning offenders. No anti‑cheat is perfect, and the team frames this as an ongoing cat‑and‑mouse effort. This is the primary reason many console players prefer to exclude PC — and why Battlefield 6 gives you a fast toggle to do exactly that.

Default behavior and where to change it

  • Cross‑play is enabled by default. On consoles, that means console‑first matchmaking with the option to widen to PC when necessary.
  • You can change the setting directly in the game via a single toggle. The exact menu label may vary, but you won’t need to alter system‑level cross‑network settings on your console.

Tip: If you notice a steady flow of PC players filling your lobbies with cross‑play ON, flip the toggle OFF and re‑queue. If your region or mode has slower fills at odd hours, try turning it back ON to reduce wait times while still benefiting from console‑first logic.

What console‑only changes — and what it doesn’t

  • Reduces exposure to PC‑side cheating and to the mouse/keyboard plus ultra‑high‑refresh advantage common on PC.
  • Keeps the player pool larger than single‑platform matchmaking if the off state is console‑wide (PS5 + Xbox), which helps sustain niche modes later in the game’s life.
  • Does not guarantee controller‑only lobbies. A small share of console players will use mouse/keyboard.

Release timing and what to watch after launch

Battlefield 6 is slated to release on October 10, 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Early patches often refine matchmaking rules and defaults. If the off‑state granularity (console‑wide vs. platform‑only) is a deciding factor for you, check the game’s launch notes and first updates; the studio has already discussed both behaviors publicly, and the live implementation may evolve as player patterns emerge.

Battlefield 6 treats cross-play as a practical slider, not an all-or-nothing switch.

  • Leave it ON for the fastest queues — you’ll usually fight console players, with PC only filling gaps.
  • Flip it OFF to stay on your own platform and eliminate PC players entirely, accepting longer waits.

EA’s clarification means you won’t get PS5 + Xbox shared lobbies with cross-play off, but the toggle still gives console players meaningful control over their matchmaking experience.