If you have a family group set up with your Microsoft Account and for Xbox, then you'll already know about some of the great features for controlling what your kids have access to. But one thing they may want to use is actually hidden behind a setting you might not know exists.
Crossplay.
This is specifically referring to cross-network play, that is, playing with friends outside the Xbox Live walls. When it comes to some of today's best Xbox games like Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons, it's perfectly possible for your kids to play from their Xbox Series S with their friends on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, for example, but to do so, you'll have to give them the magic permission first.
There are a couple of different ways to enable it and we'll walk you through each.
How to set up crossplay in the Xbox Family Settings app
If you have a family group set up for anything relating to your Microsoft account, there are a couple of mobile apps you should definitely have. For managing Xbox-specific settings, the Xbox Family Settings app is the one to have and the one we're using here.
Grab it for either iPhone (opens in new tab) or Android (opens in new tab) and get logged in with your Microsoft Account before following these steps.
- Tap on the relevant child profile.
- Next, tap the settings icon in the bottom right corner.
- Scroll down and tap on cross-network play.
- Set the toggle switch to allow.
This will now enable crossplay outside Xbox Live, but it won't enable communication with those platforms.
How to set up crossplay on the web
If you'd rather set this up on the web, it's very straightforward also. You can either login directly, or you can go via Xbox app for Windows 10 or 11
- If using the Xbox app, first open settings.
- Click manage privacy settings.
- If going through the web, go to account.xbox.com/en-us/settings (opens in new tab) and login.
- Click on your child's profile.
- Click Xbox One/Windows 10 Online Safety
- Ensure the first box, relating to crossplay, is set to allow.
This will now enable crossplay outside Xbox Live, but it won't enable communication with those platforms.
Xbox Series X/S
Main
- Xbox Series X: Everything we know
- Best games coming to Xbox Series X/S
- List of Xbox Series X specs
- What is the Xbox Series X release date?
- How much does Xbox Series X cost?
- Why you can't preorder Xbox Series X yet
- Best Xbox Series X Headsets
