Crossplay in Overwatch 2 lets you play with friends on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, but Competitive mode handles it differently from casual play. In ranked, the game splits matchmaking into a PC pool and a console pool, and the platforms in your group decide which one you land in. This guide explains exactly how crossplay works in Overwatch 2 Competitive, how the pools are split, and how to enable or opt out.
Below we break it down into five short sections: what crossplay is, how the Competitive pools split, the grouping rules, cross-progression, and how to turn crossplay on or off. If you only remember one thing, make it this: in ranked, a single PC player in your party moves the whole group into the PC pool.
What crossplay means in Overwatch 2
Crossplay simply means players on different systems share the same servers and can queue together. In Overwatch 2 it covers PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, and it is switched on by default. That makes it easy to party up with friends regardless of the hardware they own, and your social features work the same way everywhere. For Competitive, however, there is an important catch in how matchmaking is organised.
The Competitive pool split: PC vs console
In Overwatch 2 Competitive, matchmaking does not throw everyone into one giant queue. Instead it uses two separate pools: a PC pool for mouse-and-keyboard players, and a console pool for PlayStation, Xbox and Switch players using controllers. Keeping them apart is about fairness, because aiming with a mouse behaves very differently from aiming with a controller. So when you rank up, you are competing against players using the same kind of input as you.
Grouping across platforms in ranked
The pool you queue in depends on who is in your group. If your party is made up entirely of console players, you stay in the console pool. But the moment you add even one PC player, the entire group is moved into the PC pool, where you may face mouse-and-keyboard opponents. This rule protects controller-only lobbies from being matched against keyboard players, and it is the key thing to plan around when you invite friends. If you want to stay in the console pool, keep your whole party on console.
Cross-progression: one shared account
Crossplay is separate from cross-progression, but they work hand in hand. By linking your platforms to a single Battle.net account, your unlocked heroes, skins, sprays, emotes, currency and Battle Pass progress all follow you from one system to another. Your friends list travels with you too. One thing to note: because ranked is split by input, your Competitive rank is tracked per pool, so your PC skill rating and your console skill rating can differ even on the same linked account.
How to enable, disable and what to expect
Crossplay is on by default, so most players never need to touch it. If you want to change it, open Settings > General and look for the crossplay option. On consoles you can opt out so you are matched only with other console players, which some people prefer for a more familiar lobby. PC players, on the other hand, cannot disable crossplay. Bear in mind that turning crossplay off can lengthen your queue times because it shrinks the pool of potential opponents.
Tips for crossplay in ranked
- Decide your pool before you invite. If your group is all-console and you want to stay there, do not add a PC friend for ranked.
- Treat your ranks separately. Climbing on PC has no bearing on your console rank, and vice versa, since they are tracked per input.
- Use voice and pings. Communication works across every linked platform, so coordinate just as you would on a single system.
- Expect a slower queue if you opt out. Disabling crossplay on console can make ranked queues longer at off-peak times.
Troubleshooting crossplay
I can't queue ranked with my friend on another platform
Make sure both of you have linked your platform to a Battle.net account and that crossplay is enabled. If one of you is on console with crossplay turned off, turn it back on to play together.
We're console players but got matched against PC opponents
Check whether anyone in your group is playing on PC. A single PC member moves the entire party into the PC pool. Re-form the group with console players only to return to the console pool.
My rank looks different on another device
That is expected. Competitive rank is tracked per input pool, so your PC and console skill ratings are stored separately even though everything else is shared on your account.
Frequently asked questions
Does Overwatch 2 have crossplay in Competitive?
Yes, but with limits. Console players can group and play ranked together across PlayStation, Xbox and Switch. PC players use a separate ranked pool, and mixing a PC player into a group sends the whole party to the PC pool.
Can PC and console play ranked together in Overwatch 2?
They can be in the same group, but doing so places everyone in the PC pool. Console players cannot be matched into a console-only ranked lobby while a PC player is in the party.
How do I turn off crossplay in Overwatch 2?
On console, open Settings > General and disable the crossplay option to match only with other console players. PC players cannot turn crossplay off.
Is my Competitive rank shared across platforms?
Your account, cosmetics and progress are shared, but your Competitive rank is tracked per input pool. Your PC and console ranks can therefore be different.
Does crossplay affect queue times in ranked?
It can. Keeping crossplay on generally gives faster matches because the pool is larger. Opting out on console can lead to longer queues, especially during quiet hours.
Final thoughts
Crossplay in Overwatch 2 Competitive is straightforward once you know the rule: casual modes mix everyone, but ranked keeps PC and console in separate pools, and any PC player in your group pulls the whole party into the PC pool. Link your platforms to one Battle.net account to carry your progress everywhere, remember that your PC and console ranks are tracked separately, and choose your party around the pool you want to play in. For the latest official details, see the Overwatch 2 website.
