Saints Row Cross Play & Cross Progression: What Works

Saints Row (2022) supports cross play and cross progression, but only on specific platforms. Cross play works between PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Epic Games Store and Steam). Cross progression works between PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and between Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, but not between different console families or between consoles and PC.

Background: What Cross Play and Cross Progression Mean Here

Cross play lets players on different platforms join the same cooperative session. Cross progression (sometimes called cross save) lets you carry your campaign progress, character, and unlocks across platforms. The 2022 reboot of Saints Row, developed by Volition and published by Deep Silver, launched with both features, but the implementation is not universal.

The game uses a single-player campaign with optional two-player online co-op. Because co-op is drop-in/drop-out, cross play is a natural fit. Cross progression, however, is tied to the platform’s save system, which is why it works within a console family but not across families.

Cross Play: Which Platforms Can Play Together?

Cross play in Saints Row (2022) works across these groups:

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can play together.
Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S players can play together.
PC players (Epic Games Store and Steam) can play together.
All of the above can play with each other in the same co-op session.

In other words, cross play is fully enabled across all platforms. A player on PlayStation 5 can join a friend on PC, and an Xbox Series X player can join a PlayStation 4 player. There are no restrictions based on console generation or storefront.

To use cross play, you need a Saints Row account (the game’s online service) and you must add your friends by their Saints Row ID. The game does not use platform friends lists for cross-platform invites; you use the in-game social menu.

Cross Progression: What Carries Over and What Doesn’t

Cross progression is more limited. It works only within the same console family:

PlayStation 4 saves can be transferred to PlayStation 5, and vice versa.
Xbox One saves can be transferred to Xbox Series X/S, and vice versa.

There is no cross progression between PlayStation and Xbox, or between consoles and PC. If you start on PC, you cannot continue on PlayStation, and vice versa. This is a common limitation in games that use platform-specific save files.

When you upgrade from a previous-generation console to the current one (e.g., PS4 to PS5), the game automatically detects your save and offers to transfer it. You can also manually upload your save from the old console via the game’s menu.

How to Enable Cross Play and Cross Progression

Cross play is enabled by default. To use it:

Create a Saints Row account or link your platform account to one.
In the game’s main menu, go to Social and then Friends.
Enter your friend’s Saints Row ID (not their platform username) to send a request.
Once accepted, you can invite them to your co-op session or join theirs.

For cross progression on the same console family:

On your old console, ensure you are connected to the internet and that your save is synced to the cloud (if you have PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Core).
On your new console, install the game and launch it.
The game will prompt you to transfer your save. If not, go to Settings and select “Transfer Save” or “Upload Save” to manually do it.

Note that you cannot have both a PS4 and a PS5 version of the same save active at the same time; the transfer overwrites the save on the destination console.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Players often encounter a few issues with cross play and progression:

Can’t find friend: Make sure you are using the correct Saints Row ID, which is case-sensitive and includes a hashtag and number (e.g., Player#1234).
Invite fails: Both players must have cross play enabled in the game’s settings. It is on by default, but if you turned it off, re-enable it.
Save not transferring: On PS5, you must have the PS5 version of the game installed, not the PS4 version running in backward compatibility. The transfer only works between the same game version.
PC cross progression: There is none. If you expected to move from PC to console, that is not supported.

If a save transfer fails, try uploading the save manually from the old console’s game menu, then download it on the new console. Also ensure both consoles are updated to the latest game patch.

What About the Original Saints Row Games?

The older Saints Row titles (Saints Row: The Third, Saints Row IV, etc.) do not have cross play or cross progression. Those games are either single-player only or have co-op that is platform-specific, and saves are tied to the platform. The 2022 reboot is the first in the series to offer cross play and cross progression at all.

If you are playing the remastered versions of older games, they also lack these features. Cross play and cross progression are exclusive to the 2022 game.

Comparing to Other Games

Saints Row’s cross play is broader than many games, but its cross progression is narrower. For example, games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone allow full cross progression across all platforms. Saints Row only allows it within console families. This is because the game uses platform-specific save files rather than a unified cloud save system tied to a single account.

If you plan to play on multiple platforms, you will need to decide which platform will be your primary one, because your progress will not follow you to other platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can PS4 and PS5 players play together in Saints Row?

Yes, PS4 and PS5 players can play together in co-op, and they can also transfer saves between the two consoles.

Can Xbox and PlayStation players play together?

Yes, cross play works between all platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation, as long as both players have the game and are connected to the Saints Row online service.

Can I transfer my PC save to PlayStation?

No, cross progression is not supported between PC and any console. You cannot transfer saves from PC to PlayStation or Xbox.

Do I need a Saints Row account for cross play?

Yes, you need a free Saints Row account to add friends across platforms. You can create one in the game’s menu or on the official website.

Does cross progression work between Steam and Epic Games Store?

No, cross progression is not supported between PC storefronts. Saves are tied to the platform (Steam or Epic), so you cannot transfer between them.

Can I play co-op with a friend who is on a different console generation?

Yes, cross play works across all generations. A PS4 player can play with a PS5 player, and an Xbox One player can play with an Xbox Series X player, as well as across brands.

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