Apex Legends, Respawn Entertainment’s fast-paced battle royale, has captivated millions of players across platforms since its launch. One of the most highly anticipated features among fans has been cross-progression, which allows players to carry over their unlocks, cosmetics, and stats across multiple platforms. As of late 2023, Apex Legends finally introduced this feature — albeit with some limitations — and many players are eager to understand how to enable it and what it entails.
TL;DR
Cross-progression is now live in Apex Legends, letting you merge your account data from different platforms into one unified profile. Initially, it’s supported between PC (Origin/Steam) and console platforms like PlayStation and Xbox. You can enable it by linking your accounts through EA’s website and selecting a primary account. Be aware that some content may not transfer, and account merges are permanent, so choose wisely.
What is Cross-Progression in Apex Legends?
Cross-progression is a system that combines your progress, cosmetics, achievements, and currency from Apex Legends across multiple platforms into one account. This means that whether you play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or PC, your skins, battle pass progress, and account level all synchronize under a single EA account.
Prior to the cross-progression update, players who switched platforms had to start from scratch. Now, you can pick up the game on a different device and continue where you left off. However, there are some nuances and limitations that you should be aware of before enabling this feature.
Supported Platforms for Cross-Progression
As of now, Apex Legends cross-progression is supported on the following platforms:
- PC (Origin and Steam)
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Respawn has indicated that support for Nintendo Switch is coming, but not yet available. Additionally, mobile versions of Apex Legends are excluded from cross-progression.
Things You Need Before You Begin
Before initiating the cross-progression process, ensure that you have the following:
- An active EA Account
- Access to your PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Steam accounts (depending on where you play)
- Patience — the merge process cannot be undone!
How to Enable Cross-Progression in Apex Legends
Follow these steps to enable cross-progression and merge your accounts:
- Log in to EA.com: Visit EA’s official website and sign into your EA account. This account is the central hub that will link all your progress.
- Navigate to ‘Connections’: Once logged in, go to your account settings and click on the Connections tab. This is where you will link your gaming platform accounts.
- Link Your Accounts: Click ‘Connect’ next to the relevant platforms like Steam, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live. Make sure you’re linking the accounts you actually play Apex Legends on — not old or inactive ones.
- Select a Primary Account: You will be prompted to choose which account will be your primary. This account’s data will become the baseline for your merged Apex Legends profile.
- Confirm and Finalize: Once you confirm the primary account, the merge process begins. Some data like Apex Coins and crafted items carry over, but there are exceptions — more on that below.
Choose Your Primary Account Carefully
You can only have one primary account during the merging process, and this selection is irreversible. That means whichever platform account you designate as your main profile will determine most of your cosmetic items, unlocked content, and legend progress.
If your Steam account has more skins and unlocked Legends than your Xbox account, you’ll want to designate Steam as your primary. Once selected, all content from the other accounts will be merged when possible, but any potential conflicts favor the primary account.
What Transfers and What Doesn’t
Not everything is guaranteed to transfer smoothly. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect:
Content That Transfers
- Skins and cosmetics
- Unlocked Legends
- Account level and badges
- Battle Pass progress
- Apex Coins (from the primary account only)
Content That May Not Transfer
- Event-specific items acquired on secondary accounts
- Cross-purchased Apex Coins from non-primary accounts
- Third-party controller configuration settings
In particular, Apex Coins will only carry over from your primary account. If you have a large stash of coins on your secondary platform, you may lose access to them after the merge.
Handling Duplicate Content
If you happen to own duplicate cosmetics or items across different platforms, Respawn’s system will automatically resolve conflicts by prioritizing items from your primary profile. Unused duplicates won’t usually be compensated with currency, nor will you get crafting materials back.
Can You Revert the Merge?
No. Once you merge your accounts for cross-progression, the process is permanent. Respawn has reiterated that players should be absolutely certain about their primary account before proceeding, as there’s no going back.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re running into issues with enabling cross-progression, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure all platform accounts are using the same email, or are verified with EA.
- Check that there are no bans or suspensions on any of the accounts.
- Ensure you’re not trying to link an account that’s already associated with another EA Account.
- Clear your browser cache or try a different browser if the ‘Connect’ buttons aren’t working.
If problems persist, EA’s Customer Support can manually assist with verifying linked accounts and resolving conflicts.
When Will Switch Support Arrive?
Cross-progression for Nintendo Switch is still in development. Respawn has expressed its intention to include the platform eventually, but port limitations and backend differences have delayed its integration. There is no timeline yet, so Switch players should keep an eye on future updates.
Security Reminder
Linking multiple game accounts to your EA profile makes the account even more valuable, so make sure to:
- Use a strong password for your EA account
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Never share your login credentials
Conclusion
Cross-progression in Apex Legends is a monumental step forward for flexibility and continuity, allowing players to enjoy the game more freely across platforms. While the system isn’t perfect and comes with caveats, it’s a welcome addition to the game’s ecosystem. Be deliberate when choosing your primary account, and enjoy a unified Apex experience wherever you play.
