How do I join multiplayer flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators?
Set up MSFS 2024 or MSFS 2020 multiplayer, invite friends, match servers and visibility settings, and fix missing players or connection problems.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 both support online multiplayer. Sign in, enable Online Functionality and Multiplayer, choose the same server region and player-visibility mode, then invite friends through the social panel or meet at the same airport. Other flight simulators use server browsers, organised networks, LAN or direct-IP sessions.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 multiplayer?
Yes. Both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 include built-in multiplayer, but they are separate simulators and cannot join the same session.
| Simulator | Multiplayer platforms | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | PC and Xbox Series X|S | PC and Xbox pilots can share the online world when cross-network permissions allow it. MSFS 2020 was never released for PlayStation. |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro | Cross-platform multiplayer requires compatible account privacy and cross-network settings. It does not connect to MSFS 2020 sessions. |
MSFS 2024 launched on PC and Xbox on 19 November 2024, followed by PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro on 8 December 2025. It was the first Flight Simulator released on a PlayStation console. Two friends therefore need the same simulator generation, not merely a game carrying the Microsoft Flight Simulator name.
How do I play multiplayer in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or 2020?
To play MSFS multiplayer with friends, match the simulator, server region and player-visibility mode before creating or joining a group.
- Use the same simulator. Confirm that everyone is running MSFS 2020 or everyone is running MSFS 2024. Install any required simulator update before trying to connect.
- Enable online services. Sign in and check that
Online FunctionalityandMultiplayerare enabled in the simulator's online or data settings. In MSFS 2020 these controls are found in the General Options data section; MSFS 2024 arranges its menus differently, but uses equivalent online settings. - Check account permissions. The platform account must allow multiplayer, friend invitations and cross-network play. Child or family-managed accounts may have these blocked. A console may also require the platform's applicable online multiplayer entitlement.
- Select the same server region. Open the profile or online-status area and compare the named server. Automatic selection can put pilots in different regions, especially when they live far apart.
- Match player visibility. Use compatible multiplayer traffic settings. MSFS 2020 commonly presents
All Players,Live PlayersandGroup Only; choosing different modes can produce one-way or completely missing visibility. - Create a group. Open the social or friends panel, select the other pilot and send a group invitation. The recipient must accept it rather than merely appearing online in the friends list.
- Agree on a spawn point. Choose the same ICAO airport and nearby parking stands. Do not both select the identical stand or spawn directly on an occupied runway. Loading one pilot first and placing the second at an adjacent stand avoids overlapping aircraft.
A mistake we see constantly is treating the airport as the session. Two pilots can sit at the same gate coordinates yet remain invisible because their server regions, simulator generations or player modes differ.
For the controls behind each step, our detailed MSFS friend-group and visibility walkthrough explains invitations, server selection and the settings that govern which aircraft appear.
Which type of flight simulator multiplayer should I choose?
Choose built-in multiplayer for casual flying, a private group for a coordinated flight, or an organised network when you want procedures and human air traffic control.
| Method | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Public MSFS world | Seeing other traffic while flying independently | No host is required, but nearby pilots may not be following the same route or communicating. |
| MSFS friend group | Flying with known pilots | Invitations and Group Only visibility make the session easier to control. Each pilot normally flies a separate aircraft. |
| Organised flying network | Flight plans, radio procedures and human ATC | An account and compatible pilot client are normally required. Our guide explains how to set up a pilot client, file a flight plan and fly with IVAO's human controllers. |
| Server browser | Mission-based simulators and public community servers | The server may enforce a map, aircraft module, password, modification set or integrity check. |
| LAN or direct IP | Older simulators and private self-hosted sessions | The host must provide the correct address and port. Internet hosting may require firewall and router configuration. |
Why can I not see my friend in MSFS multiplayer?
Missing friends in MSFS are usually caused by a different server region, player mode, simulator generation or account privacy setting.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Friend is online but no invitation appears | Presence, friendship or privacy permissions are blocking social features | Confirm both accounts show as online, add each other through the simulator's social system and permit invitations and cross-network play. |
| Friend joins the group but is invisible | Different server, visibility mode or online setting | Match the server region and multiplayer mode, confirm Online Functionality is enabled, then disband and recreate the group. |
| Only one pilot can see the other | Incompatible player filters | Put both pilots in the same mode rather than mixing Live Players, All Players and Group Only. |
| Multiplayer is unavailable or greyed out | Offline services, an outdated build or restricted account | Restart the simulator, verify the sign-in state, install required updates and review platform privacy or family settings. |
| The aircraft appears as a generic model | The other pilot's aircraft or livery is not installed locally | This is model substitution rather than a failed connection. Install compatible content if exact visual matching matters. |
| The session repeatedly disconnects | Unstable connection, firewall interference, service interruption or restrictive NAT | Use a wired connection where practical, allow the simulator through the firewall and work through the deeper causes of repeated multiplayer disconnects. |
For built-in MSFS multiplayer, do not begin by forwarding random router ports. First verify the account, server and in-simulator settings because MSFS uses its online service rather than a conventional player-hosted direct-IP session.
Do I need an online fix for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
No legitimate online fix is required to use Microsoft Flight Simulator multiplayer. A properly licensed, updated installation connects through the simulator's normal account and online services.
Avoid unofficial packages that replace executable or network files. They can introduce malware, break updates, trigger account action and make genuine connection faults harder to diagnose. If multiplayer is unavailable, update the simulator and platform services, sign out and back in, check Online Functionality, then review privacy and cross-network permissions.
Why does a direct-IP multiplayer flight fail?
A remote direct-IP connection fails when the host's computer cannot be reached from the internet. An address beginning with a private range such as 192.168. is usable only by devices on the same local network; an internet guest needs the host's public address and the simulator's correct port.
Allow the simulator through the operating-system firewall before changing router settings. Only the host normally needs an inbound forwarding rule. If the host is behind carrier-grade NAT, ordinary port forwarding may not work, so another pilot may need to host or the group must use a simulator with a relayed lobby service.
Do all multiplayer pilots need the same aircraft and add-ons?
Pilots flying separate aircraft usually do not need identical MSFS add-ons, but mission-based servers and shared-cockpit systems can impose stricter requirements.
- Aircraft: In ordinary MSFS multiplayer, each pilot can fly a different aeroplane. A user who lacks your aircraft model may see a generic substitute.
- Scenery: Custom scenery is normally local rather than transferred to other pilots. Mismatched airport layouts can place aircraft at different-looking stands or leave one pilot apparently parked inside a building.
- Liveries: Other pilots usually see a default paint scheme unless the same livery is installed and model matching recognises it.
- Mission terrain: A server in a mission-based simulator may require a specific map or terrain package before it allows a pilot to join.
- Server modifications: Install the exact required package and compatible version. Additional modifications may fail an integrity check.
- Shared cockpit: Both pilots generally need the same aircraft and add-on version, plus explicit multicrew or shared-control support.
How do I join multiplayer in FSX, X-Plane, DCS and other simulators?
Outside MSFS, multiplayer may use a server browser, external pilot client, LAN connection or direct address instead of a world-map friend group.
| Simulator | Joining method | Compatibility check |
|---|---|---|
| DCS | Select a session from the multiplayer server browser or connect to its address. | Match the required simulator build, terrain, mission modules and integrity rules. Owning an aircraft module may be necessary to occupy its cockpit slot. |
| X-Plane | Use its networking functions for supported local or direct connections, or install the client required by an organised online network. | Its built-in networking should not be mistaken for a universal public lobby. Confirm the network configuration and any required aircraft or scenery. |
| FlightGear | Enable multiplayer through the launcher, select the multiplayer service and connect using a callsign. | Use a unique callsign and ensure everyone is connected to the same service near the same coordinates. |
| FSX | The Steam and boxed editions use different lobby, LAN and direct-IP arrangements. | Older public directory services are no longer available in their original form. Follow our edition-specific FSX lobby, LAN and direct-IP instructions. |
| Prepar3D and FS2004 | Use the multiplayer, LAN or direct-connection functions provided by the installed edition. | Legacy public services may be unavailable, but a correctly configured LAN or privately hosted session can still work. |
Can two pilots share one cockpit?
Normal multiplayer gives each pilot a separate aircraft; sharing one cockpit requires explicit multicrew or shared-cockpit support from the simulator, aircraft or compatible add-on.
Both pilots should use matching aircraft versions and select different crew roles. Simply spawning the same aircraft at the same airport does not synchronise switches, flight controls or navigation systems. If controls fight each other or two aeroplanes appear, the pilots have joined ordinary multiplayer rather than a supported shared cockpit.
Does MSFS multiplayer include voice chat?
MSFS multiplayer does not provide a universal open voice channel that behaves like a live cockpit radio frequency. Platform party voice and organised-network communications are separate from merely seeing another aircraft in the simulator.
Agree on the communication method before departure, particularly for formation flights or controlled events. A pilot can be visible in multiplayer without hearing any of the other users nearby.