X-Plane Mobile does not offer built-in multiplayer. See what that means for flying with friends, online ATC, cross-play and desktop X-Plane.
No. X-Plane Mobile does not provide built-in multiplayer, so two mobile pilots cannot join the same flight, share a cockpit or see one another in a live session. Its internet-dependent features should not be mistaken for multiplayer; the mobile app is primarily a single-player simulator.
Can you fly with friends in X-Plane Mobile?
You cannot fly alongside a friend inside X-Plane Mobile. The app has no private room, direct-IP or local-network flight mode, and connecting two devices to the same Wi-Fi network does not create a shared session.
There is also no cross-play between X-Plane Mobile and the desktop editions. A pilot using the mobile app cannot join an X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12 multiplayer flight, and mobile devices cannot be used as shared-cockpit clients.
Which online features are not multiplayer?
Aircraft or scenery downloads, account checks and other connected services may require internet access, but they do not place other human pilots in your flight. Any computer-controlled traffic you encounter is not live multiplayer traffic.
X-Plane Mobile also lacks an integrated human-controller network comparable to the online ATC systems available on some other platforms. Paying for aircraft, scenery or subscription content does not unlock multiplayer.
Why do X-Plane multiplayer guides cause confusion?
X-Plane Mobile and desktop X-Plane are separate products with different networking capabilities. Many search results simply say “X-Plane multiplayer” when their instructions apply only to the desktop simulator.
| Capability | X-Plane Mobile | X-Plane 12 on desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Fly with another pilot | No | Yes, with network configuration |
| Public online flying networks | No supported mobile client | Available through compatible client software |
| Shared cockpit | No | Requires a compatible aircraft and additional setup |
| Mobile-to-desktop cross-play | No | No |
For the desktop procedure, use our X-Plane 12 multiplayer setup guide. Those menus and networking steps are not present in X-Plane Mobile.
Which mobile simulator should you choose for multiplayer?
If flying with other people is essential, choose a mobile simulator that explicitly provides a shared online world. Check whether friend flights, live traffic and human ATC are included or restricted by a subscription, account level or participation rules.
- Choose X-Plane Mobile when realistic solo flying on a phone or tablet matters more than social features.
- Choose a shared-world mobile simulator when seeing other pilots and using online ATC are priorities. Our comparison of X-Plane and Infinite Flight explains the practical differences.
- Choose desktop X-Plane when you want configurable networking, online flying clients or more specialised multiplayer arrangements.
For a broader view of apps offering different combinations of multiplayer, aircraft and realism, see our mobile flight simulator comparison.