This article covers cooperative play and progression in Halo: Campaign Evolved.
OVERVIEW
Campaign can be played cooperatively with up to 4 players online across PC, XBOX Series X|S, and PlayStation®5, with support for cross‑play and cross‑progression through a linked Microsoft account.
2-player split-screen is also available on XBOX Series X|S and PlayStation®5 consoles.
Split-Screen Co-Op Setup
Halo: Campaign Evolved supports 2-player split-screen co-op on consoles, allowing players to complete the campaign together on a single system.
To start a split-screen co-op session:
Launch the game with 1 or 2 players signed in on the console.
Using Player 1’s controller, navigate to the Main Menu.
If a second controller is not yet connected, connect it now. Otherwise, the Player 2 Join option will not appear.
On the Main Menu, have Player 2 press the A button (XBOX) or Cross button (PlayStation®) on their controller.
If no profile is signed in on the second controller, you will be prompted to select a profile and sign in.
For PlayStation®split-screen, Player 2’s PlayStation™Network account must already be linked to a Microsoft account before signing in for split-screen.
Once signed in, Player 2 will be added to the Fireteam.
Player 2 can press the Menu button on an XBOX controller, or the Options button on a PlayStation®controller, to access a limited set of settings. Player 2 can adjust controls, accessibility settings, and more, but cannot change certain options such as Graphics Mode.
Player 2 will not be able to access or change their armor or weapon customization. If Player 2 wants to update their customization, they must sign in on the console as the primary player and update their customization beforehand.
ADDING FRIENDS
There are 2 friend lists in Halo: Campaign Evolved: Platform and Cross-Platform. You can use either list to start a co-op session.
Platform Friends
Platform friends are players on the same platform, connected through their native friend system.
This applies when:
XBOX players are friends through the XBOX network.
PlayStation®players are friends through PlayStation™Network.
Steam players are friends through the Steam friend system.
Microsoft Store players are friends through the XBOX network.
Cross-platform Friends
To connect for cross-platform play, the participating Gamertags must be friends on the XBOX network.
When playing across platforms, or when players on the same platform are connected using XBOX Gamertags instead of the platform’s native friend system, they will appear in the cross-platform friends tabs.
There are multiple ways to add a cross-platform friend:
From the app’s main page, tap Sign up or Sign in at the bottom.
The app may request device permissions during sign-in. Allow these permissions to continue.
Enter the same Microsoft account email address you linked to your game, then tap Next.
Follow the prompts to complete authentication based on your account settings.
If you cannot use the primary authentication method, tap Other Ways to Sign in and select an alternative option.
Tap Let’s Go at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the search field at the top of the app.
Enter the XBOX Gamertag of the friend you want to add.
Searching for PlayStation®or Steam usernames is not supported.
You may need to select the People category for profiles to appear.
You may need to include a 4-digit gamertag suffix (for example, #1234) for the exact account to appear.
Select your friend’s Gamertag.
Tap Add Friend.
XBOX Game Bar
Players with access to a Windows PC can also use XBOX Game Bar to add friends across platforms.
Press Windows key + G on your keyboard or press the Guide button on your XBOX controller.
Select the XBOX Social widget.
If it does not open automatically, select the two-person icon at the top center toolbar.
Select the Search for People field.
Enter the Gamertag of the player you want to add.
You may need to include a 4-digit gamertag suffix (for example, #1234) to find the correct account.
Select the Add Friend icon.
XBOX.com
Click Sign in in the top-right corner.
Enter the same Microsoft account email address linked to your game, then select Next.
Follow the prompts to complete authentication based on your account settings.
If you cannot use your primary sign-in method, select Other ways to sign in and choose an alternative option.
Select your Gamertag in the top-right corner and select XBOX Profile.
Select the magnifying glass in the top-right corner, then enter the Gamertag you want to add.
In the top-left area of the page, you will see the Games and People tabs. Select People to view player results.
Select the profile of the player you want to add.
Select Add friend.
Accepting a Friend Request
The recipient will receive your request in their notifications, accessible from the bell icon in the top-right corner of the XBOX app or XBOX Social widget in Game Bar.
If your friend is having trouble receiving or accepting your request, have them follow any of the flows above to add you back.
Inviting Friends & Joining Games
After friending the players you want to play with, the friends tab they appear in determines how invitations are sent and received, as well as how you join other players. This will vary depending on the selected tab and each player’s platform.
Platform Friends
Inviting a Friend
To invite a platform player:
From the main menu, select Play Co-Op, or press the View button (XBOX), touchpad (PlayStation®), or Tab (keyboard) to open the Friends menu.
In the Platform friends list, scroll to the name of the person you want to invite.
Select the invite button to the left of their name.
Receiving an Invite
When you receive a platform-based invitation, it will appear differently depending on your platform:
XBOX: Appears as an XBOX console invite. Hold the Guide button to accept.
PlayStation®: Appears as a PlayStation®console invite. Press the PS button and select JOIN to accept.
Steam: Appears as a Steam invite. Press and hold Shift + Tab on keyboard to open the invitation using the Steam overlay.
Microsoft Store: Appears as a Game Bar invite. Press Windows + G on your keyboard to open Game Bar, and click the notification in your XBOX Social widget to accept.
Cross-Platform Friends
Inviting a Friend
To invite a cross-platform player:
From the main menu, select Play Co-Op, or press the View button (XBOX), touchpad (PlayStation®), or Tab (keyboard) to open the Friends menu.
Navigate over to the Cross-platform tab.
Scroll to the name of the person you want to invite.
Select the invite button to the left of their name.
Receiving an Invite
When you receive a cross-platform invitation, it appears differently depending on your platform:
XBOX: You will receive an XBOX console invite. Press the Guide button to accept.
PlayStation®: The invite appears in the in-game UI. Press L3 to accept.
Steam: The invite appears in the in-game UI. Press the Z key to accept.
Microsoft Store: You will receive a notification through Game Bar. Press Windows + G keys to open.
Players must be on the main menu to receive and accept in-game invites on PlayStation®and Steam.
Direct Joining
You can join a platform or cross-platform friend who is on the main menu by following these steps:
From the main menu, press the View button (XBOX), touchpad (PlayStation®), or the Tab (keyboard) to open the Friends menu.
Scroll to the player’s name you would like to join.
Select the name to open their profile menu.
Choose Join.
You may be unable to join if the lobby is full, or if the Fireteam leader has restricted lobby privacy.
To adjust fireteam privacy settings:
Open the Settings menu using the Menu button (XBOX controller), Options button (PlayStation®controller), or F1 (Keyboard).
Select Account.
Select Fireteam Settings.
Select Friends Can Join to allow anyone on your friends list to join your session.
Select Invite Only to limit joining to only players you invite.
Progression
Cross-progression
When you sign in using a linked Microsoft account, your campaign progress, collectibles, and Achievements in Halo: Campaign Evolved sync across all supported platforms.
Progress That Carries Across Platforms
The following campaign data is synchronized across platforms:
Mission and Rally Point unlocks
Skulls
Terminals
Achievements
Progress That Does Not Carry Across Platforms
The following campaign data does not synchronize across platforms:
Mid‑mission checkpoints
Exact player position
This means that while larger rally points and mission completions will sync across platforms, smaller checkpoints—such as clearing a wave of enemies or traversing to the next checkpoint—will not be available on other platforms.
Co-op progression
Co‑op progression uses a shared system that permanently grants unlocks, including missions and rally points, Skulls, and Terminals, to all players in the fireteam as they play.
Examples:
Completing mission 5 unlocks access to mission 5 for all Fireteam members, but does not unlock missions 1 through 4.
If a player rediscovers a Skull or terminal they have already unlocked, it will be granted to any Fireteam members in the session who have not yet discovered it.
HOSTING
Campaign Co‑op sessions use the Fireteam Leader’s campaign progress to determine which missions and Skulls are available to the Fireteam during play. This means that when you join a co‑op session:
Joining a Fireteam Leader who has already completed the campaign does not limit their access to unlocks and may allow you to play missions you have not yet reached, or enable skulls you have not yet discovered.
Joining a Fireteam Leader who is earlier in the campaign will limit access to missions and Skull availability to what that Fireteam Leader has currently unlocked, regardless of your own progression.
TROUBLESHOOTING & FAQ
Can I play Halo: Campaign Evolved offline?
Yes. You can play offline while solo or with another player using local split-screen.
For Steam and PlayStation®, you must use an internet connection to perform the initial account linking process. After the initial link is complete, offline play will work as intended.
I just added my friend. Why don't I see them in-game?
Your friend may not yet have accepted the friend request, and they will not appear in your friends list until it is accepted.
If the request has been accepted and they are still not visible under your platform or cross-platform friends list, close and reopen the friends menu. If the issue persists, restart the game and check again.
Who can see my customization?
All players can see your customization. You can view it in first-person on your character’s arms and legs during gameplay, and on your full body when playing in third-person, such as when using turrets or driving vehicles.
If you have the Perspective skull turned on, your camera will always be in third-person, allowing you to always see your full customization during gameplay.
I am not receiving Game Bar invitations on PC. What should I do?
Game Bar functionality depends on several PC system factors outside of the game.
To help ensure invitations are received, open the XBOX Game Bar by pressing Windows + G on your keyboard, then have your friend send the invitation while the Game Bar is open.
Why can’t I play with others or join co-op sessions?
Your account privacy settings may be preventing you from playing with others.
Check your platform or Microsoft account privacy settings to ensure that multiplayer, cross-platform multiplayer, and online interactions are allowed. For additional privacy and safety resources, read our Halo: Campaign Evolved Safety Features Guide.
Issues may also be caused by the Cross-play in-game setting being toggled off. To check your cross-play setting status:
Open the Settings menu using the Menu button (XBOX controller), Options button (PlayStation®controller), or F1 (Keyboard).
Select Account.
Under the Account section at the top, ensure Cross-play is toggled on.
Does split-screen co-op require XBOX Game Pass or PlayStation®Plus?
No XBOX Game Pass or PlayStation®Plus subscription is required to play 2-player console split-screen.
However, if a split-screen session joins or invites other players to create a 3 or 4-player network co-op Fireteam across multiple consoles and/or PCs, additional requirements apply. In these cases, one or both players may need an XBOX Game Pass or PlayStation®Plus subscription, depending on factors such as home console sharing, the subscription status of the account signed in on the console operating system (OS), and more.
Can guest accounts be used for split-screen co-op?
Guest accounts are not supported. Both players must be signed in with an XBOX account, or PlayStation™Network account, on their respective console.
What happens if the Fireteam Leader leaves or disconnects?
If the Fireteam Leader leaves or disconnects, the session will end and all players will return to the main menu.
To start a new co-op session, the previous Fireteam Leader or another player will need to invite players to the session.
How can I improve my Fireteam’s networking experience?
While each player’s connectivity depends on their own internet connection, overall networking quality in co-op play is determined by the Fireteam Leader’s connection. For the best results, have the player with the fastest and most stable connection host the session.
Can I play split-screen on PC?
Split-screen co-op is not supported on PC for Halo: Campaign Evolved.