Join Codes (PS5)

Yes — every Big Walk session has a Join Code, and it works on PS5. The host sees the code in the bottom-left corner of the "Host Game" screen, or under Session Details in the in-game menu once the game starts. To join, pick Join Game on the main menu and type in the host's code. Codes work across platforms: a PS5 player can enter a PC host's code and vice versa. Note that online play on PS5 requires an active PlayStation Plus subscription.

Here is the full flow — finding your code, joining a friend, and every fix we know for codes that won't connect.

What Is a Big Walk Join Code?

A Join Code is a short code that identifies one game session. According to the official Big Walk FAQ, a new code is generated every time the host starts a session — so yesterday's code won't work; you always need the current one.

Why it matters on PS5: Big Walk has no matchmaking and no server browser. Aside from platform friend-list invites, the Join Code is the main way into someone's game — and for some players (see the Mac note below) it's essential. That's also why community threads like the r/BigWalk LFG megathread exist — players share live codes there to find groups.

One official exception worth knowing: per the FAQ, the Mac App Store version has no friends list, so those players rely on Join Codes to connect with others.

What the code looks like: in the LFG threads players share codes that are 6 digits, numbers only (e.g. 662868). The official FAQ doesn't state the format, so treat the length as a community observation rather than a rule — just type whatever code the host gives you.

How to Find Your Join Code on PS5

You are the host if you started the session — the code is yours to share.

Big Walk's "Host Game" screen. Your JOIN CODE sits in the bottom-left corner — this is the code you send to friends. (Screenshot: PC version via LagoFast; the menu is identical on PS5.)

Step by step:

1. Launch Big Walk and select Host Game.
2. On the "Who will be playing?" screen, pick your player count (2 / 3 / 4+ — this only sets which challenges load, it doesn't cap who can join) and press Play.
3. Read the code in the bottom-left corner of the Host Game screen, next to the "JOIN CODE" label.
4. Already in the game? Open the in-game menu → Session Details to see the same code, set a password, or check who's in.

Share it carefully. Anyone who has the code can join. The official FAQ recommends setting a password via Session Details if you want control over who gets in — and streamers should keep the code off-screen.

How to Join a Friend Using a Code

You have the host's code — here's what to do with it.

The Join Game screen: type the host's code into the entry field. If a platform friend is already hosting, their game can also appear under the friends list without any code. (Illustration via LagZapper.)

Step by step:

1. Launch Big Walk on PS5.
2. Confirm your voice settings when prompted.
3. On the main menu, select Join Game.
4. Type the host's code at the top of the screen — enter it exactly as given, with no extra spaces. Double-check lookalike digits before confirming.
5. Wait for the world to load. There's no lobby: you drop straight onto the island.

No code handy? If the host is on your PSN friends list (or Steam/Nintendo, for cross-platform friends), their active session can show up automatically in the "friends games" list on the same screen — pick it and join without typing anything.

Do you need PlayStation Plus? The PlayStation store page lists online play as a PS Plus benefit on PS5 — in practice every PS5 player in the session needs an active subscription. Big Walk was also a PS Plus Monthly game at launch, so several of your friends may already own it — see our PS Plus guide.

PS5 Troubleshooting

Can't find your Join Code

• The code appears once you've selected Host Game. It's in the bottom-left of that screen, then under Session Details in-game.
• Each new session generates a fresh code. If you restarted the game, your old code is gone — grab the new one.

The code doesn't work / friend can't join

Work down this list — it fixes the vast majority of cases:

1. Is the host fully in the game? The most common cause of failures: the host must have loaded into the world before the code will connect anyone.
2. Get a fresh code. Host closes the session → back to the main menu → starts the journey again → reshares the new code.
3. Match your game versions. The official FAQ requires the first two version numbers to match (e.g. both on 1.3.x). On PS5, check for updates manually — consoles don't always auto-patch immediately.
4. Check your network. "Connection to Host Timed Out" means your client couldn't reach the host's peer-to-peer session in time. Restart your router, prefer a wired connection, and pause large downloads. Several players on r/BigWalk fixed persistent failures by enabling UPnP on their router.
5. Check the system clock. The official FAQ notes that an inaccurate system clock can interfere with joining or hosting.
6. Full restart. Completely close Big Walk on both ends (on PS5: highlight the game → Options → Close Game, don't just suspend). A host who suspends the game can leave the session connection occupied, blocking rejoins.
7. Swap hosts. If one specific host always fails, have another player host instead.

PS5 ↔ PC: are codes cross-platform?

Yes. Join Codes are the platform-agnostic way to connect — a PS5 player can enter a PC host's code and vice versa, with Switch 2 included too. This is exactly how cross-play works in practice; we cover the full platform matrix in Big Walk Crossplay.

FAQ

What does a Big Walk join code look like? Community-shared codes in the r/BigWalk LFG threads are six digits, numbers only. The official FAQ doesn't specify a format, so just enter the code exactly as the host gives it to you.

Do join codes expire? Effectively, yes. A new code is generated every time the host starts a session, and the old one stops working when that session ends.

Can I join a PC friend's game from my PS5? Yes — type their code into Join Game. Codes work across PS5, PC (Steam/Mac), and Switch 2.

Can I play without PlayStation Plus? Online play on PS5 is listed as requiring PS Plus, so no — each PS5 player needs an active subscription.

Can I lock my session so strangers can't join? Yes — set a password under Session Details. The official FAQ recommends this, and suggests changing it after removing a player.

How many players can one code let in? Up to 12 players total in a session. See our max players guide for how groups of different sizes work.

Why can't I see my friend's game in the friends list? If they're hosting from the Mac App Store version, that build has no friends-list integration — ask them for a Join Code instead. Also check couch co-op vs online if you were hoping to play split-screen on one console — that's not supported.

Can I play solo while waiting for a code? Big Walk is built for 2–12 players; see can you play Big Walk solo for what happens alone.

Sources

• Official Big Walk FAQ — House House — join code generation, Session Details, passwords, Mac App Store limits, version matching, system-clock note
• PlayStation Store — Big Walk — PS Plus requirement for online play
• LagoFast — Fix "Connection to Host Timed Out" — Host Game screenshot, P2P/network fixes
• LagZapper — Big Walk Multiplayer Not Working — join screen illustration, 7-step fix list
• games.gg — How to Play With Friends — PS5 join steps, code location
• r/BigWalk — Looking for Group megathread — live code examples (6-digit observation), finding players
• r/BigWalk — Connection Issues — UPnP fix

RELATED BIG WALK TOPICS

These related pages complete the picture:

OTHER BIG WALK MULTIPLAYER TOPICS