How to Play the NYT Crossplay Game? All about the New Multiplayer App and Rules

The New York Times has just redefined our morning routine with the launch of NYT Crossplay, a high-stakes, multiplayer word game that is already taking the internet by storm.

For years, puzzle fans have gone to the NYT site to play games by themselves, like The Mini and Strands. But Crossplay is a shift toward social gaming. 

The game came out in late January 2026 and quickly became one of the most popular apps in the App Store as people looked for ways to test their vocabulary against real people. 

Whether you are a Scrabble veteran or a Wordle enthusiast looking for more interaction, understanding how to play NYT Crossplay is your first step toward dominating the leaderboard.

What is the NYT Crossplay Game Launched by the NY Times?

Unlike previous releases that sit within the main NYT news app, Crossplay is a standalone application designed for real-time competition. Zoe Bell, Executive Producer of Games at The New York Times, describes it as a "two-player word game designed for social play."

The main difference is in how they are set up. Wordle gives you six chances to find one word, while Crossplay is a never-ending battle where you and your opponent build off each other's words on a shared grid. 

It adds a Matchmaking feature that matches you with players of similar skill levels. The fun part? You can also invite up to 100 friends to join your private leaderboard.

🕹️ Something interesting is happening with NYT Games.

Crossplay soft-launched for ~8 months, ~228K installs.
Then it goes live for all and adds ~186K in a day.
Now it's the No. 1 free app on iOS.

Feels like brand gravity has kicked in.
This could be a gateway, not just a game. pic.twitter.com/Low8dBJKwt

— Appfigures (@appfigures) January 22, 2026

How to play NYT Crossplay? 

It's easy to get started, but you need to plan ahead to win the game. To get going with NYT Crossplay, do the following:

1. Download the App: Visit the iOS or Google Play Store to download the dedicated "NYT Crossplay" app.

2. Start the Board: If you take the first turn, your word must touch the center tile. Subsequent words must connect to existing tiles.

3. Scoring: Each letter carries a specific point value. You must aim for bonus squares like 2L (Double Letter) or 3W (Triple Word) to improve your score.

4. The End Game: Once the tile bag is empty, each player gets one final turn to maximize their points before the winner is declared.

Also Read - NYT Game Launches Pips: Can This New Logic Game Rival the Wordle & Connections Mania?

Can You Play NYT Crossplay on a Desktop or Browser?

As of now, the New York Times has opted for an app-first strategy. Currently, NYT Crossplay is not available to play on desktop browsers or via the standard NYT Games website. 

This move encourages a more mobile-first social experience, allowing for push notifications when an opponent makes a move.

According to official developer notes, the focus remains on the mobile app to support the in-game chat and real-time multiplayer features. However, fans are hopeful for a web version in the future, similar to how Connections and Wordle eventually integrated across all platforms.

Check Out - NYT Connections Hints Today

How Many Games Can You Play at Once in Crossplay?

One of the most exciting features for word nerds is the ability to multitask. Crossplay lets you have up to 30 active games going on at the same time, unlike Wordle, which only lets you have one game going at a time. This includes games against:

1. Random Opponents: Assigned via the matchmaking algorithm.

2. Friends and Family: Invited via your contact list or username.

3. The Computer: A Practice Mode, where you can hone your skills against AI.

Did You Check - NYT Wordle #1685 Hints and Answer Today? 

With the release of NYT Crossplay, the New York Times Games puzzle suite has entered a new era, going from being played alone to being played with others. The game will be a permanent part of the global gaming community after more than 2 million people signed up before it came out on January 21. Get your tiles and start your first game today!