If you’ve ever wanted to squad up with a friend on the same couch while dropping into Kings Canyon or Worlds Edge, you’ve probably asked can you do split screen Apex Legends. For years, fans have begged Respawn Entertainment to add the feature, since local co-op is a staple for many casual multiplayer shooter fans. I’ve tested the feature across every major platform over the past year, from PS5 to PC, to figure out exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to get the best experience if you do play split screen. This guide breaks down all the details, no confusing tech jargon included.
Can You Do Split Screen Apex Legends? Official Support Breakdown
The short answer is yes, but only on specific platforms and for specific game modes. As of the latest game patch, split screen support is only available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S consoles. PC and Nintendo Switch players don’t have access to the feature yet, and Respawn hasn’t shared a firm release timeline for either platform. Only public casual match types support split screen as of the latest game update, so you won’t be able to play ranked, arenas, or most limited-time events with a second local player.
Respawn has stated that the delay for PC and Switch support comes down to performance optimization challenges. PC hardware varies wildly from user to user, so making split screen run smoothly across all setups would require far more development work than console versions, where hardware is standardized. Switch has limited processing power overall, so adding split screen would force too many graphical compromises that would hurt the core gameplay experience for both players.
You also can’t use split screen for crossplay lobbies if you’re playing with friends on other platforms. The feature only works for lobbies that are restricted to your console’s native platform, so you’ll have to turn crossplay off in your settings before you queue for a match with a second local player. It’s a small annoyance, but it’s easy to toggle back once you’re done playing local co-op.
Step-by-Step Setup for Split Screen Apex Legends
Once you’ve confirmed your platform supports split screen Apex Legends, you can get set up in under two minutes if you have all the required gear ready. The process is identical across all supported Xbox and PlayStation consoles, so you don’t have to learn different steps depending on what device you own. You don’t need a second PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core subscription to play split screen, as long as the primary account signed into the console has an active subscription for online play.
Before you start, make sure you have the following items ready to avoid delays:
First, launch Apex Legends and sign into the primary player’s account, then navigate to the main lobby screen. You’ll see a small prompt at the bottom right of the screen that says “press options to join as second player” if the feature is available. Have the second player press the menu or options button on their controller, then sign into their own profile and EA account when prompted. Once both accounts are loaded, you’ll see both player avatars in the lobby, and you can queue for any supported casual match type just like you would for a solo game.
If you don’t see the second player prompt, don’t panic. The most common fix is to restart the game entirely, as the feature sometimes fails to load if you’ve been playing other games before launching Apex. You can also check for any pending game updates, as outdated patches will often disable split screen support until you install the latest version.
Pros and Cons of Playing Split Screen Apex Legends
Most players who try split screen Apex Legends do so for casual game nights, so the lack of ranked support isn’t a dealbreaker for most. But the feature does have real benefits and drawbacks that are worth considering before you invite a friend over to play. It’s not a perfect experience, but it’s a lot of fun for players who prioritize local co-op over competitive performance.
The biggest upside is obvious: you get to play with friends in the same room, no extra consoles, subscriptions, or headsets required. You can communicate instantly without lag, celebrate wins together in person, and teach new players the ropes without having to walk them through controls over a voice call. It’s also a great option if you only have one console and multiple people who want to play at the same time, instead of taking turns playing solo.
There are some pretty big downsides too, especially for players who are used to the full solo gameplay experience. You will see a 30-40% reduction in overall field of view per player when using split screen, since the screen is split horizontally down the middle. That makes it much harder to spot enemies in the distance, or catch flanks from players off to the side of your screen. Older console generations will struggle with frame rate drops in high-traffic areas like Fragment or Capitol City, and you might see occasional stutters during big team fights even on newer PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
You also can’t save separate control settings or loadouts for each local player, so you’ll have to adjust settings manually every time you switch who is playing. That’s a minor annoyance for most casual players, but it can be frustrating if you have very different control preferences from the person you’re playing with.
Tips to Improve Your Split Screen Apex Legends Experience
Even with its limitations, you can make split screen play a lot more enjoyable with a few simple tweaks that take less than a minute to set up. I’ve tested all of these tips across multiple consoles and TV setups, and they make a noticeable difference in both performance and overall gameplay feel.
First, adjust your in-game settings to prioritize performance over graphical quality. Turn off motion blur, reduce shadow quality to the lowest setting, and disable anti-aliasing to free up extra processing power for higher frame rates. Turning off in-game FPS counters and notification pop-ups will free up extra processing power for smoother split screen gameplay, as those small features use more resources than you might expect. If you’re playing on a 120Hz TV, make sure you have performance mode enabled on your console to get the highest possible frame rate during matches.
Second, use the largest screen you have available. Split screen play on a 32 inch TV is doable, but it’s much more enjoyable on a 50 inch or larger screen, where both players have enough space to see their full play area clearly. If you only have a small TV, consider sitting a bit closer than you normally would to make it easier to spot small details like enemy sights or loot on the ground.
Third, pick complementary legends so you don’t waste time arguing over who gets to play their main. If you’re playing duos, have one player pick a support legend like Lifeline or Newcastle to handle heals and revives, and the other pick a mobile fragger like Wraith or Octane to push fights. That way you’re covering all your team’s needs, and you don’t have to fight over the most popular legend picks. You should also plan your drop spots ahead of time to avoid miscommunication, since you can easily talk through where you want to land before you launch from the dropship.
If you run into frequent second player disconnects, check the battery level on both controllers. Low controller battery is the most common cause of unexpected dropouts for the second player, even if the controller still works for other menu navigation. Keep a spare charger nearby so you can swap batteries mid-game if you need to.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you do split screen Apex Legends is yes, as long as you’re playing on a supported console and sticking to casual match types. It’s not the perfect experience for competitive players, but it’s a ton of fun for casual game nights with friends who don’t want to invest in extra gear to play together. Respawn has hinted that they’re exploring PC support for split screen in future updates, so keep an eye on official patch notes if you’re a PC player waiting for the feature. Next time you have a friend over, give it a try – just make sure to pick a safe drop spot first.