There’s nothing better than settling in for a gaming session with a close friend, especially when you both love fast-paced, high-stakes battle royales. If you’re a fan of Respawn Entertainment’s hit title, you’ve almost certainly asked yourself can you play 2 player on Apex Legends at least once. Most players don’t want to get stuck queueing with randoms who ignore calls or steal your favorite weapon, so having a dedicated partner makes the whole experience way more enjoyable. This guide breaks down exactly what 2-player options are available, how to set them up, and what to avoid to keep your matches fun and successful.
Can You Play 2 Player on Apex Legends: Official Supported Modes
The short answer to this common question is yes, you can play 2 player on Apex Legends through official online game modes. The most popular and widely supported option is the permanent Duos mode, which lets you queue with one other partner against 29 other two-player teams in standard battle royale matches. You don’t need a premium subscription to play Duos, other than the platform-specific online membership required for console players, like PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core.
If you’ve been asking can you play 2 player on Apex Legends offline or via split screen, the answer is no for now. Respawn Entertainment has mentioned that split-screen is a feature they’ve explored, but they haven’t announced any concrete plans to roll it out to the public yet. Some third-party tools claim to enable split-screen play, but these are not authorized by Respawn, and using them can lead to account restrictions or bans.
You can also play 2 player in many rotating limited-time modes (LTMs) when they’re active. Modes like Control, Team Deathmatch, and Gun Run all let you queue with a single partner, though some larger team modes may require you to fill extra slots with random players if you only have one friend online. Ranked Duos is also available for players who want to climb the competitive ladder with a partner, instead of testing their luck with random teammates.
How to Set Up a 2 Player Apex Legends Match Online
Setting up a 2 player match is incredibly straightforward, even if you’re brand new to the game. The process is almost identical across all platforms, with only minor differences in how you access your friends list depending on if you’re playing on console or PC. Follow these simple steps to get your lobby ready in less than a minute:
Once your invite is accepted, your 2 player Apex Legends lobby is ready to go, and you can tweak legend picks or adjust your loadout before you queue. If you and your friend are playing on different platforms, make sure you have crossplay enabled in your settings first. Crossplay is turned on by default for most players, but if you’ve turned it off in the past, you’ll need to toggle it back on to see friends on other systems. Cross-progression is supported now, so if you switch from playing on PC to console, you won’t lose any of your skins, rank progress, or unlocked legends when you play with your friend.
You can also adjust your lobby privacy settings if you don’t want random players to join your 2 player party. Set the lobby to “Invite Only” to make sure no one else can join without you sending them a request first. If you’re playing ranked, make sure you and your partner are within one rank tier of each other, otherwise you won’t be able to queue together.
Pros and Cons of Playing 2 Player on Apex Legends
Playing with a dedicated 2 player partner is almost always more fun than queueing solo, but it’s not without its downsides, especially if you and your partner have very different play styles. I’ve been playing Duos with my best friend for three years, and I’ve experienced all the good and bad parts of sticking to a 2 player team first hand.
Some of the biggest pros of playing 2 player include better communication, more consistent team play, and faster progression. When you’re playing with someone you know, you don’t have to waste time explaining your play style or arguing about drop spots. You can easily coordinate pushes, call out enemy positions without being ignored, and split loot in a way that makes both of you as strong as possible. I’ve found that my win rate in Duos is almost 25% higher than when I queue solo, just because I know exactly how my partner plays. If you’re looking for a low-pressure way to practice new legends, 2 player Apex Legends unranked matches are the perfect option.
There are a few notable cons to keep in mind too, though. If you’re playing ranked 2 player, you can only queue with someone within 1 rank tier of you, so if you’re a Platinum player and your friend is still in Bronze, you won’t be able to play ranked Duos together. If one of you has a spotty internet connection, you both might get penalized if they disconnect mid-match, even if you’re still playing fine. You also might end up facing harder lobbies if your partner has a much higher MMR than you, which can lead to frustrating matches if you’re still learning the game.
At the end of the day, the pros far outweigh the cons for most players, especially if you and your partner are willing to compromise on play style and communicate openly. Even the occasional frustrating loss is more fun when you’re playing with someone you get along with, instead of a random stranger who yells at you for picking the wrong legend.
Important Rules to Follow for a Smooth 2 Player Apex Experience
To make sure your 2 player sessions stay fun and successful, there are a few simple rules you and your partner should follow, even if you’ve been playing together for years. These small habits can make a huge difference in how many matches you win, and how few arguments you have after a bad loss.
First, never steal loot that your partner clearly needs, especially if they main a legend that relies on specific items. For example, if your partner plays Gibraltar, don’t take all the golden shield batteries before they can grab any. If you find a weapon that you know they’re way better with, mark it for them instead of picking it up for yourself. You risk getting your account banned if you try to use third-party split-screen tools, so avoid those entirely even if you see other players talking about them online.
Second, always call out enemy positions clearly, and never rush into a fight without letting your partner know where you’re going. There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your partner run into a 1v3 fight without warning, then get knocked immediately because you weren’t there to back them up. If you want to push a team, say so first, and wait for your partner to confirm they’re ready before you move.
Third, don’t get mad at each other over bad matches. Even the best Apex players lose 80% of their matches on average, so you’re going to have bad runs no matter how good you and your partner are. Blaming each other for a bad call or a missed shot will only make the rest of your session less fun. You can play 2 player in most limited time modes too, so if you’re getting frustrated with standard battle royale, switch to a more casual LTM for a few matches to reset.
Finally, make sure you pick legends that complement each other. A team with Wraith and Lifeline works way better than two players who both pick recon legends with no healing or mobility options. You don’t have to stick to the same comp every match, but try to pick legends that cover each other’s weaknesses to give your team the best possible chance of winning.
At the end of the day, if you were asking can you play 2 player on Apex Legends, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of official ways to play with a friend, even if split-screen isn’t an option right now. Duos mode is one of the most popular game modes in Apex for a reason, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy the game without the stress of queueing with randoms. Follow the steps and tips we shared in this guide, and you’ll be winning matches with your partner in no time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different legend comps and play styles to find what works best for your team.