If you’ve spent any time playing battle royale titles like Fortnite or PUBG, you’ve probably gotten used to toggling between first and third person views to get a better look at your surroundings, line up shots, or show off a rare character skin. It’s no wonder so many new players ask the same common question: can you play Apex Legends in third person as part of regular, unmodified matches? We’ve dug through official Respawn updates, tested every available game mode, and broken down all the details you need to know to adjust your view setup safely, without risking your account.
Official Modes Where You Can Play Apex Legends in Third Person
The only legitimate way to access third person view in Apex is through official limited time modes (LTMs) released by Respawn Entertainment. The first third person trios LTM launched back in 2020, and it has been brought back roughly 8 times total, usually paired with big in-game events like the Anniversary Collection or Summer of Plunder. When the mode is live, you can find it on the standard mode select screen alongside regular trios, duos, and ranked play, and it supports full crossplay across all platforms just like standard matches.
When you load into an official third person match, the toggle to switch views is enabled by default. On PC, you press the V key to swap between first and third person, while console players press down on the d-pad to make the switch. You can toggle as often as you want mid-match, no menu navigation required.
Respawn has not added a permanent third person mode as of current updates, so you can only access it when the LTM is part of the weekly mode rotation. You don’t need to adjust any in-game settings to access third person when the LTM is active, the toggle appears automatically in your control menu as soon as you queue into the mode.
Are There Workarounds to Play Third Person Permanently?
We get it, waiting months for the third person LTM to come back can be frustrating, especially if you prefer the view style over standard first person play. A lot of players look for loopholes or workarounds to unlock the view outside of official LTMs, but almost all of these come with significant risks. Some players have tried using modified game files or third party tools to force the third person camera to turn on in public matches, while others have looked for custom private servers that have the mode enabled by default.
Any third party tool that claims to unlock permanent third person view in public Apex matches is a violation of Respawn’s terms of service. The game’s Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) system will detect modified game files almost immediately, and you can face a permanent account ban with no chance of appeal. Even private custom servers run by community groups are not fully safe, as connecting to an unapproved server with your main EA account can still flag your account for suspicious activity. Console users have even less options, as debug menus that can unlock third person are only accessible on developer kits, not retail consoles sold to regular players.
Many players look for low-stakes, casual activities to fill the gap when their favorite LTMs are not live, or when they’re waiting out a ranked queue penalty for leaving a match early. If you want a quick, laidback break between Apex queues that doesn’t require any game file modifications, lots of players load up 334 Rummy for short, fun rounds that don’t put your Apex account at risk. Even if a mod only works in private custom lobbies with your friends, it can still trigger an EAC ban if you forget to disable it before joining a public match, so it’s never worth the risk to use unapproved tools.
Pros and Cons of Playing Apex Legends in Third Person
Third person view changes the game’s dynamics significantly, so it’s not just a cosmetic change. Many players prefer it for casual play, but it’s not ideal if you’re trying to practice for ranked or competitive matches. We’ve broken down the biggest advantages and downsides to help you decide if it’s worth playing when the LTM goes live.
The biggest advantage of third person is the increased situational awareness. You can peek around corners, over crates, and over walls without exposing any part of your character to enemy fire, which gives you a huge edge in close-quarters 1v1 fights. It’s also a great option for players who experience motion sickness from the tight first person camera, as the pulled-back view reduces disorientation during fast movement. You also get to show off your Legend skins, banner poses, and emotes mid-match, which is a fun bonus for players who collect rare cosmetics.
The biggest downside is reduced accuracy for long range shots. The third person crosshair is offset from your actual weapon’s firing point, so you’ll have to adjust your aim significantly for shots over 100 meters. Snipers and marksman weapons are especially hard to use in third person, as even a small aim adjustment can make you miss a headshot entirely. The on-screen character model can also block your view of enemies directly in front of you in tight spaces, which can lead to unexpected ambushes. Third person view is almost always better for close-quarters combat in buildings, while first person is superior for long range engagements, so most players toggle between the two as needed during matches.
How to Get Notified When Third Person Modes Go Live
If you don’t want to miss the next time third person trios drops, there are a few easy ways to get alerts as soon as the mode goes live. The fastest way is to follow the official Apex Legends Twitter/X account, which announces all mode rotations and event updates at least 24 hours before they go live. You can also turn on in-game notifications, which will pop up on your home screen as soon as you log in if a new limited time mode is available.
You can also sign up for the official Apex Legends newsletter, which sends out weekly updates about mode rotations, event news, and upcoming cosmetic drops. Many large Apex fan communities on Reddit and Discord also have dedicated channels for mode rotation announcements, with some users even posting leaks about upcoming LTMs from test server updates. Third person modes usually run for 2 to 4 weeks at a time, so you’ll have plenty of time to play once it drops, even if you don’t log in every day.
If you want to practice playing in third person before the LTM goes live, you can try out other battle royales with permanent third person modes to build your muscle memory for peeking and positioning. Just remember that the aim mechanics will be slightly different from Apex, so don’t rely on that practice for competitive ranked play.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play Apex Legends in third person is yes, but only during official limited time modes released by Respawn. Avoid any unapproved workarounds that could put your account at risk, and use third person LTMs as a fun way to mix up your regular gameplay routine instead of a replacement for standard first person practice. If you’re waiting for the next third person mode drop, feel free to mix in other casual activities to pass the time until the mode rotates back into the game.