If you’ve ever queued into trios with random teammates who leave mid-fight or keep running off into third-party ambushes, you’ve likely asked: can you play single player in Apex Legends. The battle royale giant was built around squad-based play, but that doesn’t mean you have to team up to enjoy everything the game has to offer. We’ve tested every possible solo play option available right now, from official limited-time modes to low-effort workarounds, to break down exactly what works and what doesn’t.
Official Single Player and Solo-Focused Modes in Apex Legends
Respawn hasn’t released a full standalone single player campaign as of now, though there have been consistent rumors of a story-driven single player release in the works. Even so, there are multiple official single player options you can access any time, no workarounds required. The most accessible single player option by far is the Firing Range, which lets you load in alone anytime, no queue required. You can test every weapon, legend ability, and attachment combo without any pressure from other players, and it’s the best place to warm up before jumping into public lobbies or practice recoil control for new guns. Respawn adds new training drills to the Firing Range regularly, including target tracking challenges and movement practice courses that feel like structured single player content on their own.
For short periods during seasonal events, Respawn also rolls out limited-time solo battle royale modes that let you drop into King’s Canyon, World’s Edge or other maps completely alone, no squadmates required. These modes have adjusted loot pools and damage values to balance for single player play, so you don’t have to worry about going up against full trios by yourself. They’re usually only available for 1-2 weeks at a time, so keep an eye on the in-game news tab to catch them when they go live. If you’re specifically looking for single player Apex Legends content that doesn’t involve any PvP combat, your best bet is to keep an eye out for seasonal story missions, which usually drop halfway through each season.
Select seasonal events also include short, story-driven single player missions that let you dive deeper into Apex Legends lore without facing other players. Past missions have let you play as specific legends to unlock backstory details, exclusive skins, and in-game rewards, and they’re fully playable from start to finish with no teammates needed.
Can You Play Single Player in Apex Legends Without Other Players?
If you’re looking to play alone even when no solo LTM is active, the most common workaround is to queue into public trios or duos lobbies with squad fill turned off. You’ll drop into the map completely alone, and you’ll be matched against full squads of 2 or 3 players, so it’s a much more challenging experience than the official solo LTMs. Many players use this option to practice 1vX fights or test how far they can get without relying on teammates, but it’s not a true single player mode since you’re still playing against other real people.
One common question we get is if you can play single player Apex Legends completely offline, and the answer is no. All game modes, even the Firing Range, require an active internet connection to log into your EA account and access game files. There are fan-made offline mods available, but we don’t recommend using them because they violate EA’s terms of service and carry a high permanent account ban risk. If you decide to play solo with fill turned off, keep these key limitations in mind:
- You won’t get any special matchmaking adjustments, so you’ll regularly face full coordinated squads with combined health and ability kits that far outmatch yours
- You won’t be able to revive or respawn any teammates, so one bad fight means you’re sent back to the lobby immediately
- You won’t qualify for squad-based challenges, so you’ll have to focus on individual daily or weekly challenges to earn battle pass XP
That said, many players prefer no-fill solo play over official squad modes, especially if they’re focused on improving their individual skills instead of winning matches. It’s a perfectly valid way to play, as long as you go in with realistic expectations about the difficulty level.
Pros and Cons of Playing Apex Legends Solo
Playing Apex Legends alone is way more fun than it sounds, especially if you’re tired of dealing with uncooperative random teammates. The biggest benefit is that you have full control over every decision: you can drop wherever you want, loot at your own pace, and choose to fight or run from engagements without having to coordinate with anyone else. It’s also the fastest way to improve your individual skills, because you can’t rely on a teammate to revive you or pick up your slack when you miss a shot. I’ve personally seen my win rate in trios jump 12% after playing a month of solo no-fill matches, because I got way better at positioning and 1v1 fights.
You’ll also find that solo play is far less stressful if you only have a short window of time to game. You don’t have to wait for teammates to log on, you can leave a match whenever you want without letting anyone down, and you don’t have to sit through arguments or toxic chat from randoms who are mad about a bad fight. It’s a great low-pressure way to enjoy the game when you don’t feel like being social.
That said, solo play isn’t for everyone. The biggest downside is that it’s significantly more difficult, especially if you’re a new player still learning the maps and legend abilities. You’ll get third-partied far more often when you’re alone, and you won’t have anyone to watch your back when you’re looting or recharging your shield. You’ll also miss out on a lot of the core fun of Apex Legends, which comes from pulling off coordinated plays with friends or meeting cool random teammates in lobbies.
Tips for a Smooth Single Player Apex Legends Experience
If you’re playing solo no-fill or in a solo LTM, your legend choice matters more than it does in squad play. Mobile legends with escape abilities like Wraith, Octane, or Horizon are the best picks for solo play, because they let you get out of bad fights fast when you don’t have teammates to back you up. Avoid slow, support-focused legends like Gibraltar or Newcastle, because they’re built to hold positions for squads and don’t have the mobility to survive alone against multiple enemies. If you’re playing for the first time, stick to Wraith first, since her tactical ability lets you avoid damage and reposition even when you’re caught off guard.
You’ll also want to adjust your looting priorities when playing alone. Grab shield cells and syringes first, before you worry about stocking up on ammo or attachments, because you won’t have a teammate to share heals with if you take damage. Always carry at least 6 shield cells and 4 syringes with you, and keep a gold shield or golden knockdown shield on you if you can find one, since they let you self-revive if you get knocked. Prioritize light or fast weapons like the R-99 or Flatline over heavy, slow weapons like the Kraber or Spitfire, since you’ll need to be able to move fast and take down enemies quickly.
It’s tempting to chase every fight you hear when you’re playing alone, but that’s the fastest way to get sent back to the lobby. Stick to the edge of the ring as much as possible, only take fights you’re 100% sure you can win, and avoid hot zones like Fragment or Capitol City unless you’re extremely confident in your skills. If you do get into a fight, finish it as fast as possible, then reposition immediately to avoid getting third-partied by other teams who heard the gunfire. Don’t be afraid to run from a fight if you’re outnumbered or outgunned—surviving to the end of the match is always better than taking a risky fight for extra loot.
Even if you’re a seasoned player, spend 5-10 minutes in the Firing Range before jumping into solo lobbies. Practice recoil control for your go-to weapons, test out any new legend abilities you’re not familiar with, and run through movement drills to get your reflexes warmed up. It’s a small step that will make a huge difference in how well you perform once you drop into a map. You can also use the Firing Range to test out new loadouts before you take them into public lobbies, so you don’t waste time looting for weapons you don’t actually know how to use.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play single player in Apex Legends depends on what you’re looking for. You won’t find a full, permanent single player campaign right now, but there are plenty of official and low-risk unofficial ways to enjoy the game alone, whether you want to practice your skills, grind for battle pass XP, or just avoid annoying random teammates. Stick to official modes whenever possible, adjust your playstyle to fit solo play, and you’ll have just as much fun playing alone as you do with a full squad.