If you’ve ever wanted to squad up with a friend right next to you instead of chatting over a discord call, you’ve probably asked can you play split screen Apex Legends. Respawn Entertainment’s fast-paced battle royale has built a massive global following thanks to its tight gunplay, unique character abilities, and chaotic squad matches, but many long-time fans still don’t know what local co-op options are actually available. I’ve spent dozens of hours testing different setups across consoles and PC to figure out exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how you can get the closest possible split screen experience if native support isn’t on the table right now.
Can You Play Split Screen Apex Legends Natively?
Right out of the box, no, there is no native split screen support for Apex Legends on any platform, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Respawn has repeatedly stated that the team’s priority is maintaining smooth crossplay performance across all devices, and adding split screen would require rendering two separate match feeds at once, which would put unnecessary strain on console hardware and server stability. The game’s core 3-player squad dynamic also makes split screen less practical than it is for 2-player focused co-op games, as you’d still need a third remote player to fill out your squad for most match types. I’ve dug through every official patch note and developer AMA over the last three years, and the closest we’ve gotten to a confirmation of future support is a 2022 comment that the team “has no active plans” but would revisit the idea if community demand stays consistent.
Workarounds to Get a Split Screen-Like Apex Legends Experience
If you’re dead set on figuring out can you play split screen Apex Legends without waiting for official support, these workarounds are your best bet. I tested all of these setups in both casual battle royale and mixtape modes to see which ones work reliably for regular play, and all of them are accessible for most players with standard gaming hardware.
- Console shared screen via streaming apps: On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, you can use the built-in share play feature to let a second player on the same local network join your match via a separate controller, with the feed split or mirrored on your TV. Note that this only works if both players have an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live subscription, and you’ll experience minor input lag of around 10-15ms on the second player’s end, which won’t impact casual play but will be noticeable if you’re used to high-level competitive matches.
- Dual PC setup with a split monitor: If you have two gaming PCs and an ultrawide monitor that supports dual input, you can run a separate copy of Apex Legends on each PC, assign each feed to half the screen, and squad up together in the same match. This is the most seamless option, with zero input lag or frame rate drops, but it does require two copies of the game and two separate EA accounts to work.
- Custom local server mod (PC only): Experienced modders can run a private local Apex Legends server to connect two players on the same network, then use third-party screen splitting software to divide your display between both feeds. This option is explicitly against Respawn’s terms of service for public matches, so only use this if you’re playing private custom games with friends and don’t mind risking a temporary account ban if Respawn detects the mod.
The console share play workaround was by far the most accessible for casual players in my testing. My roommate and I set it up on our Xbox Series X in less than two minutes, and we didn’t notice enough lag to impact our performance in casual trios matches. The dual PC setup is obviously better if you have the extra gear, but it’s not realistic for most players who only have one console or PC in their living room.
Key Limitations to Watch for With Split Screen Alternatives
None of these workarounds are perfect, and there are a few important downsides you should know about before you spend time setting anything up. First, you can’t play ranked matches with most workarounds. Console share play features automatically disable ranked play to prevent cheating, so you’ll only be able to join casual trios, duos, or mixtape modes when playing with a second local player. Second, frame rate drops are common on older consoles. If you’re playing on a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, share play will drop your frame rate to 30 FPS for both players, which can make fast-paced close-quarters fights feel unresponsive. I tried this on my old PS4 Slim last year, and we struggled to track enemies during fights because the frame rate stuttered so badly whenever there were multiple particle effects on screen. Third, you both need separate game accounts. No matter which workaround you use, you can’t use the same Apex Legends account for both players, so make sure the second player has their own profile set up on your console or PC before you try to queue up. Fourth, crossplay won’t work with some local setups. If you’re using a modded local server, you won’t be able to join matches with players outside of your local network, so you’ll be limited to playing only with people in your home.
Tips to Make Local Co-op Apex Legends More Fun
Even if you can’t get a perfect native split screen setup, there are small tweaks you can make to improve your experience and have more fun playing with friends in the same room. First, stick to mixtape modes for casual play. Mixtape modes like Control, Team Deathmatch, and Gun Run are shorter and less high-stakes than battle royale matches, so minor input lag or frame rate drops won’t ruin your fun nearly as much. My roommate and I play Control for hours every weekend using the Xbox share play feature, and we barely notice the lag when we’re just messing around and trying out new weapons. Second, adjust your controller settings for the second player before you queue up. Most players have very different sensitivity preferences, so take a minute to let the second player tweak their look sensitivity, button layout, and aim assist settings before you jump into a match. Third, use a separate headset for each player if you can. If you’re both playing on the same TV, audio feedback like enemy footstep cues and ability activation sounds can get muddled together, so having separate headsets will make it much easier for both of you to track where enemies are coming from. Fourth, don’t take matches too seriously. Local co-op is supposed to be a low-pressure, fun experience, so don’t get frustrated if you lose a few matches because of minor lag or setup issues. The whole point is to hang out with a friend, not to climb the ranked ladder.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play split screen Apex Legends is no, there’s no official native support for the feature right now, but the available workarounds are more than good enough for most casual players who want to squad up with a friend in the same room. Respawn might add native split screen support in a future update if fan demand stays high, but for now, the tips and workarounds we covered will help you get the closest possible experience without waiting for an official patch. Next time you have a friend over and want to jump into some Apex matches, give the console share play trick a try first—it’s easy to set up, and you’ll be having fun in minutes.