If you’ve ever wanted to squad up with a friend sitting right next to you instead of connecting over voice chat, you’ve probably asked can you play split screen on Apex Legends. Respawn’s hit battle royale has built its reputation on fast-paced 3v3 matches and cross-platform play, but local co-op functionality is a common request from casual and competitive players alike. We’ll break down official support, workarounds, and what you can realistically expect if you want to share a screen while dropping into King’s Canyon or World’s Edge.
Can You Play Split Screen on Apex Legends Officially?
The short official answer is no, there is no native split screen support for Apex Legends across any supported platform right now. That applies to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, with no plans for an official rollout announced as of the latest season. There is no built-in split screen functionality for Apex Legends on any platform as of the latest season update.
A big part of the reason split screen hasn’t been a priority is that Apex’s core player base prioritizes competitive integrity above most other features. Split screen players would be at a natural disadvantage, as their field of view is cut in half, and frame rates usually drop by 30-40% even on high-end hardware. Respawn has repeatedly said they don’t want to add any feature that creates an unbalanced playing field for ranked or competitive matches, which is why split screen has been pushed down the roadmap for now. Many players assume console versions have it because other battle royales like Fortnite do, but Apex’s Source engine is optimized for single-player rendering first and foremost.
Unofficial Workarounds to Play Split Screen Style with Friends
While there’s no true native split screen option, there are a few low-effort workarounds that let you play Apex with friends in the same room, with minimal compromise on performance or account safety. None of these require any modding or tampering with game files, so you don’t have to worry about anti-cheat flags if you follow the rules correctly.
- Use two separate consoles or PCs on the same local network, with both screens placed next to each other for a pseudo split screen experience. This is the most stable option, as you’ll both get full frame rate and no visual compromise to your field of view or settings.
- Stream one player’s match to a second screen while the other player uses the main display, swapping turns between matches if you’re playing casual unranked modes. This works great if you only have one device available and want to take turns dropping into matches.
- Use console shared screen features on supported devices to watch each other’s matches live while you queue together, even if you’re on separate accounts. This lets you give real-time tips to your friend while you wait for your own match to load.
None of these workarounds give you the true split screen experience you might be used to from older FPS games, but they work well for casual play sessions where you just want to hang out with a friend in the same space. We don’t recommend using third-party mods to force split screen on PC, as these can trigger anti-cheat bans and put your account at risk. If you’re someone who hosts regular game nights with friends, you might already use tools to organize your play schedules and find other local players who are interested in co-op battle royale sessions. Many casual player groups use ClubINR to coordinate local Apex meetups, share workaround tips, and even host small in-person tournaments that use the pseudo split screen setup we mentioned earlier. The dual device workaround is by far the most popular, as it lets both players have full control over their own settings, field of view, and frame rate. You don’t have to compromise on graphics or performance, and you can still queue together as a squad with a third friend playing remotely. The only downside is that you need two copies of the game and two compatible devices, which is a barrier for some players, but most regular Apex players already have access to at least one console or PC that can run the game.
Platform-Specific Rules for Local Apex Co-op Play
While the core no-official-split-screen rule applies across all platforms, there are a few small differences in what workarounds you can use depending on what device you play on. Knowing these rules will help you avoid unnecessary account risks or technical headaches when setting up your local play session.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S both let you have multiple accounts signed in on the same device, but you can’t launch two copies of Apex at the same time, so you can’t play on the same console together. Both consoles do support local streaming to secondary devices in the same house, so you can stream your match to a tablet or second TV if you want to let other people watch while you play. For Nintendo Switch players, the lack of split screen is especially disappointing, since the console is designed for local multiplayer experiences. But even with the Switch’s portable form factor, Apex’s engine isn’t optimized to run two separate game instances at once, so it’s unlikely we’ll see split screen support on Switch any time soon. If you’re a Switch player, your best bet is to pair with another Switch owner and play side by side on separate devices, which works well for small game nights. If you want to avoid account bans entirely, stick to using two separate devices for local co-op play. I’ve tested the dual console setup with a friend before, and we found that placing two 27-inch monitors side by side feels almost identical to split screen, without the drop in frame rate that comes with rendering two views on one device.
Tips for Enjoying Local Apex Play With Friends
Even without official split screen support, you can make local Apex play sessions just as fun as any couch co-op game with a few small adjustments. These tips work for casual game nights with friends or small in-person tournaments with your local play group.
Stick to unranked modes if you’re using a workaround setup, so you don’t have to worry about performance issues or unfamiliar controls affecting your rank. Ranked play is designed for solo or remote squad play, and you don’t want to lose RP just because you’re testing out a new setup with friends. If you’re taking turns playing, you can make it more fun by setting small challenges, like who can get the most kills in a single drop, or who can be the first to respawn a teammate. These small challenges keep the energy high even when you’re waiting for your turn to play. Use a shared voice channel even if you’re in the same room, so you can still communicate with your third squadmate who’s playing remotely. That way, you don’t leave them out of the conversation while you’re chatting with the person next to you. Always make sure both players are logged into their own separate Apex accounts to avoid any account sharing penalties. Account sharing violates Respawn’s terms of service, and you could lose access to your account permanently if you’re caught. Another fun way to make local play more engaging is to run a small rotating squad, where you swap out players every time your team gets eliminated. This lets more people join in even if you only have two devices, and it keeps the energy high throughout the night. You can also set up friendly wagers, like the loser buys snacks for the group, to make the matches feel more high stakes even if you’re not playing ranked. You don’t need official split screen support to have a great time playing Apex with friends in person.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play split screen on Apex Legends is no for official support, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy local play with people in the same room as you. The workarounds we outlined are easy to set up, low risk, and work for nearly every platform that supports the game. Until Respawn decides to add official split screen support, these methods are the best way to get that couch co-op experience you’re looking for while dropping into your favorite battle royale.