There’s nothing better than grabbing a second controller and playing your favorite battle royale with a friend right next to you on the couch. If you’re a PS4 user who hosts regular game nights, you’ve probably wondered can you play split screen on Apex Legends PS4 at least once. I’ve run local Apex Legends meetups for my friend group for years, and I’ve tested every possible way to make local co-op work on PS4 hardware, so I’m breaking down everything you need to know in this guide.
Can You Play Split Screen on Apex Legends PS4 Natively?
The short, direct answer to this question is no. Native split screen support for Apex Legends PS4 is not available as of the latest season update. Respawn Entertainment has focused the majority of its development resources on cross-platform online play, esports features, and seasonal content drops for the past several years, with no public roadmap mentioning split screen support for older console hardware like the PS4.
There are a few practical reasons for this choice, too. The original PS4 and PS4 Slim have limited processing power, and running two separate instances of Apex Legends at once for split screen would require cutting visual quality so drastically that most players would find the experience unenjoyable. The studio also noted in a past community Q&A that split screen would require major overhauls to the game’s server architecture, which they don’t currently have plans to implement for console generations prior to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
That doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck if you want to play Apex with a friend in the same room, though. There are several tested workarounds that work reliably for casual play, even if they aren’t official split screen features.
Tested Workarounds for Local Co-Op Play on Apex Legends PS4
All of these workarounds have been tested by my group across original PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro models, so you can pick the one that fits your budget and available hardware. Always make sure both accounts have the latest version of Apex Legends installed before trying any of these setups to avoid unexpected crashes or compatibility errors.
The most reliable options are:
- Use PS4 Remote Play on a second screen paired with a separate controller. One player uses the main TV connected directly to the PS4, while the other plays on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone connected to the same local network via the PS Remote Play app. You’ll need a second controller paired to the secondary device for this setup.
- Host a private match with two separate PS4 consoles on the same local network. Each player logs into their own PSN account, joins the same private match, and you can set up both consoles next to each other or on separate TVs in the same room. This is the most lag-free option by far.
- Use a capture card setup with a split display. One player controls their legend via a controller connected directly to the PS4, while the other uses a keyboard and mouse mapped to the PS4 via third-party adapter, with both feeds displayed side-by-side on the same monitor via the capture card software.
Each of these has its own pros and cons, of course. The Remote Play method is the cheapest if you already have a second screen, but you might notice minor input lag if you’re using a Wi-Fi connection. The two-console setup has zero lag but requires two copies of the game and two PS Plus subscriptions. The capture card method is the closest to true split screen, but it takes a bit of technical know-how to set up correctly.
Common Issues With Local Apex Legends PS4 Co-Op Setups
Even if you follow the setup steps perfectly, you might run into a few small snags when you first test your local co-op setup. These are the most common issues I’ve run into, with simple fixes that work 9 times out of 10.
The most frequent complaint is input lag on the second player’s controller, especially when using Remote Play. This almost always comes from using a wireless Wi-Fi connection for either the PS4 or the secondary device. Switching both to a wired Ethernet connection eliminates almost all lag immediately. Both players need active PS Plus subscriptions to join shared private matches on separate consoles, so double check that both accounts have an active subscription if you’re getting a “failed to join” error when you try to load into a private match.
You might also notice performance drops or frame stutter if you’re using an original PS4 for Remote Play. This happens because the console is working overtime to run the game locally and stream it to a second device at the same time. Closing all other apps running in the background on your PS4 before starting your play session will free up extra processing power and cut down on stuttering almost entirely.
Settings Tweaks for the Smoothest Local Co-Op Experience
Making a few small adjustments to your PS4 system settings and in-game Apex Legends settings will make your local co-op play feel almost as polished as official split screen would. I make these changes every time I set up for a game night, and they cut down on issues drastically.
First, if you’re using the Remote Play method, go to your PS4 system settings, select Remote Play, and set the streaming resolution to 720p and frame rate to High. Lowering the resolution slightly reduces the amount of data the console needs to stream to the second device, which cuts lag significantly even on slower home networks. Turn off motion blur and shadow effects on both accounts from the in-game Apex Legends settings to boost frame rate, especially if you’re using an original PS4 or PS4 Slim.
If you’re using the two-console private match method, turn off cross-platform play from the in-game settings before you create the private match. This ensures the match is hosted on a local server rather than a public cross-platform server, which reduces latency for both players. Use wired Ethernet connections for all devices involved in the setup, including the PS4, any secondary screens, and second consoles, to eliminate almost all lag and connection drops. You should also map each player’s preferred controller layout before you start your match, so you don’t have to pause mid-game to adjust button mappings.
While official support isn’t available right now, the workarounds we covered make it easy to play with friends in the same room even if the answer to can you play split screen on Apex Legends PS4 is no for native features. For casual game nights, all of these methods work perfectly well, and the settings tweaks we shared will make the experience feel smooth and polished for both players. If Respawn ever announces official split screen support for PS4, we’ll update this guide immediately with all the details on how to enable it and what settings to use for the best experience.