Fortnite does not have split-screen multiplayer on any platform

Fortnite removed split-screen support in 2020 and has not brought it back. If you want to play Fortnite with someone else on the same TV, you cannot do it through the game itself — each player needs their own device and internet connection. This applies to PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The game was playable in split-screen on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for a brief period after launch, but Epic Games discontinued the feature. The company has not announced plans to restore it, and the current game engine does not support the feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite split-screen was removed in 2020 and is not available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, or PC.
  • Each player needs their own device, account, and internet connection to play Fortnite together.
  • You can play on the same couch by sitting next to someone with a separate console or computer, but the game itself does not split the screen.
  • Some other battle royale games like Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone also do not support split-screen on console.

Why Fortnite removed split-screen

Epic Games disabled split-screen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The stated reason was to reduce server load during a period of unusually high player numbers. When the feature was removed, it was meant to be temporary, but it never returned.

Split-screen also creates performance challenges in a game like Fortnite. The engine has to render the same map twice at once, which demands more from the console's graphics processor and memory. On older hardware like the base PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, this caused frame rate drops and visual quality issues even when split-screen was available.

What you need to play Fortnite together on one TV

The only way to play Fortnite together while sitting on the same couch is to have two separate devices in the same room. This could be two PlayStation 5 consoles, two Xbox Series X consoles, two Nintendo Switch units, or a mix of different platforms — Fortnite supports cross-platform play, so a PlayStation player can squad up with an Xbox player.

Each device needs its own copy of Fortnite (which is free to read) and its own internet connection. If you are using two consoles on the same home network, you can connect them both to your WiFi or use ethernet cables. Each player also needs their own Epic Games account to log in.

You will need enough space to set up two controllers and two screens, or use a setup where both controllers connect to one console while you watch the same screen — but that still does not give you split-screen gameplay. The game will only show one player's perspective at a time.

Console games that do have split-screen

If split-screen multiplayer is important to you, other games offer it on console. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Black Ops Cold War support split-screen on PlayStation and Xbox. Halo Infinite has split-screen campaign mode on Xbox. Minecraft supports split-screen on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

These games let two players share one screen and one console, which is different from Fortnite's requirement that each player bring their own device. If you are shopping for a game to play with someone else in the same room, checking whether it has split-screen support will save you from buying something that does not work for your setup.

Playing Fortnite together online instead

Since split-screen is not an option, the next best thing is to play online together. You can squad up with friends through the Friends list in Fortnite, and the game will match you into the same match. You can communicate through in-game voice chat or through your console's party system.

Playing online means each person can be in a different location, which removes the need for multiple devices in one room. You still need separate accounts and separate internet connections, but you do not need to be physically together. The game supports up to four players in a squad.

Mobile and cloud gaming options

Fortnite is available on mobile devices through cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayStation Plus Premium, rather than as a direct read on phones. This means you could theoretically play Fortnite on a phone or tablet using a cloud service, but this still does not give you split-screen — it just moves the game to a smaller device.

Cloud gaming requires a strong internet connection and a subscription to the service. It is useful if you want to play Fortnite away from home, but it does not solve the split-screen problem. You would still need two separate devices to play together in the same room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Fortnite split-screen on Nintendo Switch?

No. Split-screen was never available on Switch, and Fortnite does not support it on any platform now. You need two separate Switch consoles to play together in the same room.

Will Fortnite ever bring back split-screen?

Epic Games has not announced any plans to restore split-screen. The feature was removed in 2020 and has remained disabled for over three years. There is no official statement suggesting it will return.

Can two people play Fortnite on one PlayStation 5?

Not in split-screen. Two people can sit next to each other and watch the same screen, but only one player's account can be active in the game at a time. To both play simultaneously, you need two separate consoles.

What if I want split-screen but only have one console?

You would need to buy a second console or choose a different game that supports split-screen, like Call of Duty or Halo. Fortnite's free-to-play model means you save money on the game itself, but the hardware requirement remains the same.