Phasmophobia does not have split screen on any platform

Phasmophobia is a multiplayer ghost-hunting game, but it does not support split screen — not on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. If you want to play with others, you must use online multiplayer where each player has their own screen and controls their own character over the internet.

The game was built from the start as an online-only experience. The developers have not added split screen in any update, and there are no plans to add it. If you and another person want to play together on the same TV or monitor, split screen will not work.

This matters because split screen is the only way to play couch co-op — where two people sit next to each other with one controller each, sharing one screen. Phasmophobia does not offer this option at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Phasmophobia has no split screen mode on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, and the developers have not announced plans to add it.
  • The game requires online multiplayer, which means each player needs their own copy of the game and their own internet connection.
  • You can play with up to three other people online at the same time, but everyone must be in separate locations with separate screens.
  • If you want to play ghost hunting together in the same room, you will need either multiple screens or to take turns using one screen.

How online multiplayer works instead

Since split screen is not an option, Phasmophobia uses standard online multiplayer. You create or join a lobby with up to three other players. Each person controls their own character on their own screen, and you communicate through voice chat or text while you hunt ghosts together.

To play online, each person needs their own copy of the game. On PC, you buy it through Steam. On console, you need a copy for PlayStation or Xbox depending on your system. Everyone also needs an active internet connection — the game will not work offline.

The online system works across platforms in some cases. PC players can play with other PC players. Console players can play with other console players on the same system. Cross-platform play (PC with PlayStation, for example) is not supported, so everyone in your group needs to own the game on the same type of system.

Playing together in the same room without split screen

If you want to play with someone else while sitting in the same room, you have two realistic options: use multiple screens or take turns.

Multiple screens is the straightforward approach. Set up two computers or two consoles in the same room, each with its own monitor or TV. Both players launch the game, join the same online lobby, and play together while sitting next to each other. You will hear each other's voices directly and through the game's voice chat at the same time, which can be confusing, so many players mute their in-game voice and talk to each other normally instead.

Taking turns means one person plays while the other watches, then you swap. This works if you only have one screen and one copy of the game, but it is less fun because only one person is actively playing at any moment. Some groups do this for short sessions or to let someone try the game before they buy their own copy.

Why Phasmophobia has no split screen

Phasmophobia was designed as an online multiplayer game from the beginning. The developer, Kinetic Games, built the game around internet-based lobbies and communication rather than local couch co-op. Split screen would require a completely different code structure and would not fit the way the game is currently designed.

Adding split screen would also mean redesigning the user interface. Phasmophobia's menus and on-screen information are built for one player per screen. Fitting two players' information on one screen would require shrinking everything and repositioning elements, which is a large amount of work for a feature that is not central to how the game plays.

The developers have focused on improving online multiplayer instead — adding new maps, ghosts, equipment, and features that work across the internet. If split screen becomes important to enough players, the developers might reconsider, but as of now it is not part of their roadmap.

What platforms Phasmophobia is available on

Phasmophobia is available on PC through Steam and on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. An Xbox version was in development but has not been released yet. The game runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 on PC, and the PlayStation versions work on both the standard and Pro models.

The game requires a decent internet connection but does not need a particularly powerful computer or console. On PC, the minimum specs are modest — a processor from around 2013 or newer and 8 GB of RAM are enough to run it. On PlayStation, the base model handles the game without problems.

None of these versions have split screen. The feature is absent across all platforms where the game is available.

Alternatives if you want couch co-op ghost hunting

If split screen is important to you and you want a ghost-hunting game you can play together on one screen, very few games in this genre offer that option. Most modern multiplayer games, including horror games, use online multiplayer instead of local co-op.

Some older games like the original Luigi's Mansion on GameCube had split screen or shared-screen co-op, but they are no longer in active development. If couch co-op is a must-have feature, you may need to look at games in different genres — party games, action games, and some puzzle games are more likely to have split screen than multiplayer horror games.

Your best option is to accept that Phasmophobia is online-only and either set up multiple screens in the same room or play with friends remotely. Most players find the online experience works well once everyone has the game and a stable internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Phasmophobia with someone on the same couch?

Not with split screen. You can sit on the same couch if you have two separate screens and two copies of the game — one person plays on one screen, the other on a different screen. You can also take turns on one screen, but only one person plays at a time.

Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass to play online?

On PlayStation, you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play online multiplayer. On Xbox, you need Xbox Game Pass for Console or Xbox Live Gold. On PC through Steam, you do not need any subscription — you only need to own the game.

Can PC players play with PlayStation players?

No. Phasmophobia does not support cross-platform play. PC players can only play with other PC players, and PlayStation players can only play with other PlayStation players. Everyone in your group must own the game on the same platform.

What if I only have one copy of the game?

You can still play with others online — each person buys their own copy on their own system. If you want to play in the same room with only one copy, you will need to take turns, with one person playing while the other watches.

Will split screen ever be added to Phasmophobia?

The developers have not announced any plans to add split screen. The game was built as an online-only experience, and adding split screen would require major changes to the code and interface. It is possible but not currently planned.