Sea of Thieves does not have split screen on any platform
Sea of Thieves has no split-screen mode on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation. If you want to play with someone on the same TV, you each need your own console or PC, your own copy of the game, and your own internet connection. This is a hard limit built into how the game works, not a setting you can toggle on.
The game was designed from the start as an online multiplayer experience where every player connects to Rare's servers individually. Even though you might be sitting next to each other in the same room, the game treats you as separate players connecting from different devices.
Key Takeaways
- Split screen is not available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PlayStation versions of Sea of Thieves.
- Playing together in the same room requires two separate devices, two copies of the game, and two active internet connections.
- You can play on the same crew by joining the same server through the game's matchmaking system or by using a crew invite code.
- Cross-platform play works between PC and Xbox, and between PlayStation and Xbox, so you can play together even if you own different hardware.
Why Sea of Thieves has no split-screen option
Split screen requires the game to render two separate camera views on one screen at the same time. Sea of Thieves is built around server-side calculations — the game runs on Rare's servers, and your device streams what your character sees. Adding split screen would mean running two separate streams to one device, which creates technical problems with bandwidth, rendering load, and how the game communicates with the servers.
More importantly, the game's design assumes each player has their own screen and their own input device. The UI, the camera controls, and the way the game handles player input all expect one player per device. Retrofitting split screen would require rebuilding core systems that have been in place since the game launched in 2018.
Playing together on the same TV without split screen
The practical way to play Sea of Thieves together in the same room is to set up two devices side by side, each with its own screen or monitor. If you only have one TV, you can use a second monitor, a laptop, or even a tablet running the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming (available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on compatible devices).
Once both devices are running the game, you join the same crew through the in-game matchmaking system. You can either search for open crews and hope to land on the same server, or one player can create a crew and send an invite code to the other player. The invite code method is faster and more reliable — the player who creates the crew gets a code they can share, and the other player enters it in the crew select screen to join the exact same ship.
Cross-platform play options for playing together
Sea of Thieves supports cross-platform play between PC and Xbox. If one person owns the game on PC and another owns it on Xbox, you can still crew up and sail together on the same server. The game also works across Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC without any restrictions.
PlayStation players can play with Xbox and PC players as well, since Sea of Thieves launched on PlayStation 5 in 2024. This means you have flexibility in what hardware you use — you do not need everyone to own the same console or PC to play together.
What you need to play together in the same room
Each player needs their own device (console or PC), their own copy of Sea of Thieves, and their own internet connection. On Xbox, you can use Xbox Game Pass to access the game without buying it outright. On PC, you can buy it through Steam or the Microsoft Store, or access it through Game Pass for PC. On PlayStation, you buy it through the PlayStation Store.
The internet connection is the part people sometimes overlook. Even though you are in the same room, each device connects to Rare's servers separately. If your home internet is slow or unstable, both players will experience lag and disconnections. A wired connection (Ethernet) is more stable than Wi-Fi, especially if multiple devices are using the network at once.
Alternatives if you cannot set up two devices
If you only have one device and cannot get a second one, you have limited options. You could take turns playing — one person sails while the other watches, then switch. This is not the same as playing together, but it lets both people experience the game on the same ship.
You could also watch someone else play through streaming. If a friend streams their gameplay on Twitch or YouTube, you can watch them sail and participate by giving information or calling out threats. This is passive compared to controlling your own character, but it is free and requires no extra hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Sea of Thieves split screen on Xbox?
No. Xbox versions of Sea of Thieves (Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S) do not support split screen. You need two separate Xbox consoles, two copies of the game, and two Xbox Live accounts to play together in the same room.
Does Sea of Thieves have split screen on PC?
No. The PC version has no split-screen mode. You would need two separate PCs, two copies of the game, and two separate internet connections to play together at the same location.
Can I use Xbox Cloud Gaming to play on a second screen?
Yes. If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can stream Sea of Thieves to a phone, tablet, or web browser on a second device. This lets you play on the same TV or use a second screen without buying a second console. The stream quality depends on your internet speed.
What if one person has PlayStation and another has Xbox?
You can play together. Sea of Thieves supports cross-platform play between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Both players can join the same crew and sail on the same server regardless of which platform they own.
Is there any way to get split screen in Sea of Thieves?
No. Rare has not announced plans to add split screen, and the game's architecture makes it technically difficult to implement. Your only option for playing together in the same room is to use separate devices.