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How to play split-screen in Fortnite

Jon Bitner
By

One of the best additions to Fortnite over the past few years has been the ability to play the game in split-screen mode. This useful feature allows two players to enjoy the battle royale game on the same screen without the need to own a second console.

There are a few limitations to its use, but it's a great way to let friends and family experience one of the most popular free games on the market. Here's how to play Fortnite in split-screen mode.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Fortnite

  • PS5, PS4, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X|S

how to play split screen fortnite duo

Compatible systems

While Fortnite is available on just about every system under the sun, split-screen mode is limited to Xbox and PlayStation consoles. If you're running it on either Series X, Series S, or PS5, you'll benefit from frame rates of up to 60 frames per second.

Epic Games has not indicated that split-screen gameplay will be coming to PC or Nintendo Switch, despite several rumors since the feature was first released in 2019.

How to play split-screen in Fortnite

Getting a friend to join in on the fun is an easy process, and it follows the same steps for all compatible consoles. Before you start, however, make sure you have a second account and controller available for your buddy to use. Then, follow these easy steps to get split-screen mode running:

Step 1: Navigate to the Main Menu.

Step 2: Make sure the second controller is connected to your console and is turned on.

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Step 3: Once connected, the second player should be invited to select their account.

Step 4: After signing in, the second player will now appear in the Fortnite lobby.

Step 5: That's all there is to it! You'll now be able to hop into games together and fight toward a Victory Royale.

Not all game modes are compatible

It should come as no surprise, but Solo Mode is not available when playing split-screen online multiplayer. This would lead to an unfair advantage in a battle royale, as two people on the same couch could coordinate their attacks together and effectively work as a team against all the other single players. For that reason, Solo Mode is not compatible with split-screen play. You'll also be unable to play in Creative Mode or Team Rumble.

Instead, you'll be stuck with either Squads or Duos mode. These are the only two modes that work when two players are using the same console, and there's no word from Epic Games on whether this will change in the future.

You might also want to consider that:

  • The split-screen session will end if one player disconnects, even if the other player stays logged in.
  • You won’t see each other’s lobby or menu because screen sharing only starts when a match is in session.
  • Players will not share an inventory.
  • Both players have to select the same language setting because split-screen can’t handle multiple languages.

Tips for playing in split-screen

Although it’s fun to jump into a bit of couch co-op, you won’t want to overlook the potential downsides. The biggest — and most obvious — issue is that it will cut your screen size in half. This makes teamwork and communication paramount, as you’ll rely heavily on your teammate to let you know what they’re seeing. The split-screen option will only show feeds in horizontal orientations, and you can’t switch it back to vertical. This isn’t the worst thing in the world, but if you prefer to run your co-op vertically, it might take some adjusting. So long as you’re mindful of these drawbacks, the split-screen mode can be a lot of fun and is a great way to introduce your friends to the Fortnite craze.

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Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner

Jon Bitner is a freelance journalist whose gaming addiction began with the SEGA Genesis. His work has been published on various websites beyond Digital Trends, including Slickdeals, TheGamer, and AndroidPolice. He holds a degree in Biology and previously worked as a Medical Editor before joining the gaming industry.

When not playing video games, he can be found mountain biking, hiking, or checking out the latest series on Netflix.

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