How to Use Split-Screen in Minecraft

Steve Larner May 15, 2023

Do you remember the good old days when you played console games with your friends on a split-screen? You can now evoke those memories and create some fantastic new ones using Minecraft split-screen. Unfortunately, this option is only available on consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox).

Your console or TV screen needs to support at least 720p resolution. PlayStation Vita doesn’t support split-screen because it is qHD (1/4 of 1080p). WiiU doesn’t support split-screen either because it only has 480p resolution. For qualifying devices, you’ll need to connect them to a TV screen using an HDMI or RGB component cable.

Read on for further information and detailed steps on splitting the screen in Minecraft.

Minecraft Splitscreen Requirements

As briefly mentioned, you’ll need a console and a TV screen with 720p or higher. Also, you need to set the video resolution of your console to match the TV. This process is relatively easy to do. Go to your console’s settings and work your way to the display options. PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Switch automatically set the resolution when using HDMI, although previous manual adjustments may cause an issue requiring manual reconfiguration.

You can split the screen in Minecraft locally or online. The local split-screen can accommodate up to four players at a time. If you have a big TV screen, playing with friends or family is loads of fun. Let’s start with tips for local split-screen, and later, the online split-screen will get explained as well.

How to Split-Screen Minecraft Locally

Local split-screen refers to playing on a single console, not being mistaken for LAN (local area network) play, where several devices get used. Up to four players can join on any given device. The instructions to play Minecraft in split-screen mode vary slightly for each game console, but the instructions below will cover them all.

Here’s how to set up a local split-screen in Minecraft:

Connect the console to the TV with an HDMI or component cable, then launch Minecraft.
Select Create New if you want to start fresh, or load a previous world from the game list.
In the Multiplayer settings, slide Multiplayer Game to the off position.
Set the difficulty and other game options to your liking.
Choose Create or Play to launch the game.
Use a different controller to activate the second player on the console, then select the correct button(s) to add them to Minecraft. For example, the PS4 uses the PS button to activate a user and the Options button (pressed twice) to add a second player to Minecraft.
Select the account for the other player (if not done already). XBOX 360 and PS3 use the Minecraft Legacy Console Edition, so you first press Start on the second controller to get in the game, then it will prompt the user to log into the console.

How to Split-Screen Minecraft Online

You can play Minecraft on a split-screen with your friends locally, while also playing with others online. In other words, online play is not on a split-screen, but two or more local players get the split-screen while playing with those who are online. Here’s how to set split-screen up for online play.

Sign in to your console with your Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus account. For XBOX 360 and XBOX One, local accounts and players on XBOX Live Silver (the free Live subscription) cannot join. The PS3 doesn’t require PlayStation Plus, but the PS4 does.
For Minecraft Legacy editions, open on your console and choose Play Game, then Load or Create. For Bedrock editions, select Create New or select a game on your list.
Adjust your game options to your liking and launch your game. On Bedrock, go to the Multiplayer menu and ensure Multiplayer Game is turned on before starting the game.
Other “remote” players select your invitation (required) to join your hosted game. Split-screen functionality only works on a per-console basis with up to 4 people, but they can play online with others.

Minecraft’s an interesting, fun, and creative game. Like any other game, it’s better when you play with your friends. You can now split the screen and play Minecraft, like playing those older console games with other players.

PC users might feel left out, which is understandable. If you have a big monitor screen, it’s a shame you can’t split it and do the same thing as on a console. There are third-party screen-splitting tools online that you could look into, but they’re not official and may not be reliable.