How to Use Split Screen in Fortnite

Evan Gower August 9, 2020

Couch co-op, or the ability for two players to play a game on one screen, is seeing a return to popularity. With this in mind, Epic Games has made a limited re-launch of the Split Screen feature for its most popular title, Fortnite.

In this article, we’ll show you how to use split screen in Fortnite, in case you want to try out this interesting game mode.

Fortnite Split Screen Limitations

Currently, Split Screen for Fortnite is limited to PS4 and Xbox One. Epic has said that there are plans to enable the feature for the other platforms, but there has yet to be a full update. Also, Split Screen is currently limited to Duos and Squad play. If you wish to play on other modes, you can’t use Split Screen. There has also been no mention by Epic Games if it has plans to enable this feature for the Save the World mode.

Users should also note that if you’re using an Xbox One to try and play Split Screen, at least one of the players needs to have an Xbox Live account. This isn’t the case for players using PS4 as it isn’t required for any of them to log onto PS Plus.

Another important thing to remember is that playing on Split Screen will most likely tank your frame rate to about 30 frames per second, or maybe even lower. The console is technically running two games at once, so this is to be expected. As Fortnite is a third-person Battle Royale action game, this may be a big drawback. If you’re fine with all of that, then read on.

Playing Fortnite on Split Screen

If you want to play Fortnite on Split Screen mode, you’ll need to remember a few things. First and foremost, you’ll need two controllers and two separate Fortnite accounts, but they mustn’t be guest accounts. Guest accounts will not work on Split Screen. If one of you doesn’t have an Epic Games account, make one. It’s free on the Epic Games website, or you can do this straight from your console. To do so on a console:

On Xbox One:

Select the Profile icon on the upper left corner of your console menu.
Choose Add New.
Pick Get a New e-mail address from the choices given, then press to Confirm.
Enter an email address. You should not use addresses that already belong to an existing account.
Choose and enter a Name and Password.
Choose a login name.
Choose to Agree to the Terms of Service.
Go back to the Main menu to proceed playing on Split Screen.

On PS4:

Press the Power on the second controller to bring up the Users screen.
Choose Switch User.
Select New User.
Pick your User Name and Password.
Confirm user creation.

If both controllers are properly connected you should see a message on the bottom of your screen that says P2 Log In (Hold). Use the second controller to press and hold the appropriate button. It should be X for the PlayStation 4 and A for Xbox One. If the second controller hasn’t yet logged in to their Epic Account, they’ll be asked to log in now. Once they’re logged in, you’ll see the second player on the lobby with you.

To switch menus between players, you can press X on PS4 or A on Xbox One. This allows each player to choose skins, customize player details, and choose the landing target. Once everything is set, you can choose the mode, either Duos or Squads, then start the game. You can now proceed to play Fortnite with your buddy on Split Screen mode.

Split Screen mode will divide the screen horizontally, with player one on the top, and player two at the bottom. As of now, there isn’t a way to adjust split screen to cut vertically or to change the position of the players. Once the Split Screen feature comes out of beta, Epic may decide to add in other options, but until then, this is what’s available.

Resurgence of Couch Co-Op

Playing Fortnite with friends is certainly a great experience, and with the re-launch of the Split Screen mode, couch co-op may yet see another resurgence. It may not be perfect, and for now it may be limited, but it’s a great step forward for cooperative play.

Do you have any other tips or tricks on how to use split screen in Fortnite? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.