Fortnite does not have split-screen multiplayer on PS4

Fortnite removed split-screen support from PlayStation 4 in 2020 and has not brought it back. If you want to play Fortnite with someone else on the same TV using one PS4 console, that option is not available through the game itself. Each player needs their own PS4 console and their own account to play together online.

This is different from some other games on PS4 — titles like Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Gran Turismo still support split-screen play. Fortnite's developer, Epic Games, has not announced any plans to restore split-screen functionality on any console.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite split-screen was removed from PS4 in 2020 and is not coming back based on any official announcement.
  • To play Fortnite together on the same TV, you need two separate PS4 consoles and two separate accounts.
  • You can play Fortnite on PS4 and have a friend watch, but only one person can control the game at a time.
  • Other games like Minecraft and Call of Duty still offer split-screen on PS4 if you want that feature.

Why Epic Games removed split-screen from Fortnite

Split-screen play puts heavy demands on a console's graphics processor and memory. Fortnite runs 100 players in the same match, and rendering the game twice at once — once for each player on the screen — uses resources that the PS4 cannot spare while keeping the game running smoothly. Epic Games decided that removing split-screen allowed them to maintain better performance and visual quality for the players who were actually using it.

The feature was used by a small percentage of players compared to online multiplayer, so the trade-off made sense from a development standpoint. Epic Games prioritized the experience for the majority of players over keeping a feature that only a fraction of the audience relied on.

What you need to play Fortnite together on PS4

If you want to play Fortnite with friends, you will need either two PS4 consoles in the same room or separate consoles in different locations. Each player needs their own PlayStation Network (PSN) account — you cannot share one account across multiple controllers and play together in Fortnite.

Both players need to own a copy of Fortnite, but the game is free to download from the PlayStation Store. You will also need a PlayStation Plus subscription on at least one account to play online multiplayer, though the other account can sometimes play without it depending on your console's settings. Check your current PlayStation Plus status before inviting someone to a match.

Setting up two PS4 consoles to play together

If you have access to two PS4 consoles, the setup is straightforward. Download Fortnite on both consoles from the PlayStation Store. Sign into each console with a different PSN account — you can use the same email address for both accounts if you want, but they must be separate accounts with different usernames.

Launch Fortnite on both consoles and log in with each account. From the main menu, one player can create a squad or join a match, and the other player can join that same match through their own console. You will see each other in the lobby and in the game itself. Voice chat works through the PS4's built-in party system — create a party before you launch the match so you can hear each other during gameplay.

Alternative games with split-screen on PS4

If split-screen is important to you and you do not have access to two consoles, several other games on PS4 still support it. Minecraft has full split-screen support for up to four players on one screen. Call of Duty (recent titles like Modern Warfare and Black Ops Cold War) includes split-screen multiplayer. Gran Turismo Sport supports split-screen racing for two players.

These games let you and a friend play on the same TV with one console, which is the experience you would get from Fortnite split-screen if it still existed. The trade-off is that you are limited to playing with people in your physical location rather than online with friends across the country.

Playing Fortnite with someone watching

You can still have a friend sit next to you and watch while you play Fortnite on PS4. This is not the same as split-screen — only one person controls the game — but it lets you experience the game together in the same room. Some players enjoy this for casual play, especially if the person watching is learning how the game works.

If you want to let your friend take a turn, you can hand them the controller and let them play a match while you watch. This works fine for casual play, though it is not as seamless as true split-screen where both players are in the match at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Fortnite ever have split-screen on PS4?

Yes. Fortnite supported split-screen on PS4 and Xbox One from 2018 until 2020, when Epic Games removed it. The feature was not widely used, and removing it freed up processing power to improve performance for online players.

Can I play Fortnite split-screen on PS5?

No. Fortnite does not have split-screen on PS5 either. Even though PS5 is more powerful than PS4, Epic Games has not restored the feature on any console version of the game.

What if I only have one PS4 but want to play with a friend?

You can play online together if you both have PSN accounts and Fortnite downloaded. You do not need to be in the same room — you can invite your friend to a squad from the main menu and play a match together over the internet.

Is there a way to mod Fortnite to add split-screen back?

No. Fortnite is an online game that connects to Epic Games' servers, and modifying it is against the terms of service. Attempting to mod the game can result in your account being banned.