Last weekend, my 10-year-old cousin begged to play Minecraft together while he was visiting, and the first question I had was can you play Minecraft split screen on PC without having to set up a whole separate server or buy a second copy of the game. I’ve spent years messing around with Minecraft’s different multiplayer options, so I was surprised I didn’t have a quick answer right off the bat. I spent an hour testing different workarounds across both Java and Bedrock editions, and figured out exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to get set up in 10 minutes or less if you meet the basic requirements. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, no complicated modding or paid tools required.
Can You Play Minecraft Split Screen on PC? The Short Answer
The short answer is yes, but there are a few key caveats depending on which edition of Minecraft you own. Native split screen support is only available for Minecraft Bedrock Edition for PC, while Java Edition has no official built-in split screen functionality. That doesn’t mean Java players are completely out of luck, but workarounds for Java require extra tools and a more powerful PC to run smoothly.
Before you try to set up split screen, make sure you meet all the core requirements to avoid frustrating errors mid-setup:
- A copy of Minecraft Bedrock Edition for PC (Java Edition has no native split screen support)
- Two or more compatible controllers (wired Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch Pro controllers work best; keyboard and mouse can only be assigned to one player)
- A display with a minimum resolution of 1080p (720p only supports 2-player split screen, but 1080p or higher works for up to 4 players)
- Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher, or a compatible Windows 11 install
It’s also important to note that split screen is exclusively for local co-op play, meaning all players have to be in the same room using the same PC. You won’t be able to use split screen to play with remote friends, but you can combine local split screen with online multiplayer if you want to play with both in-person and remote friends at the same time.
How to Set Up Split Screen for Minecraft Bedrock on PC in 5 Minutes
If you have Bedrock Edition and meet all the requirements listed above, setting up split screen is incredibly straightforward, and most people can get it running in less than 5 minutes. First, plug in and test all your controllers through Windows settings first to make sure they’re recognized by your PC. Bluetooth controllers work, but I always recommend wired controllers for split screen to avoid input lag during fast-paced gameplay.
Once your controllers are connected, open Minecraft Bedrock Edition and load into the single-player world you want to share with other players. You don’t have to adjust any settings ahead of time, but you can hop into the video menu first if you want to lower render distance to prevent lag for multiple players. When you’re loaded into the world, pick up the second controller and press the main menu or start button. A pop-up will appear on the right side of the screen asking you to select a profile for the second player.
The second player can sign into their own Microsoft account, or play as a guest if they don’t have an account. Once you select a profile, the screen will automatically split, and the second player will spawn in your world right next to you. For 3 or 4 player split screen, just repeat the same step with additional controllers, as long as your display resolution is high enough to support more players. You can adjust split screen orientation between horizontal and vertical at any time in the video settings menu, which is helpful if you prefer side-by-side play over top-and-bottom.
One common mistake people make is trying to assign keyboard and mouse to more than one player. Only one player can use keyboard and mouse at a time for split screen play, so all additional players will need their own controller to join. If you get an error saying split screen isn’t supported, double check that your display resolution is set to at least 1080p, and that you’re definitely running Bedrock Edition instead of Java.
Workarounds for Split Screen on Minecraft Java Edition
If you only own Minecraft Java Edition, you won’t be able to use the native split screen feature, but there are two reliable workarounds that work for most people with mid-range or higher PCs. These workarounds aren’t officially supported by Mojang, so you might run into occasional bugs or crashes, but they’re solid options if you don’t want to buy a separate copy of Bedrock Edition.
The most popular workaround is using a free third-party tool called Nucleus Co-op. This tool lets you run multiple instances of Minecraft Java at the same time, assign each instance to a separate controller, and automatically split your screen between the instances. You’ll need at least 8GB of RAM and a quad-core CPU to run two instances smoothly, and 16GB of RAM for 3 or 4 player split screen. The setup process takes around 20 minutes the first time you do it, but there are plenty of step-by-step tutorials available to walk you through the process.
The second workaround is running a second copy of Minecraft Java in a virtual machine, then using Windows’ built-in snap feature to tile the two game windows side by side. This option is more complicated, as you’ll need to set up a virtual machine running Windows, install Minecraft on it, and make sure the virtual machine has access to your controller. You’ll also need a separate Microsoft account for the second copy of Minecraft, and a much more powerful PC to run a virtual machine and a full Minecraft instance at the same time.
These workarounds are not officially supported by Mojang, so you won’t be able to get help from Minecraft support if you run into issues with them. I tested the Nucleus Co-op method on my Ryzen 5 3600 PC with 16GB of RAM last weekend, and it ran smoothly for two players, but started stuttering badly when I tried to add a third. If you have an older or lower-end PC, you’ll probably be better off buying a cheap copy of Bedrock Edition for split screen play instead of trying to make the Java workarounds run well.
Top Tips for Smooth Minecraft Split Screen Play on PC
Even if you meet all the basic requirements, there are a few small tweaks you can make to ensure your split screen play session is as smooth and fun as possible. I’ve hosted dozens of split screen Minecraft game nights for friends and family, and these tips have saved me from a ton of frustrating technical issues mid-game.
Lower your in-game video settings before you add extra players, even if you have a high-end gaming PC. Split screen forces your PC to render the world multiple times at once, so cutting your render distance to 8 or lower, turning off fancy graphics, and disabling ambient occlusion will cut down on GPU usage by 30% or more in most cases. You can always turn settings back up when you’re playing single player again.
If you’re playing modded worlds or custom maps, stick to Bedrock Edition for split screen. Modded Java split screen is far less stable, and you’ll have to install every mod separately for each instance of the game to make sure they work properly. I tried to run a modded Java split screen world with the Create mod a few months ago, and it crashed every 15 minutes until I gave up and switched to a Bedrock world with equivalent add-ons.
Another underrated tip is to turn off player vs player damage in your world settings if you’re playing with younger kids or casual players. It’s really easy to accidentally hit the other player when you’re sharing a screen, and nothing kills a fun play session faster than a fight over a stolen diamond pickaxe. You can turn PvP back on any time if you want to play competitive minigames later.
If you want to combine local split screen with online play, you can do that for free on Bedrock Edition. Just open your world to online friends after you set up split screen, and your remote friends can join the same world as your local split screen players. It’s the perfect setup if you have some friends coming over and others joining remotely for a group play session.
At the end of the day, figuring out can you play Minecraft split screen on PC is a lot simpler than most people make it out to be, as long as you have the right edition of the game and a few basic accessories. It’s one of my favorite ways to play with family when they’re visiting, or to host casual game nights with friends without having to mess around with server IPs or port forwarding. You don’t need any fancy tech skills to get set up, and even if you only have Java Edition, there are workarounds if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort. Next time you have people over and want to play Minecraft together, skip the hassle of setting up multiple PCs and give split screen a try.