Splitscreen

Splitscreen is a console-exclusive feature that allows up to four players to play on one screen at the same time. It is supported on the Legacy Console Edition and console versions of the Bedrock Edition. Mini Games, Realms, and peer-to-peer online multiplayer have support for splitscreen. External servers, including the featured servers, do not.

Using Splitscreen requires a screen with an output of at least 720p or higher. On television screens this can be achieved using either an HDMI or RGB component cable. The render distance is decreased with every additional player, at least on Console Edition.

On Xbox, Local Splitscreen can be played using Local, Silver and Gold accounts, while Online Splitscreen can only be played using Gold and Guest accounts. Guest accounts can only be signed in at the start of a session; they can not join existing sessions. They can only be an Xbox Live account.

The PlayStation Vita Edition is the only Console Edition that does not support splitscreen. This is because the Vita's native resolution is too low.

Setup

Because Split screen requires a screen with an output of 720p or higher, the console's video output needs to be configured accordingly. The video mode can be checked by going to Settings > System > Console Settings > Display - Make sure this is set to 720p or higher. If it is not, the split screen option will not work.

Because of the resolution requirement, splitscreen cannot be played through Off-TV Play on the Wii U GamePad in the Wii U Edition. However, the Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft and the old Nintendo Switch Edition do support splitscreen even without a TV.

Local Splitscreen

The following guide will show step by step how to setup and play a Local Splitscreen game

Step 1. Select play game and choose to either Create a New world or Load a previous world and make sure you are using 720p video, or a HDMI cable.

Step 2. Make sure to uncheck the Online Game box.

Step 3. After entering the world, press start on the controller you wish to bring into the game.

Step 4. Sign in the player who will be using the controller.

Local splitscreen can be played with up to 4 players.

Online Splitscreen

The following guide will show step by step how to setup and play an Online Splitscreen game

Step 1. Select Playgame and choose to either Create a New world or Load a previous world.

Step 2. Make sure to Check the Online Game box

Step 3. Sign in the players you wish to join the game, Gold players can sign in and join at any time during the session, Guest players are required to sign in at the start.

Note: Further guests can now be added by signing in as a guest though the Xbox guide button prior to pressing start to join.

Step 4. If you wish to add further Gold account players into the game press Start on the required Controller and sign in the user.

Online Splitscreen can be played with up to 4 Players per console and a total of 8 Players per world.