Yes, Borderlands 4 has split screen, but only for two players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. There is no split screen on PC, and the paused Nintendo Switch 2 version was announced without it. Below is how couch co-op works, how to start it, how it combines with online play, and every split screen fix Gearbox has shipped through November 2026.
We checked this against the official Borderlands 4 FAQ, Gearbox's crossplay support article, the official update notes from February to October 2026, the GamerGuides co-op guide and Nintendo Life's report on the Switch 2 FAQ in November 2026.
Which Platforms Support Split Screen
The official FAQ is direct: Borderlands 4 supports up to four players in online parties, and "up to 2 players in splitscreen couch co-op on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S." Gearbox's crossplay support article adds that the split can be vertical or horizontal, "whatever works best for you and your friends," so you can choose side-by-side halves or stacked halves depending on your TV and seating.
- PlayStation 5: two-player split screen supported.
- Xbox Series X|S: two-player split screen supported. The FAQ groups both consoles together, so the Series S is included.
- PC (Steam and Epic): no split screen. Insider Gaming's breakdown of the FAQ confirms it is console-only.
- Nintendo Switch 2: Gearbox's Switch 2 FAQ, reported by Nintendo Life in August 2025, said that version would ship "minus the split-screen option." The port has since been paused, as covered in our Switch 2 status update.
Three or four people on one screen is not possible on any platform. For a bigger group, you combine split screen with online play, which is explained below.
How to Start a Split Screen Session
Setup is simple. GamerGuides explains that you need someone in the same room with two controllers connected, then you select the split screen option from the main menu. You do not need to finish a tutorial before teaming up, and players do not need to be at the same point in the story.
- Connect both controllers to your PS5 or Xbox and launch the game.
- Pick the split screen option from the main menu and let the second controller join.
- Each player chooses or creates a character. GamerGuides notes that every player needs their own campaign save file, even for a quick boss fight.
- Decide who hosts. Since the March 26, 2026 update, only the host can change True Mode settings.
- Check the split direction and field of view for both players before you start a long session.
Quest progress is saved to the character that completed it. You can bring that character into your own save later, or keep a dedicated couch co-op character separate from your solo one. If you want both players to share story moments, play the main missions together from the start rather than catching one player up later.
How Loot, Levels and Difficulty Work Together
Borderlands 4 is built so two very different players can share a couch. GamerGuides confirms that loot is instanced, so each player gets their own drops with no option to switch to shared loot. Enemies scale to each player's own level and difficulty settings, so a level 20 newcomer and a level 70 veteran can play together without one of them being carried.
Instancing removes the old arguments over who grabbed the Legendary, but it does change how you trade. If you want to give your partner a weapon, drop it on the ground for them or use the normal trading tools rather than assuming they can see your loot. The same applies to Golden Chest rewards, which can be traded even though Golden Keys cannot.
Difficulty is also per player. If one of you is chasing Ultimate Vault Hunter ranks while the other just wants to see the story, each can keep their own setting. That is a big part of why couch co-op is a good way to introduce a friend or family member to the series: nobody is stuck on a difficulty they do not enjoy.
Choosing Shared Progression for a New Couch Character
If the second player is creating a fresh Vault Hunter for couch sessions, one setting deserves a moment of thought. Version 1.7 on May 28, 2026 added a Shared Progression toggle that appears when you create a new character, right after you pick the difficulty, and the patch notes warn that it cannot be changed once character creation is finished.
With it switched on, the new character inherits account progress. The Story Pack 1 notes list what is shared: collectibles, activities, big map progress, SDU tokens, Vault Powers, vehicle skins and Hover Drives. A September 17, 2026 update extended that to unlocked Vault Hunter heads and skins carrying over to Loveless. For a second player who already owns a finished character on that profile, this saves hours of re-clearing the map and re-earning backpack space. For someone who wants to experience exploration fresh alongside a friend, leaving it off keeps the world unexplored, which can make a couch playthrough feel more like a shared first run.
Combining Split Screen With Online Co-op
A couch pair does not have to stay a pair. GamerGuides explains that two local players can join two online friends to make a full four-player party, or a pair can join another split screen pair online. The four-player limit still applies, so a split screen pair can add at most two more people.
Crossplay works here too. The FAQ says crossplay requires a free SHiFT account, and GamerGuides adds that you enable crossplay in session settings and share your SHiFT ID to party up with players on other platforms. On consoles, online play also needs the platform's separate paid subscription, which the FAQ calls out explicitly.
Your saves can travel as well. Version 1.8 on June 25, 2026 added cross-platform saves through SHiFT, so a character you level on the couch can later continue on PC, where there is no split screen but online co-op works the same way. Our older crossplay and cross-save guide covers the linking steps.
Every Split Screen Fix Since Launch
Split screen had rough edges at launch, and Gearbox has patched it in almost every major update. The official notes list:
- September 25, 2025: consoles gained a field of view slider, and vehicle FOV became adjustable for both split screen players.
- February 26, 2026: field of view settings now update for both players, the Vault Card banner and purchase prompt were repositioned, and the main player can stop a travel countdown.
- March 26, 2026: fixed progress loss when a player quit during character selection, secondary characters disappearing when joining a fresh save, item card flips showing for both players and missing sound for a second player joining a new PS5 save. Only the host can now change True Mode settings.
- April 30, 2026 (Version 1.6): visual and camera improvements, plus Xbox split screen fixes.
- May 28, 2026 (Version 1.7): secondary players no longer get stuck in the Speakeasy travel tunnel.
- June 25, 2026 (Version 1.8): enemies target both players right away when battles are bought from Moxxi's Big Encore Machine.
- July 30, 2026 (Version 1.9): faster resume from Rest Mode, level-up notices only for the player who leveled, and enemy and NPC outlines shown for both players.
- September 10, 2026 (Version 1.10): Vault Card rewards now appear for the split screen player, and graphics presets sync correctly.
- September 17, 2026: split screen players only feel screen shake and haptics from their own zipline in Providence.
If you tried couch co-op early and gave up, the experience in November 2026 is noticeably more polished, especially around progression tracking for the second player.
Tips for a Smoother Couch Session
A few habits make split screen more comfortable:
- Pick vertical splits on a wide TV if both players like a taller view for vertical traversal, and horizontal if you prefer more width for spotting enemies.
- Keep field of view moderate. Gearbox has warned that raising FOV beyond the default can affect performance, and two views double the workload.
- Play the same story missions together so both characters get credit, since quest progress belongs to whoever completed it.
- Use the second player's own Vault Card. Since Version 1.10, Vault Card rewards appear correctly for the split screen player, so both of you can progress your cards.
- Agree on goals before you start. If one player is hunting trophies, our trophy guide flags which ones can be shared through a friend's co-op session, and our XP farming guide lists routes that work well with two players.
Want Your Couch Partner Caught Up?
Couch co-op works best when both players can enjoy the same content, and level scaling handles most gaps. If one player wants to reach endgame difficulty alongside a veteran partner sooner, the store's Borderlands 4 services page lists level, Eridium, money and gear services. Those listings say they work on PSN, Xbox and PC and ask for your SHiFT nickname rather than your account login.
Read each listing's details before ordering, and message the store first if you are unsure whether a service fits your platform or your second player's character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Borderlands 4 split screen on PC?
No. Split screen is only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. PC players can still play online co-op with up to four people.
How many players can play split screen in Borderlands 4?
Two on one console. A split screen pair can join two online players for a four-player party.
Is split screen vertical or horizontal?
Either. Gearbox's crossplay article says the split can be vertical or horizontal, whichever works best for you.
Does the second player keep their loot and progress?
Yes. Loot is instanced per player, each player needs their own save, and quest progress is saved to the character who completed it.
Does Xbox Series S support split screen?
The official FAQ lists Xbox Series X|S together, so split screen is supported on both Xbox consoles.
Will Switch 2 get split screen?
Gearbox's Switch 2 FAQ said the version would launch without split screen, and that version is paused as of November 2026.