The answer depends on which version you’re running — and it’s more limited than most people expect
Split screen on PC is one of those Minecraft features that sounds like it should exist but largely doesn’t in the way console players expect.
The answer is different depending on whether you’re on Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, and neither option gives you a true native split screen experience the way PlayStation or Xbox does.
Here’s exactly what’s possible and what your realistic options are.
Java Edition: No Native Split Screen
Minecraft Java Edition has no split screen functionality whatsoever. It never has. Java Edition is designed as a single-player or networked multiplayer experience — one player per game instance, full stop.
There is no setting to enable it, no mod that seamlessly replicates console split screen, and no workaround that produces the same experience.
If someone on Java Edition wants to play locally with another person on the same PC, the only option is running two separate instances of the game simultaneously — covered below.
Bedrock Edition: Limited Local Multiplayer But Not True Split Screen
Bedrock Edition on Windows supports local multiplayer, but it’s not the same as the split screen you get on consoles.
On Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, Bedrock Edition genuinely splits the display into two or four portions with each player controlling their own view. On Windows PC, this does not happen.
What Bedrock Edition on PC does support is LAN multiplayer — multiple players on the same network can join the same world from their own separate devices.
Each person needs their own PC, their own copy of Minecraft Bedrock, and their own Microsoft account. The game doesn’t divide one screen between multiple players the way console split screen does.
The split screen feature in Bedrock Edition is specifically tied to console platforms where controllers are connected to the same console.
The Windows version of Bedrock doesn’t support it regardless of how many controllers you plug in.
Running Two Java Edition Instances on One PC
The closest thing Java Edition has to local co-op on a single PC is running two game instances simultaneously and using two sets of peripherals.
The basic concept: launch Minecraft twice, have one player host a LAN world, and have the second instance join it. Both instances run in separate windows on the same computer.
Each player uses their own keyboard and mouse — or one uses a keyboard and mouse while the other uses a controller with a remapping tool.
This requires:
A PC with enough RAM and CPU power to run two instances simultaneously — at minimum 16GB of RAM is recommended, with a capable processor. Each instance needs its own allocated memory and both running simultaneously creates significant system load.
Two separate Minecraft accounts. Java Edition is tied to a Microsoft account and two instances need two separate licensed accounts — you cannot run two copies of the game on the same account simultaneously.
Two input setups. The most practical configuration is one player on keyboard and mouse, one player on a gamepad using a tool like Controlify (a Fabric mod) or Minecraft Java Edition’s experimental controller support.
To set this up: launch the game twice from the launcher — this is possible but requires the launcher to be configured to allow multiple instances, or using a third-party launcher like MultiMC or Prism Launcher which are designed for running multiple instances.
One player opens their world to LAN, the other joins through the multiplayer menu.
Practically speaking, the experience is clunky compared to true split screen. Two full game windows on one monitor is crowded. A dual monitor setup improves it — one window per screen — but it’s still two separate full-screen experiences rather than a divided single screen.
Using a Virtual Machine (Not Recommended)
Some guides suggest running a second Minecraft instance in a virtual machine. This is technically possible but performs poorly and requires significant technical setup.
The performance overhead of virtualization on top of running Minecraft means neither instance runs well. This approach is generally not worth pursuing for casual local co-op.
Split Screen Mods for Java Edition
There are experimental mods that attempt to implement split screen in Java Edition, though none provide a fully polished experience comparable to console split screen.
Splitscreen Mod and similar projects on Modrinth and CurseForge have attempted to render multiple player viewports within a single Java Edition window.
Results vary significantly by mod version, Minecraft version compatibility, and system hardware. These mods are niche, often poorly maintained, and typically produce performance and compatibility issues.
If you want to explore this route, search Modrinth or CurseForge for “split screen” filtered to your specific Minecraft version and mod loader. Read the comments and reviews carefully before installing — many of these mods are abandoned or work inconsistently.
The Console Alternative
If local split screen Minecraft is what you’re actually after, the honest recommendation is a console. Xbox Series S is the most affordable entry point and runs Bedrock Edition with full split screen support for up to four players on a single screen.
The experience is what PC simply doesn’t offer natively — multiple players on one screen with one copy of the game and multiple controllers.
For households where multiple people want to play Minecraft together on the same TV, a single Xbox and one copy of Minecraft Bedrock Edition handles four-player split screen out of the box.
The PC equivalents involve multiple accounts, multiple instances, and significant technical overhead with a less polished result.
The Realistic PC Local Co-Op Setup
If two people want to play Minecraft together on PC in the same room, the most practical setup is:
Two separate PCs or a PC and a laptop, each running their own Minecraft instance, connected to the same Wi-Fi or LAN network.
One player hosts a world or they both connect to a local server. Each player has their own screen, their own account, and their own controls.
This is genuinely how most PC Minecraft co-op works in practice — networked play on separate machines rather than split screen on one.
It’s not split screen but it’s a better experience than trying to force split screen onto hardware and software not designed for it.
A Quick Summary
| Scenario | Split Screen Available |
|---|---|
| Java Edition | No — never supported |
| Bedrock Edition on PC | No — console only |
| Bedrock Edition on Xbox / PlayStation / Switch | Yes — up to 4 players |
| Two Java instances on one PC | Workaround only — two separate windows |
| Split screen mods for Java | Experimental — inconsistent results |
The Bottom Line
Minecraft split screen on PC isn’t natively supported on either Java or Bedrock Edition for Windows. Java Edition has never had it.
Bedrock Edition’s split screen is a console-exclusive feature that doesn’t transfer to the Windows version.
The closest practical alternative is running two Java instances simultaneously with two accounts and two input setups — workable but demanding and not a true split screen experience.
For genuine split screen Minecraft, a console remains the only platform where it works as expected.
PC Minecraft is built for networked multiplayer, not local split screen — two machines on the same network is the PC way to play together in the same room.
Meet Ry, “TechGuru,” a 36-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.