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How to play split screen in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in 2026

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Soldiers near a train in Black Ops 6.
Activision

Playing Call of Duty with a friend on the same couch used to be standard issue, especially for Trophy and Achievement hunters. Now it’s a bit more conditional.

Black Ops 6 does support split-screen, but only on PS5 and Xbox Series X / Series S. It is not available on PC, PS4, or Xbox One, and it doesn’t work in Campaign.

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Thanks to cross-platform support, you can play with friends online on any platform. But what if you have a friend or family member sitting on the couch next to you who wants to play?

Split-screen is limited to Zombies and select multiplayer modes, and you still need to be online to use it.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Black Ops 6 on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S

  • Two controllers

  • Two accounts on your console connected to Activision

  • Internet connection

How to set up split-screen in Black Ops 6

  1. Launch Black Ops 6 on your PS5 or Xbox Series X|S and connect both controllers.
  2. Turn on the second controller and sign in with a second player account when prompted.
  3. From the main menu, have the second player join the lobby.
  4. Select a supported multiplayer mode or Zombies.
  5. If you’re playing Zombies and only want two human players, turn Squad Fill off before starting the match.

Black Ops 6 split-screen limitations

Split-screen in Black Ops 6 comes with a few important restrictions. It is only supported on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It does not work on PC, PS4, or Xbox One. Campaign also does not support split-screen, so local co-op is limited to Zombies and certain multiplayer modes. You also need to stay connected online, even if both players are in the same room.

Why split-screen might not be working

If split-screen is not showing up, start with the basics. Make sure the second controller is connected and active, and that the second player is signed in to a valid account. If the join prompt still does not appear, restart the game and try joining again from the main menu. If you’re on PC, PS4, or Xbox One, split-screen will not work because those platforms are not supported.

FAQ

Can you play split-screen in Black Ops 6 on PC?

No. Black Ops 6 split-screen is only supported on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Can you play split-screen in Black Ops 6 campaign?

No. Campaign does not support split-screen in Black Ops 6.

Can you play split-screen in Black Ops 6 Zombies?

Yes. Zombies supports split-screen on supported consoles, and if you only want two human players, you can turn Squad Fill off before starting.

Why isn’t split-screen working in Black Ops 6?

The most common reasons are using an unsupported platform, not signing in the second player properly, or failing to join from the main lobby with both controllers active.

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jesse Lennox covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies…
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