Split-Screen Minecraft Java
Disclaimer:
This setup is for educational and personal use only. I do not encourage account sharing online or bypassing official game limitations in a way that violates Minecraft’s Terms of Service. This method is used locally, offline, and purely for fun and experimentation. No harm, no piracy, just curiosity.
In Minecraft Bedrock Edition, local multiplayer is supported on consoles, allowing multiple players to join the same game on a single device. However, neither Minecraft Bedrock Edition nor Java Edition provides native support for this feature on PC.
After experimenting with mods and tweaking certain game settings, I discovered a workaround that allows up to 4 players to play locally on Minecraft Java Edition using a single account. This setup works offline, and each player can control their character using a combination of controllers and keyboards, all enabled through mods and specific settings adjustments.
This method is shared for personal and educational use only and is not officially supported by Mojang. The goal is to provide a creative solution for players who want to enjoy local multiplayer in Minecraft Java Edition, similar to what is available in Bedrock Edition on consoles
What Do You Need?
Programs:
Multi Account Launcher - prismlauncher.org
Prism Minecraft Launcher:
1x Java Minecraft Account
Fabric For Minecraft Version 1.21.5 (Goes Automatically Right If You Sellect Fabric In Step 2.5)
Needed Fabric Mod's:
Splitscreen Support - modrinth.com/splitscreen
MidnightControls - modrinth.com/midnightcontrols
Auth Me - modrinth.com/auth-me
(Optional) SkinShifter - modrinth.com/skinshifter
Optimization Fabric Mod's:
Sodium - modrinth.com/sodium
Lithium - modrinth.com/lithium
Spark - curseforge.com/spark
Step 1:
Log Into Prism Launcher With Your Minecraft Account
Step 2:
Add 2 Fabric Minecraft Version 1.21.5 Instances
Step 2.5:
Add 2 Fabric Minecraft Version 1.21.5 Instances
Step 3:
Right Click On Instance 1 (Player 1). Then Click On Edit
Step 4:
Download The Mods On Instance 1 (Player 1)
Splitscreen Support
MidnightControls
Auth Me
SkinShifter (Optional)
(Dependencies Install Automatically)
Optional Optimization:
Sodium
Lithium
Spark
Step 5:
Repeat Step 3 & 4 On Instance 2 (Player 2)
Step 6:
Select Instance 1 (Player 1). Then Click The Small Down Arrow Next To Launch. Then Click Launch Offline.
Step 7:
Select Your Minecraft Account. Then Choose your Offline Name.
These Need To Be The Same Everytime You Log In Per Instance!
Step 8:
Repeat Step 6 & 7 On Instance 2 (Player 2)
Step 9:
Press F11 On Both Instances. Until You Have The Right Splitscreen Setup.
Step 10:
On Both Instances, Open Options, Then Go To Controls And Press The Controller Icon.
Step 11:
In General Options You Can Switch Modes, Keyboard, Controller And Touchscreen.
You Need To Turn On Virtual Mouse. And You Need To Turn Off Auto Switch Mode On Both Instances.
Step 12:
In Controller Options You Need to Turn On Unfocused Input. On Both Instances.
Step 12.5 (Optional):
In Controller Options You Need to Turn On Second Controller. To Play Both (Or More People On Controllers)
Step 13:
On Both Instances, Open Multiplayer And Press The Lock Icon.
Step 14:
On Both Instances, Pick A Login Method. Then Press Offline.
On Instance 1 Make It (Player 1) The Same As Step 7
On Instance 2 Make It (Player 2) The Same As Step 8
Step 15:
Make A World As Normal. And Then On Instance 1 (Player 1) Presses Open To LAN.
Step 16:
Instance 2 (Player 2) Open Multiplayer. And Join The LAN.
Step 17:
Open A Minecraft World And Press F3 + P to disable Minecraft pausing on lost focus. On Both Instances.
(The Lan Both Instances Joined)
OR IT WILL NOT WORK!
Step 18:
ALWAYS LOG BACK INTO THE SAME WORLD WITH YOUR SET USERNAMES FOR INSTANCE 1 AND INSTANCE 2!!!
(Step 6, 7 & 8)
Step 19 (Optional):
If You Have Installed the SkinShifter Mod.
You Can Change Your Skin To Any Real Player (Yourself)
/skinshifter set Player1 Notch
/skinshifter set Player2 (Any Real Player)
Step 20 (Optional):
If You Want More Mods Follow Step 4 & 5.
And INSTALL On BOTH Instances!
OPTIONAL:
On Only The Hosted Instances (The One That Opens To LAN) Need To Edit The Configs.
Right Click On Instance 1 (Player 1). Then Click On Folder.
(If You Want To Edit The Mod Config Files)
Folder --> minecraft --> config
End Result
