ARK: Survival Evolved supports two-player local split-screen on PS4 and Xbox One, with the PS4 edition reported to work on PS5 through backward compatibility and supported Xbox versions on Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch does not support two players sharing one console in split-screen. These steps concern Survival Evolved, not every ARK release.
Which consoles support local split-screen?
| Platform | Local split-screen | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 | Yes, two players | The PlayStation Store lists ARK: Survival Evolved for PS4 as a 1–2 player game. PlayStation Store listing |
| PS5 | Reported via PS4 backward compatibility | This is the PS4 edition running through backward compatibility, not a separate native PS5 version. Sony cautions that some PS4 features may be absent when played on PS5. Setup guide · PlayStation Store listing |
| Xbox One | Yes, two players | A local/non-dedicated session is started by the first player, then the second controller joins. Setup guide |
| Xbox Series X|S | Reported on supported Xbox versions through compatibility | Exact behavior may depend on the installed version; the guidance does not establish identical behavior for every installation. Setup guide |
| Nintendo Switch | No same-console split-screen | Multiplayer involving separate systems is different from two players sharing one Switch screen. Setup guide |
How to add a second player on PlayStation
- Connect a second compatible controller and start the game with player one’s controller.
- Open Host/Local, choose Play Single Player, then create or load the character and world.
- After the world is active, have player two press Options on the second controller and follow the prompt to join character creation.
The join prompt can vary with game updates, so follow the installed version’s on-screen instructions if the control differs. The described local setup does not require a second PlayStation account. Sony’s PS Plus note applies to online play; it does not establish a subscription requirement for this local-only setup. PlayStation Store listing · Setup guide
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
ARK: Survival Evolved (PS4) | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
ARK: Survival Evolved - Xbox One | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
ARK: Survival Evolved (Nintendo Switch) | $35.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
ARK: Survival Evolved - Xbox One (Renewed) | $21.26 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
ARK Survival Evolved Definitive Complete Guide & Walkthrough (Latest Update 2025) All Strategies,... | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
How to add a second player on Xbox
- Connect a second compatible controller and start the game as player one.
- Go to Host/Local and choose Host Non-Dedicated Multiplayer Session.
- If desired, mark the session private, then start it.
- Use the second controller’s join prompt when it appears and follow the on-screen steps.
Menu names and join prompts may change between updates; use the labels shown by your installed version. Setup guide
What to expect while playing together
The host owns the continuing world
The second player joins the world player one starts. The reviewed setup guidance says the save and progress are tied to the host’s account and console, so keep that host and console available when you want to resume the same world. Tech News Today setup guide
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Players may be tethered to the host
Local or non-dedicated play can limit how far the second player travels from the host. Exact current distances by platform are not established, so do not rely on a particular meter range. ARK Official Community Wiki: Host/Local Settings
Sharing a screen affects readability
Each player gets less display space than in solo play, which can make menus and text harder to read. A larger screen may make split-screen more comfortable; this is a practical viewing consideration, not a measured performance guarantee. Setup guide
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game. Run too far and not only will you be exhausted, but you will also quickly get hungry and thirsty. Weather effects are based on real-world climates, and so you'll need to hide out from rain and snow, while making the most of sunny days
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Gather Resources, Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes and style of everything from the walls of your home, to your character's armor, weapons and more
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout. Make your way to the final boss and figure out why you've been dropped into this Jurassic-era experience
Rank #2
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
If the second player cannot join
- Confirm the first player has loaded into an active world before trying the second controller’s join prompt.
- Check that the second controller is connected to the same console and use the prompt shown in the current game version.
- On Xbox, make sure the non-dedicated session has actually started; on PlayStation, start or load the single-player world first.
- If you are using a Switch, a second controller will not create same-console split-screen; use a supported PlayStation or Xbox setup for two players on one screen.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
