Minecraft is one of the most popular games, and even in single-player mode, it’s a super fun experience. But you can elevate the game by playing Minecraft with friends. If you don’t know how to do this, you have various options to choose from.
If you only want to play the game with friends who live nearby, you can simply join the right local network. Alternatively, you can play with friends from different parts of the world using public servers. But for ultimate control and performance, you can host your own dedicated Minecraft server.
In this post, we’ll share four ways to play Minecraft with friends. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each option to help you choose what’s best for you. Let’s jump right in!
1. Join a LAN World
If you only want to play Minecraft with friends who live close by, the simplest method is to create a LAN world. This involves players connecting to your local network, so it isn’t possible to play with people who live further afield.
Before you get started, there are some important factors to consider. First, you’ll have to make sure that you’re running the same version of Minecraft as the host. You can check your version number at the bottom of the main menu.
Additionally, each player has to connect to the same network to join. And, each player will also need to set up a Microsoft account.
How to Play Minecraft LAN: Bedrock Edition
If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition and you want to start a LAN world, you’ll need to select Play on the Minecraft title screen. Then, click on the pencil icon beside the world you want to play in (or create your own).
After that, navigate to the Multiplayer tab and check that the Visible to LAN Players option is enabled. Then, you can start the game.
Other players can join by selecting the Play button on the title screen. They’ll then need to switch to the Friends tab and look out for your LAN game.
How to Play Minecraft LAN: Java Edition
If you play Minecraft Java Edition, you’ll need to launch Minecraft and click on Single Player. Similarly, you can either create a new world or open an existing one.
Once inside, press the Esc key and click on Open the LAN. Here, you can choose which game mode you want to set for players. For example, Survival is the default mode, but you can also select Creative mode or Adventure mode.
Finally, click on Start LAN World. Now, other players on the same network can start the game and select the Multiplayer option. It should only take a while for their computers to automatically detect your game.
2. Join a Public Server
If you want to play with people all over the world but you don’t want to set up your own server, you can join Minecraft public servers instead.
However, since anyone can set up a public server, you should be careful about which ones you join. There’s no guarantee that the server is secure, or that it’s built for high-performance gaming.
Plus, you can run into technical issues when you try to establish a connection. Therefore, it’s best to stick to reputable servers like Lifeboat. In fact, Minecraft has an official server listing site to help you join safe servers.
If you want to play Minecraft Bedrock Edition on a public server, select Play from the Minecraft title screen. Then, navigate to the Servers tab and choose your preferred online server.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, scroll to the bottom and click on Add Server (note this option is only available on PC and mobile). You’ll then need to enter the server name, server address, and port (which you can get from the server owner).
To join a Minecraft Java Edition server, navigate to the Multiplayer screen. Once there, click on Add Server and enter the unique IP address into the Server Address box.
You’ll also need to enter a server name and port. Then, press Done. In the multiplayer tab, you should see the server you just added. All you need to do now is click on Join Server.
3. Use Minecraft’s Built-In Realms
If you don’t want to use a server, you can use Minecraft’s built-in realms. Realms are officially hosted servers that you have to pay for, and they’re available for Java and Bedrock.
Realms can be more convenient than setting up your own server. That said, there are lots of limitations, so they aren’t always worth it.
For example, realms don’t let you use Minecraft plugins/mods and they only accommodate up to ten players. Additionally, there’s no way to change the settings which might be frustrating for experienced players.
How to Use Realms for Minecraft Java Edition
If you want to create a Realms server, you’ll first need to purchase a subscription from the Minecraft website. You can activate a 30-day free trial to test realms first.
Then, open Minecraft and click on Minecraft Realms. Here, you’ll see the option to create and configure your realm.
For example, you can give the realm a name and description, and use pre-made worlds or maps. If you’re happy with the default Survival mode, simply double-click on the realm. Or, you can click on Configure to change the world options.
When you’re ready to invite players to join the realm, return to the Realms page, highlight the one you want to use, and select Configure (the wrench icon). Then, click on Players > Invite Players and enter your friend’s username.
But, if you’re joining a friend’s realm, go to the top of the Realms page and click on Pending Invites (the envelope icon). Here, you can see all the realms you’ve been invited to, so simply accept the invite to join.
How to Use Realms for Minecraft Bedrock Edition
If you want to create a Minecraft Bedrock realm, the process is a little different. You’ll need to launch Minecraft and log into your Microsoft account. Then, click on Play > Create New.
You have the option to create a new world or select an existing template. Click on Create and define your realm size.
The two-player realm enables two players and the owner to play simultaneously. Or, you can opt for the ten-player realm. Make your selection and click on Buy Now.
You can name the realm and accept the terms and conditions. Then, either select Subscribe Now or Start Free Trial. This will redirect you to the store platform to complete the transaction.
Once you’re ready to invite friends, select Play and click on the pencil icon beside your realm. Here, choose Manage Realm > Members. You should be able to see an Xbox Live friends list. But, you can also find friends (by typing in a player’s Gamertag), or generate a link to send to others.
If friends have invited you to join their realms, you’ll need to access your Minecraft settings. Go to General > Account and select Manage Realms membership invites. Simply accept the invite for the realm you want to join.
4. Host Your Own Minecraft Server
Another way to play Minecraft with friends is to set up a dedicated server to host the game. This makes it possible to play with more than ten players (as opposed to realms). And, you can connect with friends in all parts of the world (unlike LAN).
Additionally, you’ll be able to completely customize the gaming experience. For example, you can control user access, modify or upgrade the game’s hardware, and much more.
You can run a server from your PC, but it’s best to set up a server with a dedicated Minecraft host. There are plenty of options, but NameHero offers a great selection of Minecraft plans:
Some of these packages can accommodate over 30 players. Plus, you can see exactly how much RAM, CPU, and storage you’ll get (and easily scale up resources if needed).
NameHero also provides comprehensive backups, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, and 24/7 support. And, you’ll get access to an advanced gaming panel where you can start/stop the server and make your modifications.
When you purchase a plan, you’ll receive an IP address and port via email. You can also find this information in the client area.
All you have to do is launch Minecraft, click on the Multiplayer option, and select Add Server. Enter a server name and paste your IP address into the Server Address box. Then, click on Done.
Now, you’ll be able to see your server on the Multiplayer screen, so you can join it any time. Your friends will have to follow the same steps to add the server to Minecraft and join your game.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to level up your gaming experience, it might be time to play Minecraft with friends. You can play with other gamers in your area or connect with people across the world. Plus, there are options for all kinds of technical abilities.
To recap, here are four ways to play Minecraft with friends:
- Joining a LAN network is the simplest option but you’re limited to players that are nearby.
- Joining public servers enables you to play with people across the globe, but you might run into technical issues.
- Using built-in realms is a convenient solution but certain settings are extremely limited and it can be expensive.
- Hosting your own Minecraft server is a high-performance option that gives you complete control over the gaming experience.
At NameHero, we automatically set up your Minecraft server for you. Then, you can manage and customize your server via the dedicated client area. Plus, we have plans for all budgets, and the top-tier package even supports over 30 players. Check out our Minecraft hosting plans!
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