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Most Minecraft worlds do not have a shareable address. The right way to let someone join depends on whether you use Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, a LAN world, a Realm, or a dedicated server. For a Java LAN game, the other player usually needs your computer’s local IP address and the temporary port Minecraft displays. For a normal Bedrock world or a Realm, use a friend invitation or Realm membership instead.
If by “world address” you mean a place inside the world, you need coordinates, not an IP address. Coordinates such as X: 120, Y: 64, Z: -300 identify an in-game location.
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First, identify your Minecraft edition and setup
Menu names and joining methods differ between editions. If the title screen says Minecraft: Java Edition, follow the Java instructions below. Minecraft for Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS use Bedrock Edition. Java and Bedrock have separate multiplayer ecosystems and do not normally join the same worlds or servers directly; check the edition and compatibility before exchanging an address. Minecraft explains the edition differences here.
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|---|---|
| Java world on the same local network | Your local IP address plus the LAN port shown in Minecraft |
| Bedrock world, online | A Microsoft/Xbox friend connection and an invitation or join through Friends |
| Bedrock LAN world | Usually no address; find the LAN-marked world in the Worlds tab |
| Realm | Realm membership, invitation, invite code, or share link |
| Dedicated or hosted server | The address and, if needed, port from the server owner |
Java Edition: find the address for a LAN world
This method is for players on the same local network, such as the same home Wi-Fi. The host must keep the world open. Opening a single-player world to LAN does not make it available over the internet.
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- EXPLORE — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.
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On the host computer
- Open the world.
- Press Esc and select Open to LAN.
- Choose the game mode and whether cheats are enabled. Choose a port if the option is available, or let Minecraft select one automatically.
- Select Start LAN World.
- Look for a chat message like
Local game hosted on port 54321. Write down the number: the port can change each time you open the world to LAN.
Next, find the host computer’s local IPv4 address. It is usually a private address such as 192.168.1.25, not 127.0.0.1 or localhost.
- Windows: Open Command Prompt, run
ipconfig, and find IPv4 Address under the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. - macOS: Open Terminal and run
ipconfig getifaddr en0. If that returns nothing, tryen1, or check the active connection in System Settings → Network. - Linux: In Terminal, run
hostname -Iorip addr. Use the private IPv4 address for the active network interface.
Give the joining player the local IP and port together, in this format:
192.168.1.25:54321
On the joining player’s computer
- Open Multiplayer.
- Select Direct Connection (or Add Server to save it).
- Enter the complete
IP:portaddress from the host. - Select Join Server.
The exact address format and Java joining flow are covered in Minecraft’s server guide. Use the LAN port Minecraft displayed rather than assuming a fixed port for every LAN game.
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- EXPLORE — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.
- SURVIVE — Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile, and PC.
Java LAN connection checks
- Both computers must be on the same local network. A local address such as
192.168.1.25generally will not work for someone joining from another home. 127.0.0.1andlocalhostrefer to the computer using them. They are not the host’s address for another player.- The host must still have the world open. If the host closes it or starts a new LAN session, the old port may no longer work.
- Guest Wi-Fi isolation, a VPN, router settings, or a firewall can block connections between devices. Check the firewall’s Minecraft/Java permissions and make sure the devices can communicate on the network.
- Use compatible Minecraft versions. A version mismatch can prevent a connection; Minecraft’s server guide also notes that the client version needs to match the server.
Bedrock Edition: join a normal online world through Friends
A regular Bedrock personal world does not usually give you an IP address to share. Add each other through the Microsoft/Xbox friends system, then invite the player from the game. The friend can join from Play → Friends → Joinable Friends while the host is in the world. See Minecraft’s guides for joining a friend’s online Bedrock world and inviting friends and checking multiplayer permissions.
Host checklist for Bedrock invitations
- Sign in with a Microsoft account where required, and add the other player as a friend.
- In the world’s settings, enable Multiplayer Game and check the player-access setting under Settings → Multiplayer.
- Start the world, pause, select Invite to Game or the available social control, choose the friend, and send the invitation.
- The friend should look under Play → Friends, not try to join a normal personal world using Add Server.
- Check that both players have compatible, current versions. Console players may also need the platform’s online multiplayer service; child-account permissions can block multiplayer.
Bedrock Edition: join a LAN world
Bedrock LAN games are normally discovered in Minecraft rather than joined by typing an IP address. Minecraft’s LAN support instructions say the host must enable multiplayer and LAN visibility, and players must be on the same local network.
Host
- Select Play, then the pencil icon beside the world.
- Open the Multiplayer tab.
- Enable Multiplayer Game and Visible to LAN Players.
- Start the world.
Joining player
- Connect to the same local network.
- Select Play and open the Worlds tab.
- Find the world marked LAN and select it.
If no LAN world appears, check LAN-game visibility using the network control at the top of the Worlds tab. Minecraft’s current support instructions also describe a LAN case requiring a local network without an active internet connection, noting that Bedrock may default to online play when internet is available. Because this is an unusual, platform- and setup-sensitive instruction, consult the official LAN help page for the current details rather than assuming it applies identically to every device or network.
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Realms: use membership or an invitation, not a world IP
A Realm is a cloud-hosted private Minecraft world. The host normally gives friends access through Realm membership, an invitation, an invite code where available, or a share link—not the Realm’s IP address. After accepting a Bedrock Realm invitation, the Realm appears in the player’s available Realms list; the joining player does not need their own Realms subscription. See Minecraft’s Bedrock Realm joining guide.
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Realms can be useful when friends need to play while the host is offline; a normal open-to-LAN world cannot do that. A Realm is optional, though: for occasional local play or a Bedrock friend’s online world, LAN discovery or the built-in friend invitation may be enough.
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Dedicated or hosted server: ask the administrator
If the world runs on a dedicated server or a third-party host, get the server address from its owner or administrator. It may be a domain such as play.example.net or a dotted IP address, sometimes followed by a port. Do not guess the address or port.
- Java: Use Multiplayer → Direct Connection or Add Server.
- Bedrock: Where supported, use Play → Servers → Add Server, then enter the address and port provided by the administrator.
Confirm that your edition and game version are compatible with that server. A server address is different from a home LAN address: the latter is usually reachable only by devices on that local network. Someone hosting a server at home may need to configure a public endpoint, router/NAT, firewall, and (often) port forwarding for outside players. Simply finding a private local IP does not make the world internet-accessible. Port forwarding exposes a service to the internet, so do not share or configure it casually; use the server owner’s instructions and secure the server appropriately.
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- World name: The label in your Worlds list. It does not tell another player how to connect.
- Coordinates: An in-game location such as X: 120, Y: 64, Z: -300. Share them if you want someone to find a place inside a world they can already access.
- Seed: Information used to generate a world; it is not a connection address.
- IP address and port: Network details used to reach a server endpoint, when that multiplayer setup requires them.
- Realm invitation or link: An access method for a Realm, not the Realm’s IP address.
Commands such as /locate structure find structures inside a world; /seed reveals the seed. Neither finds a multiplayer address.
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Quick troubleshooting checklist
- Confirm the setup: Java LAN, Bedrock friend world, Bedrock LAN, Realm, or server? Use the matching join method above.
- Check edition and version: Java and Bedrock do not normally connect directly, and versions must be compatible.
- For Java LAN: Make sure both players share the same network, the host world is still open, and you entered the host’s current local IP plus the displayed port.
- For Bedrock online: Confirm both players are signed in and friends, multiplayer is enabled, the host is in the world, and account or console permissions allow multiplayer.
- For Bedrock LAN: Confirm both devices are on the same LAN and Visible to LAN Players is enabled.
- For a Realm: Accept the invitation or use the current private link, and verify membership/access.
- For a server: Ask the administrator to verify the address, port, edition, version, and whether the server is online.
- If only the host can connect: Check firewall permissions, VPN routing, router client isolation, and the host’s network configuration.
For more on joining online servers and the addresses administrators provide, see Minecraft’s official multiplayer guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Minecraft world have an IP address?
No. A normal single-player world has no shareable address. Depending on the setup, friends join through Bedrock’s Friends or LAN features, Realm access, or a dedicated server address. Java LAN is the common personal-world case that uses a local IP and temporary port.
What port do I use for a Java LAN world?
Use the port shown in the host’s chat after selecting Open to LAN. It can be different each time; do not assume a fixed port.
Can I use coordinates as a world address?
No. Coordinates identify a location inside a world someone can already join. They do not connect a player to the world.
Can someone join while the host is offline?
Not a normal Java LAN world or a typical Bedrock personal world; the host must have it running. A Realm or an always-on dedicated server can remain available while its owner is offline.
Is it safe to share my IP address?
A local IP is generally useful only on your local network. Avoid posting network details publicly; for internet-hosted servers, share only the endpoint intended for players and understand that exposing a service requires careful configuration.
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