To play Minecraft with friends, first make sure everyone is using the same edition: Java players join Java games, and Bedrock players join Bedrock games. Then choose a connection method: LAN for players on one local network, a Bedrock friend’s world when its host is online, a server for a separately hosted world, or a Realm for a private world that stays available while its owner is offline.
First, check that everyone has the same edition
Minecraft has Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. They do not ordinarily play together: a Java player cannot join a Bedrock world or server, and a Bedrock player cannot join a Java one. Realms are edition-specific too. An online connection does not remove this compatibility boundary. Check each player’s edition and device before choosing where to meet. Minecraft’s edition guide explains the distinction.
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Keep the game updated and use compatible versions. For Java multiplayer, the server and each client need compatible versions; a server’s administrator should say which version to use. Minecraft notes that players on snapshots or previews may need to switch back to the latest full release to use most servers. Minecraft’s multiplayer requirements cover these prerequisites.
Choose the connection method that fits your group
| Method | Best for | Host availability | Setup and access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrock friend world | Friends who want to use the host’s existing world | The host must be online with the world open | Players need to be friends in Minecraft. The guest opens Play > Friends and selects the host under Joinable Friends. Minecraft’s joining guide |
| LAN | Players on the same local network, such as in one home | The host’s world must be open | Bedrock: enable Multiplayer Game and Visible to LAN Players. Java: open the world to LAN. Guests join the LAN-marked world. Bedrock LAN instructions and Minecraft’s server guide |
| Online server | A separately hosted world or public server | The server must be running; it need not be hosted by one of the players | Java: open Multiplayer and enter the server address. Bedrock: open Play > Servers. Manual server entry is available on computer and mobile; Minecraft Help says consoles are limited to featured servers. Bedrock server guidance |
| Realm | A private hosted world the group can access when its owner is offline | The Realm remains available without the owner online | Choose a Realm for the group’s edition. Invitees can join without buying the owner’s subscription; Java invitees can join when the host is offline. Minecraft Realms and Java Realm joining instructions |
For a one-time session in the same home, try LAN first. If the group is playing Bedrock and the host is available, joining that friend’s world avoids setting up separate hosting. Choose a Realm or server if the world needs to be available independently of a player opening it. A privately run server can involve home-network configuration; Minecraft advises that this is for people who know how to manage it and points less technical players toward Realms. Read Minecraft’s server guidance before configuring one.
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Join a friend’s Bedrock world
- Confirm that both players use Bedrock Edition, have compatible current versions, and are signed in where required.
- Have the host open the world and make sure multiplayer is enabled. The players must be friends in Minecraft.
- On the guest’s device, open Play > Friends, then select the host under Joinable Friends. Minecraft’s instructions for joining a friend’s world describe the flow.
This option depends on the host being online with the world open. If the host needs to leave but the group wants to keep playing, use a Realm or a server instead.
Start a LAN game
LAN is for devices connected to the same local network. It is not a way to connect players in different homes over the internet.
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Bedrock Edition
- The host opens the world’s settings and enables Multiplayer Game and Visible to LAN Players.
- Guests on the same network open Minecraft and look for the host’s world marked as a LAN game.
Everyone needs a device that supports Bedrock LAN play and a current, compatible game version. Minecraft notes that when players are connected as Minecraft friends and online, Bedrock may use online play rather than LAN by default; they can still play together over the internet. See Minecraft’s Bedrock LAN guidance.
Java Edition
- The host opens the single-player world.
- Open the pause menu and select Open to LAN, then start the LAN world.
- Guests on the same local network open Multiplayer and join the LAN game when it appears.
Menu wording can change with game updates. If the LAN game does not appear, check the edition, version, and whether every device is really on the same network before trying another method.
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- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Join a server or set up a persistent world
Join an existing server
Use a server intended for the group’s edition and game version. In Java, open Multiplayer and add or join the server using its address. In Bedrock, open Play > Servers. Minecraft Help says computer and mobile players can manually add a Bedrock server; console players are limited to featured servers. When an address requires a port, Minecraft Help lists 19132 as the default Bedrock server port. The server owner may use a different port, so use the address and port they provide. Minecraft’s Bedrock server FAQ.
For public servers, review the server description and choose one you trust. A server’s own rules and moderation practices matter; do not assume every public server offers the same experience.
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- The classic UNO card game builds fun on game night with a Minecraft theme.
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Use a Realm
A Realm is a hosted private world for players using the same edition. Invitees can join without buying the owner’s subscription, and the world is available while the owner is offline. The Realms page says the number of friends invited can exceed the number allowed to play simultaneously, so check the active-player limit rather than treating invite count as capacity. Minecraft’s Realms page lists current plans and features.
At the time reflected on Minecraft’s US Realms page in 2026, Bedrock Realms is listed at $3.99 USD per month for the owner plus two other simultaneous players; Bedrock Realms Plus is $7.99 USD per month for the owner plus ten; and Java Realms is $7.99 USD per month. These are page-displayed US monthly prices and limits, not a guarantee of the price or plan available in another region or at a later date. Check the official page before subscribing.
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Check accounts, permissions, and platform requirements
Minecraft Staff’s server guide says players need to be signed in with a Microsoft Account to play multiplayer. Minecraft Help specifies Microsoft account sign-in for console and mobile players, and says child accounts need multiplayer permission enabled. The exact steps to change child-account settings depend on the account setup; if multiplayer is blocked, have the parent or account manager review the child’s account permissions. Check Minecraft’s multiplayer requirements.
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Fix a failed join in a useful order
- Confirm the edition. Everyone must be on Java or everyone on Bedrock. Realms do not bridge the two editions.
- Check versions. Update the game and confirm that the server supports the players’ versions. If using a snapshot or preview, try the latest full release for a server that does not support previews.
- Check availability. Make sure the friend’s world is open, or that the Realm or server is online. A Bedrock friend world is not persistent when its host closes it.
- Check access. Confirm the guest is invited or friends with the host as required, and that the host has multiplayer enabled.
- Check account permissions and subscriptions. Look for child-account multiplayer restrictions and any console online-play requirement.
- Check the connection and address. For LAN, confirm devices share the same local network. For a server, re-enter the exact address and any port the server owner supplied. The default Bedrock port listed by Minecraft Help is 19132, but a server can specify another.
If those checks do not resolve it, the cause may be specific to the device, account, server, or network. Minecraft’s multiplayer requirements and Bedrock server FAQ are the best starting points for platform-specific guidance: multiplayer requirements and Bedrock server FAQ.
Play safely with other people
Minecraft Staff’s server guide warns: “Never share your personal details.” Do not share your real name, location, contact details, or password in a game or server chat. Use trusted servers and read their descriptions before joining. Minecraft’s guide to playing on a server.
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