Playing Minecraft With Friends: LAN, Servers, and Realms

The Main Ways to Play Together

Minecraft is perfectly playable alone, but multiplayer is where a lot of the game opens up. Building a base is more entertaining when someone else is stealing the good chest, fighting creepers is less stressful with backup, and large projects are much easier when more than one player is placing blocks.

There are three common ways to play Minecraft with friends. A LAN world works when everyone is on the same local network. Minecraft Realms is Mojang's built-in subscription option for simple private worlds. A hosted server is the most flexible option, especially if you want mods, plugins, custom settings, more players, or a world that stays online when your own computer is off.

The best choice depends on where everyone is playing, which edition of Minecraft they use, and how much control you want over the world.

Using a LAN World

LAN stands for local area network. In plain terms, it means players are connected to the same internet network, usually the same home Wi-Fi. If a friend is at your house and connected to your network, a LAN world is the quickest way to play together.

LAN is useful for a small local session, but it is not meant for friends in another city or country. For that, use Realms or a server.

Open a World to LAN

1. Launch Minecraft and load the single-player world you want to share.
2. Press `Esc` to open the game menu.
3. Select Open to LAN.
4. Choose the game mode for joining players.
5. Decide whether cheats should be allowed.
6. Select Start LAN World.

Minecraft will show a message with the local port number. Players on the same network should now be able to find the world from the multiplayer menu.

Join a LAN World

1. Open Minecraft.
2. Select Multiplayer.
3. Wait near the bottom of the server list while Minecraft scans for local games.
4. Look for a listing named LAN World, usually shown with the host player's username and world name.
5. Double-click the listing, or select it and press Join Server.

If the LAN world does not appear, confirm both players are on the same network, the host world is still open, and firewall settings are not blocking Minecraft.

Hosting a Minecraft Server for Friends

A dedicated Minecraft server is usually the best long-term option. It lets players connect from different locations, keeps the world available more reliably, and gives the owner control over the version, difficulty, whitelist, mods, plugins, and configuration files.

Servers are also the best choice for modded Minecraft on Java Edition. If the plan is to run Forge, Fabric, Paper, Spigot, or a modpack, a server gives you far more room to customize than a basic LAN world or Realms setup.

Technically, you can host a server from a home computer. For most groups, hosted Minecraft server plans are easier because they avoid common problems like port forwarding, uptime, DDoS protection, and performance tuning. HolyHosting provides Minecraft server hosting with a control panel, server files, and connection details so you can focus on playing instead of arguing with your router.

One important edition note: most console versions of Bedrock Edition, including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, do not join arbitrary third-party servers as directly as PC and mobile Bedrock clients. Bedrock servers are easiest to join from Windows, iOS, and Android. Console support can require extra network workarounds, so check your platform before choosing a setup.

Create a Hosted Server

1. Choose a Minecraft server hosting plan that fits your expected player count and server type.
2. Complete the order and create the server.
3. Open your hosting control panel after setup finishes.
4. Find the server address, usually shown as an IP address or hostname plus a port.
5. Share the address only with players you want to invite, unless you are making a public server.

For a private friend group, enable a whitelist if available. That keeps random visitors out, which is useful unless your ideal evening involves explaining why someone built a dirt tower in spawn.

Joining a Java Edition Server

Java Edition uses the multiplayer server list. You need the server address, and sometimes a port if it is not already included in the address.

1. Open Minecraft: Java Edition.
2. Select Multiplayer from the main menu.
3. Select Add Server.
4. Enter any label you want in Server Name.
5. Enter the server IP address or hostname in Server Address.
6. Select Done.
7. Choose the server from the multiplayer list and select Join Server.

If the server uses a custom port, the address may look like `example.server.com:25565`. If you cannot connect, confirm the server is online, your Minecraft version matches the server version, and any required mods are installed on your client.

Joining a Bedrock Edition Server

Bedrock Edition uses a slightly different menu and separates the address from the port.

1. Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
2. Select Play.
3. Open the Servers tab.
4. Select Add Server.
5. Enter any name in Server Name.
6. Enter the IP address or hostname in Server Address.
7. Enter the server port in the Port field.
8. Select Save.
9. Scroll to the saved server and join it.

Bedrock server ports are often different from Java server ports, so copy the details exactly from the server panel or from whoever owns the server.

Playing With Minecraft Realms

Minecraft Realms is the official built-in subscription service. It is designed for simple private multiplayer and is easy to manage from inside Minecraft. Realms can be a good fit if you want a small vanilla world with minimal setup.

The tradeoff is control. Realms has player limits, fewer customization options, and no normal plugin support. For modded Java servers, public communities, advanced settings, or larger groups, a hosted server is usually a better fit.

Create a Realm on Java Edition

1. Open Minecraft: Java Edition.
2. Select Minecraft Realms.
3. Select Buy Realm or choose an available subscription option.
4. Follow the account and payment steps on Minecraft's website.
5. Return to the Realms menu after purchase.
6. Select the Realm and press Play.

If you already have a Realm listed, use the subscription or configuration options shown in that same menu.

Invite Friends to a Java Realm

1. Open the Realms menu.
2. Select Configure Realm.
3. Open the Players tab.
4. Select the add player button.
5. Enter your friend's Minecraft username and send the invite.

The invited player can open Minecraft Realms, check the invitation icon, select the Realm, and press Play.

Create a Realm on Bedrock Edition

1. Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
2. Select Play.
3. Stay on the Worlds tab.
4. Select Create New if you are signed in with a Microsoft account.
5. Choose whether to create a fresh world or use an existing template.
6. Follow the Realms subscription steps shown in-game.

Some accounts may see a trial option. Availability changes by account and platform, so use whatever option Minecraft shows in the menu.

Join a Bedrock Realm

1. Ask the Realm owner for an invite.
2. If you own the Realm, select the pencil icon beside the Realm name.
3. Open Members.
4. Use the share or invite option to add friends.
5. Friends can accept the invite after signing in with their Microsoft account.

Invited Bedrock players can usually find the Realm from the Friends tab and join from there.

Which Option Should You Pick?

Use LAN if everyone is in the same location and you only need a quick session. It is free, fast, and simple, but it only works locally and depends on the host keeping the world open.

Use Realms if you want a small private vanilla world with very little setup. It is convenient, especially for casual cross-platform Bedrock play, but it is limited compared to a full server.

Use a hosted server if you want the most control. Servers are better for mods, plugins, larger groups, custom worlds, public communities, and always-online access. For many friend groups, this is the option that grows with the world instead of forcing the world to stay small.

Once everyone has the correct edition, address, and invite method, playing Minecraft together is straightforward. The hard part is agreeing on whether the first house should be practical or shaped like a giant chicken. Choose carefully. That decision follows a group forever.