How to Play Minecraft With Friends: Multiplayer Guide to Join Different Online World

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Feb 22, 2025, 10:07 IST

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Discover various ways to enjoy Minecraft multiplayer with friends, from local LAN play to online servers and Mojang-hosted Minecraft Realms. Explore different setups like free server hosting with Minefort and cross-platform play options. Dive into the comprehensive guide for a seamless experience and elevate your gameplay through collaborative adventures.

How to Play Minecraft With Friends: Multiplayer Guide to Join Different Online World

Image via Mojang

Minecraft is an interesting game, and the experience becomes more exciting when you play it with friends. So, whether you wish to collaborate on the massive builds, compete in the PvP battles or embark on survival adventures, the multiplayer mode provides endless fun. In the given guide, we will explore varied ways to play Minecraft with friends. From simple LAN connections to online servers and Realms, the content will give a guide for using all.

Choose the Best Multiplayer Option

Before you jump in, decide how you wish to play. Some of the best ways to connect with your Minecraft fans include,

Local LAN play- it’s best for the players in the same Wi-Fi network. No server is required.
Online Servers- host or join the dedicated Minecraft server for the persistent multiplayer experience.
Minecraft Realms- easy-to-set-up and paid private server that is Mojang hosted.
External Hosting (Minefort)- free server hosting offers better customization and more control options.

Choosing Local LAN World

If you and your friends are within the same location or are connected to the same network, LAN play will be the simplest method.

Java Edition

Open Minecraft. Load the single-player world.
Press ESC. Select Open to LAN.
Adjust the settings, such as cheats and game modes.
Click on Start LAN world. A message will show the port number.
Your friends could enjoy it too by selecting the Multiplayer. Then, Direct Connect and enter the IP address of the host with the port.

Bedrock Edition

Click on Play and then Pencil Icon in your world.
Enable the option- Visible to LAN Players from the Multiplayer settings.
Start the game. Your friends can find your world under the Friends tab.

Join the Public Minecraft Server

The public servers allow users to connect with players worldwide. To join one, choose either of the options.

Java Edition

Click Multiplayer and then select Add Server.
Enter the IP address and the name of the server.
Click on Done. Then select Server and choose Join Server.

Bedrock Edition

Click on Play and then Select the Servers tab.
Choose the official server or click on Add Server.
Enter IP address, Server name and port.
Click on Save. Then, select the players you wish to join the game.

Set-Up the Minecraft Realm

Minecraft Realms is the official multiplayer hosting service of Mojang. It is perfect for those who want the private world without any technical setup.

Java Edition

Purchase the Realms subscription.
Click on Minecraft Realms and then Create and Configure.
Name the Realm and select the world options.
Click on Invite Players. Enter the username of the player you wish to join.

Bedrock Edition

Click Play, select Create New and then choose New Realm.
Select the 2-player or 10-player Realm. Then, purchase the subscription.
Click on Manage Realm and then choose Members to invite your friends.

Hosting Your Minecraft Server

If you want to have complete control, hosting the dedicated server will always be the best option. For it, you can use platforms, including Minefort, for creating the free servers.

Setting Server with Minefort

Visit the website www.Minefort.com and create an account.
Click on Create Server and customize the settings.
Start the server and then share the IP address with your friends.
Your friends can join by selecting Multiplayer and entering the server's IP.

Cross-Platform Play on Minecraft

Minecraft supports cross-platform play between Bedrock Edition Devices like consoles, PC and mobile. Just add the friends using their Minecraft username. Then, invite them to your world.
For the Java Edition, cross-play with the Bedrock is not officially supported. However, tools like GeyserMC allow the Bedrock players to connect to the Java servers easily.

Why Choose Minefort for the Minecraft Server?

Minefort is a great option to host Minecraft servers due to,

Free use
Easy setup
Full customization
Scalability and
Optimized performance

End Note

To play Minecraft with your friends would take the game to another level. No matter if you are setting up the LAN world, using Minecraft Realms, joining the public servers, or even hosting your dedicated server, there is a better option for all. Just pick the method that works right for you. Invite your friends and then? Start your adventure.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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