If That Doesn't Fit Your Bill

Quick note: To use mods while playing with friends, you will need to create a server or use LAN. "Minecraft Realms", however, doesn't support mods.

How to make your Minecraft: Java Edition server or join a friend’s server

Servers are the core building block of "Minecraft"'s multiplayer mode. Each player must share the same server.

There are thousands of Minecraft servers out there that you and your friends could join to play together. For more information on how to join a friend’s or public server, please see the section below. The only downside there is that you'll be sharing these servers with lots of other people you don't know.

If just you and your friends want to have a private game, you can create a Minecraft server for free. It is not an easy task and the server creator will need to be able to access the internet quickly. If this doesn't suit your needs, you can check out the other options.

These are the steps you need to take to either join an existing Minecraft: Java Edition server or create your very own multiplayer server.

How to join the server of a friend in 'Minecraft Java Edition.' Or a public one

If you wish to join a server that a friend made or one you found online, there are thousands of public Minecraft servers. All you need is the correct IP address. While joining a public server will allow you to play multiplayer Minecraft, it will require sharing the server and any other players who have access to the server.

In addition, you can't customize these public servers, since they're made and maintained by someone else. They may not support all of your mods.

There are many servers to choose from, so there is a good chance that you will find one that suits your needs.

Once you have the IP Address of the public server that you desire or your friend's Minecraft server:

1. Select "Multiplayer" from the menu.

2. Click "Add Server."

3. Enter the host server's address in the box "Server Address" and click "Done." This could be an URL or an IP address.

4. Wait for the server connection to complete. Once it appears in the list select it and click "Join Server".

That's how you connect to a pre-existing server. Here's how you can create your own server.

How to create your own "Minecraft: Java" server

Important: The steps below explain how to set a Windows 10 server up. However, the steps will be nearly identical for both Macs and Linux computers.

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Caption: The Minecraft downloads page, where you'll find the .jar file to initiate building a Minecraft server.

1. Firstly, make sure that you have Java downloaded onto your computer. Java can be downloaded and installed free of charge from the Java website. Java SE Development Kit is also required for Mac users.

2. Launch a web browser of your choice and navigate to minecraft.net/download. Scroll down and click "Java Edition Server."

3. Next, find and download Minecraft server software. Put it somewhere you'll find it. The file will have the.jar extension.

4. Make a folder on your computer, name it anything you like, and then place the.jar file that you downloaded inside it. This is where you will keep all your server files.

5. Next, you'll need to create a plain text document. Right-click in the folder and select "New," then "Text Document." Name the text document "start.txt."

Quick note: Using the TextEdit application on a Mac, it is possible to create a.txt text document. You can use the "cat” command in Linux's terminal.

6. Navigate back to the Minecraft server download webpage. Copy the command text as follows:

Notice that the numbers at end of this article may not reflect the latest version "Minecraft".

7. Copy the command text string into your start.txt file.

8. Within the string of command text, you'll see the words "minecraft_server.1.16.5.jar." This section of text will need to be renamed "server.jar". That means that the new line of code will now read:

9. You can also change the RAM allocation for your server in this line of code. You can increase the RAM, but it will cause more stress to your server.

The RAM is determined by two numbers at the beginning of the code. These are the RAM amounts in megabytes. By default, it's set to 1024MB of RAM, or one gigabyte (GB).

For example, a five-player server should have at minimum 2GB RAM. You can change the code to:

One gigabyte is equivalent to 1,024 megabytes in most computer programming situations. Emma Witman/Insider

10. Click File, then click "Save As ..."". From there you can select "Save to type" from a drop down menu. Then select "All files (*. The file should be named "start.bat".

11. Delete the "start.txt” file.

12. Double-click the file "start.bat" to run it. This will open a black command prompt window which will automatically close when the.bat file completes.

13. You'll find some new items in your server folder, including an "eula.txt” document, which stands for End User License Agreement. Open the document. Change the line of text that says "eula=false” so it reads "eula=true."

14. Run the start.bat file again. Your server's world will be generated this time so the wait may be longer.

Technically, your Server is ready to Fire Up Now. You'll also see some new files in your Server folder, including the "server.properties", where you can customize your game.

Your server is only accessible to devices with the same internet access as you. You'll have to set up port forwarding to open up your Minecraft server to users outside your local network.

There are a few ways to set up port forwarding. Instructions specific to your router are available here. Once you have it setup, give your friends the IP address so they can join.

In the meantime though, here are some ways you can explore your new server.

How to join your own Minecraft server, using the computer running the server

1. Start Minecraft while your server's open and running. Select "Multiplayer" to launch Minecraft. 2. In the bottom-right corner, select "Add Server." Enter the number "0" in the "Server Address."

Access to your own server can be done at any time. Emma Witman/Insider

How to use a network server to play "Minecraft", together with people connected via the same internet connection

This is a great way to play with your siblings, roommates, or friends in the same house. LAN servers are also known as local multiplayer server. They allow you to play with anyone connected to the same WiFi or Ethernet network.

Here's how to join a local multiplayer online game.

How to launch and join a LAN-based multiplayer Minecraft game

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Caption: You can access the "Java" pause menu quickly by pressing the "escape" key.

1. One of the players should launch their own game world and go to the pause menu. There they'll select "Open up to LAN."

2. Choose the game mode you want, and click the "Start LAN World" button.

3. The menu will close and the player will see a five-digit port number. This number should be noted down. If it has vanished, press T and the chat box will open to locate it again.

4. The other player, or players, on the same network, should launch their Java-based game. But, instead of jumping into a different world, click "Multiplayer" from the main menu.

5. "Minecraft", which is a program that scans for games on the local network, will automatically begin scanning. When the right world appears, click "Join Server".

6. If it fails to find the server, players should click "Direct Connection". Under "Server Address", enter the IP address of your server. A colon (:), followed by five-digit port number, is required.

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So for example, it might look like:

7. Click "Join Server"

How to use a premade multiplayer server with 'Minecraft Realms'

It's all about the mods for many Minecraft players.

However, if non-modded Minecraft is more than enough, or the idea of creating a server is such a headache that you're willing to pay a small monthly fee, you can opt for "Minecraft Realms."

Realms is a service where Mojang, the company that makes "Minecraft", will build and provide a server. You don't need to make or run it. This is great for those who don't have the computer speed, time, or bandwidth to keep it running.

Here's how "Realms" can be used.

Signing up for Minecraft Realms

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher app, and log into your Mojang or Microsoft account if you haven't already. Click play to launch Minecraft: Java Edition. Once the main menu loads, select "Minecraft Realms".

Open the "Realms” menu. Emma Witman/Insider

2. If you haven't used one already, there'll be an option for a free Realms trial. Otherwise, click "Subscribe." You will be taken to the Realms signup page. This form will allow you to create an account. Even if you are signing up for the one-month trial, make sure you have your payment information.

You will need to enter payment information, even for a free trial.

Creating a server in Realms

1.

2. Give your Realm a name, and add a description if you'd like, then click "Create."

3. You can choose your world type, structure generation preferences, or enter a "seed", if you'd like to recreate a world layout that you are familiar with. Click "Create world" to finish.

Invite other players on your 'Realms’ server

Depending on whether you have a free trial subscription or the higher-tier Realms subscriptions, you will be able to create a realm that is accessible to two or more players. Here are some ways to invite friends to your realm.

1. Open Minecraft from the launcher. Click "Minecraft Realms” in the main menu.

2. For the realm configuration screen, click on the wrench icon to the right of the realm name.

3. Select "Players," on the top-left side of the "Configure a realm" screen.

4. Enter the Microsoft or Mojang playertag for the player that you wish to invite under "Name", then click "Invite player."

You just need to wait for the player accept the invitation. Once they do, they'll be notified in the main menu.

You can also grant invited players "Operator" status, allowing them access to certain in-game commands. Operators can't invite or remove players from the realm.

Joining another player's server using "Realms".

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Caption: Minecraft will inform you about your realms invite by placing an envelope icon on both the main menu or in the realms section.

1. Launch "Minecraft." On the main menu, you should see an envelope icon on the Minecraft Realms option, if you received a Realms invite. Click it.