If That Doesn't Fit Your Bill

Quick note: If you want to use mods while you're playing with your friends, you'll have to make a server or use the LAN method. "Minecraft Realms", however, doesn't support mods.

How to make your own 'Minecraft: Java Edition' multiplayer server, or join a friend's

Servers are the core building block of "Minecraft"'s multiplayer mode. Everyone playing together must be on the same server.

There are thousands of Minecraft servers out there that you and your friends could join to play together. To learn how to join either a friend's or public server, see the section below. There is one downside to this: you will be sharing these servers alongside many 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 work for you, there are 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 a friend’s 'Minecraft Java Edition' server, 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.

These public servers can't be customized because they're maintained and made by someone else. And they probably won't support most of the mods you use.

That said, there are so many different servers that there's a good chance you'll always be able to find one to suit your needs.

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

1. Launch "Java" and select "Multiplayer."

2. Click "Add server."

3. In the "Server Address" box, enter the host server's address and click "Done." This might be an IP address, or a URL.

4. Wait for the server to connect, and when it appears in the list, select it and click "Join Server."

This is how to connect to a pre-existing web server. If you'd like to create your own server, here's how.

How to create your own "Minecraft: Java" server

Important: The steps below show how to set-up a server on Windows 10. The steps for Linux and Mac computers should be the same.

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

1. Best minecraft servers First, ensure that Java is installed on your computer. Java can be downloaded and installed free of charge from the Java website. You'll also need the Java SE Development Kit for Mac.

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

3. Next, find and download Minecraft server software. Put it somewhere you'll find it. The file will contain a.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, create a plaintext document. Right-click the folder and select "New," followed by "Text Document." Name the text file "start.txt."

Quick note: You can create a.txt file on a Mac using the TextEdit app. You can use "cat" in Linux to open the terminal.

6. Navigate back to the Minecraft server download webpage. Copy the command text, which reads:

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

7. Paste the string of command text into your start.txt document.

8. Within the string of command text, you'll see the words "minecraft_server.1.16.5.jar." This portion of the command text will need renamed to "server.jar". This will change the code line to read:

9. You can also modify the RAM allocation of your server using this line. The more RAM you provide, the faster your server will run and the less stress it will put on your computer.

The RAM is determined using the first two numbers in the code line. These numbers are the RAM amounts in megabytes (MB). It defaults to 1024MB RAM or one gigabyte, (GB).

For example, a server hosting five or more players must have at least 2GB RAM. You can adjust this code by changing the code:

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

10. Click File, then "Save as ..."" and you will be able to select "Save as type" in a drop-down menu. Next, choose "All Files (*. Name the file "start.bat"

11. Delete the "start.txt” file.

12. Double-click "start.bat", to run it. It will open a black command prompt that will close automatically once the.bat file finishes.

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 and replace the line of code stating "eula=false” with "eula=true."

14. Run the start.bat again. The wait will be longer than before, as your server's world is being generated this time.

Technically, your server is ready to fire up now, and you'll also see a few new files in your server folder, including the "server.properties" file where you can customize your game.

However, right now your server is only accessible to devices using the same internet connection as you. You'll have to set up port forwarding to open up your Minecraft server to users outside your local network.

There's a few different ways to set up port forwarding, and instructions you'll need specific to your router can be found here. Once you have it set up, share your IP address with your friends 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. Launch Minecraft while your server is open and running, and select "Multiplayer." 2. Select "Add Server", in the bottom right corner. In the "Server Address" box, simply enter the number "0".

You can access your own server at any time.Emma Witman/Insider

How to use a server on LAN to play "Minecraft", with others connected to 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: By pressing the "escape", you can quickly access the "Java” pause menu.

1. One player should launch a game world solo and enter the Pause menu. From there, they'll select "Open To LAN."

2. Select the game mode and allow cheats from the menu. Click the "Start LAN World" button.

3. The menu will then close and the player's "port" number will be displayed. This number is important to note 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" game, but rather than jump into a world, click the "Multiplayer" option from the main menu.

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

6. If it fails to find the server, players should click "Direct Connection". This menu will allow you to enter the IP address for the computer hosting your server.

It might look like this, for example:

7. Click "Join Server".

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

For a lot of Minecraft players, it's all about the mods.

If non-modded Minecraft is too much or you don't want to create a server, you can opt for "Minecraft Realms."

Realms is a service where Mojang, the company that makes "Minecraft", will build and provide a server. It doesn't require you to make it or run the server, which is great if time, bandwidth or computer speed are not available.

Here's how "Realms" can be used.

Sign up for Minecraft Realms

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher app, and log into your Mojang or Microsoft account if you haven't already. Play to launch Minecraft: Java Edition. After the main menu loads, choose "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. If you do not wish to subscribe, click "Subscribe". You'll be taken to a Realms signup form. Use it to create an account and subscription. Be sure to have payment info handy, even if you're signing up for the free one month trial.

Even for a free trial, you will need to enter your payment information.

Realms Server Creation

1.

2. Give your Realm name and add a description, then click "Create."

3. Set your world type and structure generation preferences, and enter a "seed" if you want to recreate a world layout you're familiar with. Click "Create world" to finish.

Invite other players on your 'Realms’ server

Depending on whether you have a free trial or the higher-tier Realms subscription, you'll be able to create a world accessible to two players, or up to 10 players. Here's how to invite one or many friends to your realm:

1. Start Minecraft from the launcher. Select "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. On the screen "Configure realm", select "Players" from the top-left.

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 a server of another player with "Realms".

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Caption: Minecraft will make sure you know about your realms invite with an envelope icon on the main menu and in the realms menu.

1. Launch "Minecraft." You will see an envelope icon on your main menu. This is if you received an invite to Minecraft Realms. Click it.