The fastest way depends on which version you own

Inviting someone to your Minecraft world takes different steps depending on whether you play Java Edition (the original PC version) or Bedrock Edition (the newer cross-platform version on Windows, consoles, and mobile). Java Edition uses a system called "Realms" or local network play. Bedrock Edition uses Microsoft accounts and built-in invite features. Both work, but the path is different.

If you are not sure which version you own, check your launcher. Java Edition shows a dirt block icon and says "Minecraft: Java Edition" at the top. Bedrock Edition says "Minecraft" without "Java" and has a different launcher design. The version matters because the invite methods do not cross over — you cannot invite a Bedrock player into a Java world through the same system.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players can invite friends through Realms (a paid subscription) or by opening their world to LAN (local network) play for free.
  • Bedrock Edition players invite through the pause menu by searching for a friend's Microsoft account username, and both players must be online.
  • Realms costs about $8 per month and keeps your world running even when you are offline, while LAN play requires both players on the same network.
  • Console players (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) use their system's built-in friend list and invite through the pause menu, not through Minecraft itself.
  • If an invite does not work, the most common cause is that the invited player has not accepted the friend request yet or is playing a different version.

Inviting friends in Java Edition using Realms

Realms is the official way to run a persistent Java world that stays online. You create a Realm (which costs money), and then invite people by their Minecraft username. To start, open the Minecraft launcher, click "Singleplayer," select your world, click the pencil icon to edit it, and look for "Open on Realms." This converts your world to a Realm and charges your account.

Once your Realm is active, click "Configure Realm" and then "Players." Type in the exact Minecraft username of the person you want to invite and click the plus icon. They will receive an invite notification in their launcher. They accept it, and the world appears in their "Multiplayer" list. Realms subscriptions renew monthly and can be cancelled anytime, but your world data stays saved for 18 months after you stop paying.

Inviting friends in Java Edition using LAN play

LAN (local area network) play is free and works if you and your friend are on the same WiFi network or connected by ethernet. Open your world in Singleplayer, press Escape, and click "Open to LAN." A message appears saying "Local game hosted on port [number]." Your friend opens Multiplayer, and your world should appear in the server list automatically. They click it and join.

LAN play closes when you close the world, so it only works while you are actively playing. It also does not work across the internet — only on the same local network. If your friend does not see your world in the list, make sure you are both on the same WiFi and that neither of you has a firewall blocking Minecraft.

Inviting friends in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition (Windows 10 and 11, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) uses Microsoft accounts to manage invites. Open your world, press Escape or the menu button, and look for "Invite to Game" or "Invite Players." Search for your friend by their Microsoft account username (not their display name). If you have not added them as a friend yet, you may need to send a friend request first through the Xbox app or your console's system menu.

Once you send an invite, your friend gets a notification on their device. They accept it, and they join your world. The world stays open as long as you are playing in it. If your friend is offline, they can accept the invite later and join the next time you open that world. Unlike Java Realms, Bedrock worlds do not stay running when you are offline unless you are using a Realm (a separate paid subscription also available in Bedrock).

Inviting friends on console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)

Console versions of Minecraft use your system's built-in friend list, not Minecraft's own invite system. On Xbox, add your friend through the Xbox dashboard, then open Minecraft, start or load a world, press the menu button, and select "Invite to Game." Your friend gets a notification on their console. On PlayStation, use the PlayStation Network friends list, then invite through the pause menu inside Minecraft. On Nintendo Switch, add friends through the Switch system settings, then use the in-game invite option.

Console invites work only if both players own the game and are on the same console family (Xbox to Xbox, PlayStation to PlayStation, Switch to Switch). Cross-platform play between different consoles is not possible through invites, though some games support it through other methods. Make sure your friend request has been accepted before you try to invite them.

What to do if an invite does not work

The most common reason an invite fails is that the invited player has not accepted the friend request yet. Check your friends list and make sure the status shows "Friend" rather than "Pending" or "Blocked." If it is still pending, ask your friend to check their notifications and accept it.

The second most common issue is version mismatch. If one person plays Java Edition and the other plays Bedrock, they cannot join the same world through invites. They would need to play on a third-party server that supports both versions, which is beyond the scope of a standard invite. Make sure both players own the same version.

If you are using LAN play in Java Edition and your friend cannot see the world, restart the Minecraft launcher on both computers and make sure you are both on the same WiFi network. If you are using Realms and the invite was sent but not received, ask your friend to restart their launcher — sometimes notifications take a moment to appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to invite friends?

No. LAN play in Java Edition is free. Bedrock worlds are free to share with friends as long as you are playing. Realms (Java or Bedrock) costs money but is optional — it is only necessary if you want your world to stay online when you are not playing.

Can my friend join if they are on a different device?

It depends on the version. Bedrock Edition supports cross-device play — a friend on Windows can join a world hosted by someone on Xbox or mobile. Java Edition does not support cross-device play through standard invites. Both players must own the same version.

How many people can join one world?

In Bedrock, up to 8 players can join a single world at once. In Java Edition with Realms, up to 11 players can be invited, though only a few can play at the same time depending on your internet speed. LAN play in Java supports as many players as your network can handle, usually 4 to 8 before lag becomes noticeable.

What happens to my world if I cancel Realms?

Your world data is saved for 18 months after your subscription ends. You can read it as a file and play it in Singleplayer, or you can resubscribe to Realms and it will be there. After 18 months, the data is deleted.

Can I invite someone who does not have me added as a friend yet?

In Bedrock, you usually need to be friends first. In Java Realms, you can invite by username even if they have not added you back. On console, you need to be friends through your system's friend list before you can invite them to a game.