How to add tracked players to your minimap

Xaero's Minimap shows you where other players are on your server, but it only tracks them after you add them to your list. You add players by typing a command in the chat box while in-game, then they appear as dots on your minimap. The process takes about 10 seconds per player and works the same way whether you're on a multiplayer server or a realm.

The command you use is /xaero addwaypoint followed by the player's exact username. Xaero reads this command and stores that player's name in its tracking list. Once added, the minimap updates their position every few seconds as they move around the world.

Key Takeaways

  • You add players by typing /xaero addwaypoint [playername] in the chat box, using their exact username as it appears in the player list.
  • Tracked players show up as colored dots on your minimap and update their position in real time as they move.
  • You can track as many players as you want, and each one gets a different color so you can tell them apart.
  • To stop tracking a player, type /xaero removewaypoint [playername] in chat, and they disappear from your minimap.
  • Your tracked player list saves automatically and stays the same even after you close and reopen Minecraft.

The exact command and where to type it

Open your chat box in-game by pressing the T key (or whatever key you have bound to chat). Type the command exactly as it appears: /xaero addwaypoint PlayerName, replacing PlayerName with the actual username of the player you want to track. The username must match exactly what you see in the player list — if their name is JohnSmith123, typing johnsmith123 or John Smith will not work.

Press Enter to send the command. Xaero will confirm the addition with a message in your chat. The player's dot now appears on your minimap, usually in a color that stands out from the background. If you get an error message instead, double-check that you spelled the username correctly and that the player is actually on your server.

Finding the exact player username

The safest way to get the correct spelling is to open your player list while in-game. Press Tab to see all players currently connected to your server. Hover over or click on the player's name and copy it directly — this removes any chance of a typo. Then paste it into your command: /xaero addwaypoint [paste name here].

If you are on a server with name prefixes (like [Admin] or [VIP] before the player's name), those prefixes are not part of the username. Use only the actual player name, without any brackets or titles. For example, if the player list shows "[Admin] Steve", you would type /xaero addwaypoint Steve.

What the tracked player dots look like

Each tracked player appears as a small dot on your minimap. The first player you add is usually red, the second blue, the third green, and so on. Xaero cycles through a set of colors automatically, so you can tell different players apart at a glance. The dot updates its position every few seconds, so you see roughly where the player is moving in real time.

If a player goes offline or leaves the server, their dot disappears from the minimap. When they rejoin, the dot reappears in their new location. You do not have to re-add them — they stay on your tracked list permanently until you remove them.

Removing a tracked player from your list

To stop tracking a player, type /xaero removewaypoint PlayerName in chat, using their exact username. Their dot vanishes from your minimap when ready, and they are removed from your tracked list. You can add them back later if you change your mind — the command works the same way.

If you want to remove all tracked players at once, you can delete them one by one using the remove command, or you can access Xaero's settings menu and clear the list from there. The settings menu is usually accessed by clicking the minimap itself or pressing a hotkey you set during installation.

Tracking limits and performance

Xaero's Minimap can track as many players as you want without slowing down your game. Most servers have fewer than 50 players online at once, so you will rarely hit any practical limit. Even if you track 20 or 30 players, the minimap updates smoothly and does not cause lag.

The only limit is your own ability to keep track of that many dots. On a crowded server, tracking everyone becomes visually cluttered. Most players track only their friends, teammates, or people they want to keep an eye on — usually between 3 and 10 players at a time.

Tracked players on different servers

Your tracked player list is separate for each server or realm you join. If you add a player named Alex on Server A, that does not automatically track an Alex on Server B. This is by design — it prevents confusion when different servers have different players with the same name.

When you rejoin a server you have played on before, your tracked list for that server loads automatically. You do not have to re-add players every time you log in. If you switch to a different server, Xaero loads that server's tracked list instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track players who are in a different dimension?

No. Xaero's Minimap only shows players in the same dimension as you. If you are in the Overworld and a tracked player is in the Nether, their dot does not appear. When you both return to the same dimension, the dot reappears. This is a limitation of how Minecraft sends player data to mods.

What if two players have the same name?

This should not happen on legitimate servers, because Minecraft does not allow duplicate usernames. If you see what looks like the same name twice, one of them is probably a nickname or has a space or special character you cannot see. Copy the name directly from the player list to be sure you have the right one.

Do tracked players know I am tracking them?

No. Xaero's Minimap is a client-side mod that runs only on your computer. Other players cannot see your minimap or know who you are tracking. The command you type is visible in chat to everyone on the server, but the tracking itself is private.

Can I change the color of a tracked player's dot?

Not directly through a command. Colors are assigned automatically in the order you add players. You can change colors through Xaero's settings menu if you open it, but most players leave the default colors as they are. The important thing is that each player gets a different color so you can tell them apart.

What happens if I track a player and then they change their username?

The old username stays on your tracked list, but the dot no longer appears because that username no longer exists. You would need to remove the old name and add their new username as a separate entry. This is rare — most players keep the same username for years.