The fastest way depends on which version you own

Minecraft has three separate versions — Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, and Realms — and each one invites friends differently. Java Edition (the original PC version) uses a system called multiplayer servers. Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, Windows 11, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile) uses Xbox Live accounts and a simpler invite menu. Realms is a subscription service that runs its own server for you. The method you use depends entirely on which version is installed on your device.

Check which version you own by opening Minecraft and looking at the title screen. If it says "Minecraft: Java Edition" at the top, you have Java. If it just says "Minecraft" without "Java", you have Bedrock. Both are legitimate versions — Java is older and more moddable, while Bedrock runs on more devices and is easier to play with friends.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition requires you to either run a server yourself, use a free hosting service, or join a friend's world through their IP address.
  • Bedrock Edition lets you invite friends directly through the game menu if you are both on Xbox Live, which is free to set up.
  • Realms is a paid subscription ($8 per month) that handles the server for you and works on most Bedrock devices.
  • The easiest method for most people is Bedrock Edition with Xbox Live, because the invite happens inside the game with no setup required.
  • Java Edition multiplayer requires more steps but gives you full control over who joins and what happens in the world.

Inviting friends in Bedrock Edition

If you own Bedrock Edition, the invite process is built into the game. Open Minecraft and start or load a world. Pause the game and look for a button labeled "Invite to Game" or "Invite Friends" — the exact wording depends on your device, but it appears in the pause menu. Tap or click it, and the game shows a list of your Xbox Live friends who are currently online.

Your friends must have a free Xbox Live account to receive an invite. They do not need to own Game Pass or pay anything — a basic Xbox Live account is all that is required. When you send an invite, it appears in their notifications. They click or tap it, and they join your world when ready. You can invite up to eight players total in a single world on most devices, though Nintendo Switch limits this to four.

If a friend does not appear in your friends list, you need to add them first. On most devices, you can search for their Xbox gamertag in the friends menu and send a friend request. They must accept it before you can invite them to a world. This takes a few minutes but only happens once per friend.

Inviting friends in Java Edition

Java Edition does not have a built-in invite system like Bedrock. Instead, you have three options: run a server yourself, use a free server hosting service, or have your friend join through your IP address if you are on the same network.

The simplest method for casual play is LAN (Local Area Network) mode. Open your world in single-player, pause the game, and click "Open to LAN". The game generates a port number and displays it on screen. Give this number to your friend along with your computer's IP address. They open the multiplayer menu, click "Direct Connection", paste your IP address and port number, and join. This only works if you and your friend are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected through a VPN.

For friends who are not on your network, you need a server. The easiest free option is Aternos (aternos.org), which hosts a Java server for you at no cost. You create an account, start a server, and share the server address with your friends. They add it to their multiplayer server list and join. The server shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity to save resources, but you can restart it anytime. Other free options include Minehut and Nitrado, though they have similar limitations.

If you want a server that stays online all the time, paid hosting services like Apex Hosting or GameServers cost between $3 and $10 per month depending on the number of players. These are optional — free hosting works fine for small groups of friends.

Using Minecraft Realms for hands-off multiplayer

Realms is a subscription service that runs a server for you without any setup. You pay $8 per month (or $30 for three months), and the game automatically hosts a world that up to ten of your friends can join. It works on Bedrock Edition across Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

To start a Realm, open Bedrock Edition, click "Create New" on the main menu, and select "Create on Realms". Choose your world settings, pay the subscription, and the server starts when ready. Your friends see a "Realms" tab in the main menu where they can find and join your world. Unlike free hosting, your Realm stays online all the time and automatically backs up your world every few hours.

Realms is worth the cost if you want a permanent world that you and your friends can visit anytime without worrying about servers shutting down or needing to restart them. For occasional play sessions, free hosting or LAN mode is usually enough.

Troubleshooting common invite problems

If your friend cannot see your invite in Bedrock Edition, check that they have accepted your friend request and that both of you are signed into Xbox Live. Sometimes the notification takes a minute to appear. Ask them to close and reopen the game if the invite does not show up within a few minutes.

In Java Edition, if your friend cannot connect through LAN, make sure you both are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the port number is correct. If they are trying to join a server and it says "Connection refused", the server may be offline or full. Check Aternos or your hosting service to confirm the server is running. If the server is running but they still cannot connect, ask them to restart their game and try again.

If your friend joins but when ready gets disconnected, the issue is usually a network problem on their end. Ask them to move closer to the router or restart their internet connection. On Java Edition servers, lag can also cause disconnects — if this happens repeatedly, the server may be overloaded or your friend's internet may be too slow for that server.

What happens after your friend joins

Once your friend is in the world, they can build, mine, and play just like you. In Bedrock Edition, you can set permissions for each player — you can prevent them from breaking blocks, opening containers, or attacking mobs if you want to protect your builds. Open the pause menu, go to "Players", select your friend's name, and adjust their permissions.

In Java Edition, the server owner (usually the person running the server) can use commands to set permissions, but this requires typing commands into the console. For casual play with friends you trust, you usually do not need to worry about permissions — just let them play freely.

If you want to stop playing with someone, you can remove them from the world. In Bedrock, go to the players menu and remove them. In Java Edition on Aternos or another hosting service, you can ban their username from the server settings. They will not be able to rejoin unless you unban them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I invite friends if I do not have Xbox Live?

In Bedrock Edition, you need a free Xbox Live account to send or receive invites. Creating one takes a few minutes and costs nothing. In Java Edition, you do not need Xbox Live — you just need to share a server address or IP address with your friend.

What if my friend plays on a different device than me?

Bedrock Edition works across Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile, so friends on different devices can play together if you all have Bedrock. Java Edition only runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, so Java players can only play with other Java players. You cannot mix Java and Bedrock in the same world.

Do I need to pay for a server to play with friends?

No. Free options like Aternos work fine for small groups. Paid servers are optional and only worth it if you want a server that never shuts down or you are hosting for many players at once.

Can I invite someone who is not my friend yet?

In Bedrock, you must add them as a friend first through Xbox Live. In Java Edition, you can share a server address with anyone, and they can join without being on your friends list — you do not need to add them first.

What if someone joins my world and I want them to leave?

In Bedrock, you can remove them from the players menu. In Java Edition, you can ban them from the server settings so they cannot rejoin. Either way, they are when ready disconnected.