The fastest way to invite a friend depends on which version you own
Minecraft Mobile has two separate versions — Minecraft (the Bedrock Edition, made by Microsoft) and Minecraft Java Edition — and they use different invitation systems. If you own Minecraft Bedrock on your phone or tablet, you send invites through the Realms menu or by joining the same server. If you own Java Edition on mobile through a third-party launcher, the process is different and depends on which launcher you use.
The simplest path for most players is the Realms system, which lets you create a private world that friends can join directly. You do not need to know your friend's exact username or coordinate server addresses — you just send them an invite link and they accept it in the game.
Key Takeaways
- Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version most people own on mobile) uses Realms or multiplayer servers to invite friends, and both require you to know your friend's Microsoft account username.
- Realms is the easiest method because you create a private world, send an invite link, and your friend joins directly without setting up a server.
- If you do not have Realms, you can invite friends to join you on a multiplayer server, but both of you must be on the same network or use a third-party server.
- Your friend must own a copy of Minecraft Bedrock on their device and have a Microsoft account to receive and accept your invite.
- Java Edition on mobile works differently depending on which launcher you use, and most mobile launchers do not support the standard Java multiplayer system.
Inviting friends through Minecraft Realms (Bedrock Edition)
Realms is a subscription service that Microsoft runs, and it is the most straightforward way to play with friends on Minecraft Mobile. When you create a Realm, Microsoft hosts the world on their servers, so your friend does not need to be on your home network or know your IP address. You straightforward send them an invite code or link, and they join your world.
To invite a friend through Realms, open Minecraft and tap the Play button. Look for your Realm in the list — it will show a crown icon next to the name. Tap the Realm, then tap the Edit Realm button (the pencil icon). Scroll down to Players and tap Invite Player. Type your friend's Microsoft username exactly as it appears in their account. Tap the checkmark to send the invite. Your friend will receive a notification in their Minecraft menu and can accept the invite to join your world.
Realms costs a monthly subscription (the price varies by region and subscription length), but Microsoft offers a free trial period when you first create a Realm. If you do not want to pay for Realms, the alternative is to invite friends to a multiplayer server, which is free but requires more setup.
Inviting friends to a multiplayer server without Realms
If you do not have a Realms subscription, you can still invite friends to play together on a multiplayer server. The easiest option is to use a free public server that both you and your friend join. Open Minecraft, tap Play, then tap Servers. Look for a server you want to join and tap it. Your friend can join the same server by finding it in their own Servers list.
The downside of public servers is that you are playing with strangers, and you cannot control who joins your world or what happens to your buildings. If you want a private server with only your friends, you will need to either rent a server from a hosting company (which costs money) or set up a local area network (LAN) world if you are on the same WiFi network.
To create a LAN world, open Minecraft and start a new world or load an existing one. Tap the pause menu, then look for Invite to LAN or Multiplayer settings. Your friend must be connected to the same WiFi network. They can then see your world in their server list and join directly. This method is free and private, but only works if you are physically near each other on the same network.
What your friend needs before they can join
Before you send an invite, make sure your friend has everything required. They must own a copy of Minecraft Bedrock Edition on their device — this is the version sold through the Microsoft Store, Google Play, or the Apple App Store. They also need a Microsoft account, which is free to create. If they have never played Minecraft before, they will need to launch the game at least once and sign in with their Microsoft account before they can receive or accept an invite.
If your friend has Java Edition instead of Bedrock Edition, they cannot join your Bedrock world. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are separate games that do not connect to each other. You can check which version your friend owns by looking at the app icon — Bedrock shows the Minecraft logo with a colorful cube, while Java shows a blocky Steve character. If your friend owns Java Edition, they would need to purchase Bedrock Edition separately to play with you on mobile.
Troubleshooting when an invite does not go through
If your friend does not receive your invite, the most common reason is that you typed their Microsoft username incorrectly. Microsoft usernames are case-sensitive and must match exactly. Ask your friend to tell you their username by opening Minecraft, tapping the menu button (three horizontal lines), and checking their profile name. Copy and paste it into the invite field rather than typing it by hand.
Another common issue is that your friend is not signed into their Microsoft account in Minecraft. If they are playing offline or with a local account, they will not receive invites. Have them sign out and sign back in with their Microsoft account. If they have never done this before, they may need to create a Microsoft account first — this is free and takes a few minutes.
If you are using Realms and your friend still cannot see the invite, check that your Realm subscription is active. If your subscription expired, the Realm closes and invites stop working. You can renew your subscription in the Minecraft menu under Realms to reopen the world.
Playing together on Java Edition mobile
Java Edition on mobile is more complicated because most mobile devices do not run Java Edition natively. If you are playing Java Edition through a third-party launcher like PojavLauncher or MultiMC, the multiplayer system depends on which launcher you use and which server you connect to. Some launchers support direct multiplayer invites, while others require you to join a shared server address.
The most common setup for Java Edition on mobile is to join a public server or a private server that you rent from a hosting company. You and your friend both connect to the same server address, and you meet in the world that way. This is different from Bedrock's Realms system and requires more technical knowledge to set up. If you are new to Java Edition multiplayer, ask your friend which server they use and have them send you the server address to connect to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I invite friends if I do not have a Microsoft account?
No. Minecraft Bedrock requires a Microsoft account to send or receive invites. You can create one for free at microsoft.com. If you are playing with a local account on your device, you will need to sign in with a Microsoft account first.
What happens if my friend joins my Realm and I go offline?
Your friend can keep playing in the Realm even after you leave. The world stays on Microsoft's servers, so it does not depend on your device being on. When you come back online, your friend's progress will still be there.
Can I invite someone who plays Minecraft on a computer or console?
Yes, if they own Bedrock Edition. Bedrock runs on mobile, computer, and console, and all versions can play together in the same world. Java Edition (which runs on computers) cannot join Bedrock worlds, but Bedrock on computer can join Bedrock on mobile.
Do I need WiFi to play with friends on mobile?
Yes. Minecraft Mobile requires an internet connection to join multiplayer worlds, whether through Realms, a server, or LAN. You can use WiFi or mobile data, but you cannot play multiplayer offline.
What if my friend owns Minecraft Java Edition and I own Bedrock?
You cannot play together in the same world. Java and Bedrock are separate games. Your friend would need to purchase Bedrock Edition to play with you on mobile, or you would need to play Java Edition on a computer to play with them.