The fastest way to join a friend depends on which version of Minecraft you own

If your friend is playing Minecraft Java Edition and has opened their world to LAN (Local Area Network), you can join directly from the multiplayer menu without any setup. If they are playing Minecraft Bedrock Edition, you can join through the Friends list if you are both signed into Microsoft accounts. If neither of those works — because your friend is far away, playing on a server, or you own different versions — you will need to use a third-party tool like Hamachi or join a shared server.

The method that works depends on three things: which version of Minecraft each of you owns, whether you are on the same home network, and whether your friend's computer is set up to accept connections. Start by confirming which version you both have, then follow the path that matches your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players on the same home network can join through LAN without any account setup or third-party software.
  • Bedrock Edition players must both sign into Microsoft accounts and add each other as friends before joining worlds.
  • If you own different versions or play from different networks, you will need a server or a tool like Hamachi to connect.
  • The host player must pause the game and explicitly open their world to multiplayer before anyone else can join.
  • Port forwarding and firewall settings can block connections even when everything else is set up correctly.

Joining a Java Edition friend on the same home network

Java Edition is the original Minecraft for PC. If you and your friend are both on the same WiFi or wired network, the simplest path is LAN play. Your friend must start their world, pause the game, and select "Open to LAN" from the pause menu. They will see a message showing the port number — write this down or take a screenshot.

On your computer, open Minecraft Java Edition and go to Multiplayer. Click "Direct Connection" and enter your friend's IP address followed by a colon and the port number (for example: 192.168.1.5:25565). Click Join Server. If you do not know your friend's local IP address, they can find it by opening Command Prompt on Windows and typing ipconfig, then looking for the number next to "IPv4 Address" under their active network connection.

LAN play works only while both computers are on the same network and the host player has the world open. If your friend closes Minecraft or switches to a different world, you will be disconnected.

Joining a Bedrock Edition friend through Microsoft accounts

Bedrock Edition is the version that runs on Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. To join a friend's world in Bedrock, both of you must be signed into Microsoft accounts within the game. Open Minecraft Bedrock, go to the main menu, and select "Sign in with Microsoft" if you are not already signed in. Your friend does the same.

Once you are both signed in, go to the Friends tab in the main menu. Find your friend's name in your friends list and select their profile. If they have an active world open and have set it to allow friends to join, you will see a "Join" button. Click it. You will load into their world.

Your friend does not need to do anything special to enable this — as long as they are signed in and playing in a world, friends can join by default. However, they can restrict this by going to Settings > Multiplayer and toggling "Multiplayer Game" off, which will prevent anyone from joining.

Joining a friend on a different network using Hamachi

If you and your friend are not on the same home network, or if one of you plays Java and the other plays Bedrock, a third-party tool like Hamachi can create a virtual private network so your computers can "see" each other as if they were on the same network.

read Hamachi from logmein.com. Install it on both your computer and your friend's computer. Create an account or sign in. In Hamachi, create a new network or ask your friend to send you an invite to their network. Once you are both in the same Hamachi network, you can use the LAN method described above — your friend opens their Java world to LAN, and you connect using their Hamachi IP address (which Hamachi displays in the client) instead of their local network IP.

Hamachi is free for small groups. The connection may be slower than playing on the same home network because traffic is routed through Hamachi's servers, but it works reliably for casual play.

Joining a friend on a public or private server

If your friend runs a Minecraft server or rents space on a shared server, you join by entering the server address in the Multiplayer menu. Ask your friend for the server IP address and port number. In Minecraft Java Edition, go to Multiplayer, click "Add Server," enter a name for the server, paste the address and port, and click Done. In Bedrock Edition, go to Servers, click "Add Server," and enter the same information.

Servers work the same way whether you are on the same network or on opposite sides of the world. The server runs continuously on a host computer or a rented host service, so you can join whenever the server is online, even if your friend is not playing at that moment.

Some servers require a password or whitelist — your friend may need to add your username to a list before you can join. Ask them whether the server has any restrictions before you try to connect.

Troubleshooting when you cannot see or join your friend

If you are both signed into Microsoft accounts in Bedrock but your friend does not appear in your Friends list, make sure you have actually added each other as friends. Go to your profile, select "Friends," and search for their username. Send a friend request and wait for them to accept it. Until they accept, you will not see their world in the join menu.

If you are trying to use LAN and the Direct Connection button does not work, check that your firewall is not blocking Minecraft. On Windows, open Windows Defender Firewall, click "Allow an app through firewall," find Minecraft Java Edition in the list, and make sure it is checked for both Private and Public networks. If Minecraft is not in the list, click "Allow another app" and browse to your Minecraft installation folder to add it manually.

If you can see your friend's server in the list but cannot join, the server may be full, offline, or blocking your IP address. Ask your friend to check that the server is running and that you are not banned. If the server is full, you may need to wait for a slot to open.

Understanding the difference between Java and Bedrock multiplayer

Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are separate games with separate multiplayer systems. A Java player cannot join a Bedrock world, and a Bedrock player cannot join a Java world, even if you are on the same network. This is a hard limit built into how each version works.

If you and your friend own different versions, your only options are to play on a server that supports both (rare and usually requires mods), or to both purchase the version you want to play together. Java Edition is cheaper and has more mods and servers. Bedrock Edition is more convenient for casual play and works across devices like Xbox and Switch.

Check which version you own by looking at the launcher. Java Edition shows "Minecraft: Java Edition" at the top. Bedrock Edition shows "Minecraft" or "Minecraft for Windows" and displays a Gamepass option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play with my friend if we are in different countries?

Yes, as long as you both have internet access. Use a server, Hamachi, or Bedrock's built-in friends system. LAN only works on the same home network, so it will not work across countries. Servers and Hamachi will have higher latency (delay) the farther apart you are, but both work.

What if my friend's world is not showing up in my friends list?

Make sure you have added each other as friends in your Microsoft account and that your friend is actually in the world and has not disabled multiplayer in their settings. It can take a few minutes for the world to appear after they join. Try closing and reopening the Friends tab.

Do I need to pay to play with friends?

No. Minecraft itself costs money, but once you own it, playing with friends is free. Hamachi is free for small groups. Servers may charge a monthly fee if your friend rents one, but many free server options exist.

Why does my connection keep dropping when I play with my friend?

This usually means your internet connection is unstable or your firewall is interfering. Try restarting your router and Minecraft. If you are using Hamachi, restart the Hamachi client. If the problem continues, ask your friend to check their internet speed and whether they are running other programs that use a lot of bandwidth.

Can I join my friend's world if they are not playing right now?

Only if they are running a server. If they are just playing in a regular world on their computer, that world only exists while Minecraft is open. Servers run continuously, so you can join anytime the server is online, whether or not your friend is playing.