What a Realm is and how to find one
A Realm is a private Minecraft world that runs on Microsoft's servers and stays online even when you are not playing. You can join a Realm if the owner has sent you an invitation, either through the Realms menu in the game or through a direct link. The owner controls who can join, what the world looks like, and whether players can build or just explore.
When you start Minecraft, you will see the main menu with buttons for Singleplayer, Multiplayer, and Realms. Click the Realms button to see any invitations waiting for you. If someone has invited you to their Realm, it will show up in this list with the Realm's name and the owner's name. You do not need to search for Realms or type in a code — the invitation is the only way to join.
Key Takeaways
- You can only join a Realm if the owner has sent you a direct invitation through the game or a link.
- On console or mobile, you need a Microsoft account linked to your device before you can join any Realm.
- Once you accept an invitation, the Realm appears in your Realms list and you can enter it whenever the server is running.
- The Realm owner controls what you can do in the world — some allow building, others let you only explore or play mini-games.
- If you lose the invitation or it expires, ask the owner to send it again through the Realms menu or a new link.
Setting up your Microsoft account on your device
Before you can join any Realm, you need a Microsoft account linked to the device you are playing on. This is how Minecraft knows who you are and which Realms you have been invited to. On PC, this usually happens automatically when you launch the game. On Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox, you need to sign in to your console account first, then link it to a Microsoft account in the game settings.
On mobile (iOS or Android), open Minecraft and tap the profile icon in the top right. Tap "Sign in with Microsoft" and follow the prompts. You will be taken to a web page to log in or create a free Microsoft account. Once you are signed in, close the browser and return to the game — you are now ready to see Realm invitations.
How to accept a Realm invitation
When someone invites you to their Realm, you will see a notification in the Realms menu the next time you open the game. The invitation shows the Realm's name, the owner's name, and a button to accept or decline. Click or tap "Accept" to add the Realm to your list. The Realm will then appear every time you open the Realms menu, and you can enter it whenever you want.
If you receive an invitation through a link instead of in-game, click the link on your phone or computer. It will open Minecraft or ask you to open it, and the invitation will appear in your Realms menu. Some owners share links this way because it works across devices — if you accept on your phone, the Realm will also show up on your PC or console.
Joining the Realm and what to expect
Once you have accepted the invitation, click the Realm's name in your Realms list to enter it. The world will load just like a single-player world, but it is hosted on Microsoft's servers instead of your device. You will spawn in the location the owner has set, usually near other players or at a central meeting point. The Realm stays online all the time, so if you leave and come back later, the world will be exactly as you left it.
When you first join, check the Realm's rules or description — the owner may have posted them in a sign, a book, or a message. Some Realms have building areas where you can create freely, others have protected zones you cannot change, and some are just for exploring or playing games the owner has built. If you are not sure what you are allowed to do, ask the owner or another player who has been there longer.
Troubleshooting connection and permission issues
If you accepted an invitation but the Realm does not show up in your list, make sure you are signed into the same Microsoft account on your device. If you are on console, check that your console account is linked to that Microsoft account in the settings. If you are still not seeing it, ask the owner to send the invitation again — invitations can expire after a few weeks if you do not accept them.
If you can see the Realm but cannot enter it, the server may be temporarily offline or full. Realms can only hold a certain number of players at once — if the owner has set the limit to 4 players and 4 are already in the world, you will have to wait for someone to leave. If the Realm is offline, the owner needs to turn it back on from their Realms menu. If you keep getting kicked out, your internet connection may be unstable — try moving closer to your router or restarting your device.
What to do if you lose access or the invitation expires
If you accidentally declined an invitation or it expired before you accepted it, you cannot retrieve it yourself. Contact the owner and ask them to send it again. They can do this from their Realms menu by clicking on the Realm, going to Members, and finding your name in the invite list. They can resend the invitation from there, or they can generate a new link and send it to you directly.
If you want to leave a Realm permanently, you can remove it from your list by clicking the three dots next to the Realm's name and selecting "Remove." This does not delete the Realm or affect other players — it just removes it from your menu. If you change your mind later, ask the owner to invite you again.
Realms on different devices and cross-platform play
A single Realm works across all devices — PC, console, and mobile can all play in the same world together. When you accept an invitation on one device, it shows up on all your other devices as long as you are signed into the same Microsoft account. You can start playing on your PC, leave, and pick up where you left off on your phone or Switch.
The only exception is Java Edition on PC, which uses a different system called "Realms Plus" and cannot join the same Realms as console or mobile players. If you are playing Java Edition, ask the owner whether their Realm is Java or Bedrock Edition. If it is Bedrock, you will need to play on a different version of Minecraft to join.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to join a Realm?
No. Only the owner pays a subscription to keep the Realm running. You can join for free if you have been invited. The owner decides whether to keep the Realm public or private, and they control who gets in.
What if the owner stops paying for the Realm?
The Realm will go offline and you will not be able to enter it. The owner can read the world and turn it into a single-player world, or they can restart the subscription later. Your progress in the Realm is saved on Microsoft's servers, so if the owner renews it, everything will still be there.
Can I invite other people to a Realm I joined?
No, only the owner can send invitations. If you want to bring a friend, ask the owner to invite them. The owner can see a list of all members and can add or remove people from the Realms menu.
Why does the Realm say it is full?
The owner has set a player limit for the Realm, and that many people are already inside. You will have to wait for someone to leave before you can join. The owner can increase the limit in their Realms settings if they want more players at once.
Can I play on a Realm offline?
No. Realms are always hosted on Microsoft's servers, so you need an internet connection to play. If your connection drops, you will be kicked out of the world. Single-player worlds work offline, but Realms do not.