You need to open the Realm settings and change that player's permission level
To make another player an operator (or "op") in your Realm, open the Realm from the main menu, select Settings, then go to Members. Find the player you want to promote, select them, and change their permission level from Member to Operator. The change takes effect when ready, and that player can now use operator commands and modify the world.
You must be the Realm owner to change someone's permission level. If you are not the owner, you cannot promote other players, even if you are already an operator yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Only the Realm owner can promote players to operator status; operators cannot promote other players.
- Go to Realm Settings, then Members, to find the player and change their permission level.
- Operators can use commands like /give, /teleport, and /time, and can edit the world in survival mode.
- You can change a player back to Member status at any time from the same menu.
- The player does not need to restart the game for the change to take effect.
What operators can actually do in your Realm
An operator has more power than a regular member but less than the Realm owner. Operators can use slash commands like /give (to hand out items), /teleport (to move players), /time (to change day and night), and /weather (to change rain or clear skies). They can also change the game mode for themselves and others between survival and creative.
Operators can edit and build in the world even in survival mode, which regular members cannot do. They cannot, however, change Realm settings, invite new players, remove players, or promote other operators. Those actions are locked to the owner only.
Step-by-step: promoting a player to operator
On any platform (console, PC, or mobile):
- From the main menu, select your Realm.
- Click or press Settings (usually a gear icon).
- Select Members from the left menu.
- Find the player you want to promote in the list.
- Select that player's name.
- Change the dropdown from Member to Operator.
- Confirm the change (the button text varies by platform).
The player will see their new status the next time they open the Members list or rejoin the Realm. They do not need to leave and come back for commands to work.
Removing operator status or kicking a player
If you need to take away operator powers, go back to Members, select the player, and change their level back to Member. They will keep their inventory and buildings but will no longer be able to use commands or edit in survival mode.
To remove a player from the Realm entirely, select their name in the Members list and choose Remove Player. This action is permanent and cannot be undone from the settings menu. The player's items and builds stay in the world, but they can no longer join.
Common operator commands to teach new ops
Once someone is an operator, they can use commands that change how the Realm works. Some of the most useful ones are:
- /give @s diamond 64 — gives the operator 64 diamonds
- /tp @s 100 64 200 — teleports the operator to coordinates 100, 64, 200
- /time set day — sets the time to morning for everyone
- /weather clear — stops rain and clears the sky
- /gamemode creative @s — switches the operator to creative mode
New operators often do not know these commands exist. Showing them a few basic ones can help them understand what their new role can do. Commands are the same across Java and Bedrock editions.
Why you might not see the Members menu
If you open Settings and do not see a Members option, check that you are looking at the Realm settings, not the world settings. On some platforms, you may need to scroll down in the Settings menu to find Members. If the option is still missing, make sure you are signed in with the account that owns the Realm.
On Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, the Members menu is sometimes nested under a different label. Look for "Players" or "Manage Players" if "Members" does not appear. The function is the same regardless of the label.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an operator promote another player to operator?
No. Only the Realm owner can change permission levels. Operators cannot promote other players, even if they have been operators for a long time. If you want to add more operators, you must do it yourself from the Members menu.
What happens to an operator's builds if I remove their operator status?
Their builds stay in the world and belong to them. Removing operator status only takes away their ability to use commands and edit in survival mode. All their blocks, items, and structures remain untouched.
Do operators need to restart the game to use their new powers?
No. The change takes effect when ready. If an operator is already in the Realm when you promote them, they can start using commands right away without leaving or rejoining.
Can I make someone an operator if they have not joined the Realm yet?
No. The player must join at least once so their name appears in the Members list. After they join, you can promote them to operator even if they are not currently online.
What is the difference between an operator and the Realm owner?
Operators can use commands and edit the world, but the owner controls everything: inviting players, removing players, changing Realm settings, and promoting operators. Only one person can be the owner, but you can have multiple operators.