Creating a private VRChat instance means launching your own separate copy of a world that only people you invite can enter

A VRChat instance is a separate server copy of a world. When you create an invite-only instance of a VRChat chess world, you get your own version that runs independently from the public one. Only people you send an invite link to can join. This is different from joining a public instance where anyone can walk in.

The process takes about two minutes and requires nothing beyond your VRChat account. You do not need to own the world or have special permissions — any player can create a private instance of any world they can access.

Key Takeaways

  • Private instances are created from within VRChat by selecting "Invite Only" when you launch a world, not through a website or separate tool.
  • You share the instance invite link with specific people, and only those people can join your copy of the world.
  • The instance stays active as long as at least one person remains in it; it closes automatically when the last person leaves.
  • You can invite people by sending them the instance link directly, or by using VRChat's friends list to invite them while they are online.
  • Invite-only instances are free and work the same way whether you are using VRChat on PC, PlayStation, or Meta Quest.

How to launch an invite-only instance from the world menu

Open VRChat and navigate to the world you want to play chess in. When you see the world's page, look for the launch button. Instead of clicking "Launch World" directly, click the small arrow or menu icon next to it — this opens launch options.

Select "Invite Only" from the instance type menu. VRChat will then create a new private instance and launch you into it. You will see a confirmation that the instance is invite-only, usually displayed at the top of your screen or in the world information panel.

Sharing your instance invite link with other players

Once you are in your private instance, you need to get the invite link to send to others. In VRChat, open your menu and look for the instance or world information section. You should see an option to "Copy Invite Link" or "Share Instance." Click this to copy the link to your clipboard.

Send the link to the people you want to join. They can click it directly from their browser, or paste it into VRChat's invite system. The link works for anyone with a VRChat account, regardless of their platform — PC players can join with Quest players, for example.

Inviting friends while you are already in the instance

If your friends are already online in VRChat, you can invite them directly without sending a link. Open your menu, find your friends list, and select the person you want to invite. Choose "Invite to Instance" or a similar option. They will receive a notification and can accept to join your private world when ready.

This method is faster than copying and pasting links, but it only works if your friends are currently logged into VRChat. If they are offline, you will need to send them the invite link through Discord, email, or another messaging app.

How long your instance stays open

Your private instance remains active as long as at least one person is in it. If everyone leaves, VRChat closes the instance automatically. If you want to keep playing later, you straightforward create a new invite-only instance the next time you launch the world — the process is identical each time.

There is no limit to how many private instances you can create, and creating them does not cost anything. You can have multiple instances of the same world running at the same time if different groups of people want to play separately.

What happens if someone shares your invite link

If you send an invite link to a friend and they share it with someone else, that person can join your instance. VRChat does not restrict who can use a link once it is shared — the link itself is the only access control. If you want to prevent this, do not share the link publicly, or create a new instance and invite only the people you trust.

You can also remove people from your instance by using the menu to kick them, though this requires you to be the instance owner. Once someone is kicked, they cannot rejoin that specific instance, but they can create their own private instance or join a public one.

Differences between invite-only and other instance types

VRChat offers several instance types. Public instances are open to anyone and fill up with random players. Friends instances allow only your VRChat friends to join. Invite-only instances are the most restrictive — only people with the specific invite link can enter. For a private chess game, invite-only is the right choice because you control exactly who plays.

Friends instances might seem similar, but they require people to be on your friends list first. Invite-only skips that step and lets you play with people you just met or do not want to add as permanent friends. You can switch instance types by creating a new instance with different settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an invite-only instance on PlayStation or Meta Quest?

Yes. The process is identical on all platforms. Open the world, select the launch options menu, choose "Invite Only," and copy the invite link from within the instance. The link works across platforms, so a PC player can join an instance created by a Quest player.

What if I lose the invite link?

You can get it again by opening your menu while in the instance and selecting "Copy Invite Link" a second time. The link does not change as long as the instance is active. If the instance closes and you create a new one later, you will have a different link.

Do I need to be friends with someone to invite them?

No. You can send the invite link to anyone with a VRChat account, whether they are on your friends list or not. They do not need to accept a friend request to join your private instance.

Can someone join my instance without the invite link?

No. The invite link is the only way to access an invite-only instance. People cannot search for it, find it in a world list, or join it any other way. Only those with the link can enter.

What if I want to play with someone but they are not online right now?

Send them the invite link through Discord, email, or another messaging app. They can click it or paste it into VRChat whenever they log in. The instance will stay open as long as you or anyone else remains in it, or you can create a new one when they are ready to play.