How to play Minecraft with a friend

Minecraft has made its mark since the first PC JAVA release. It is now available online and on different consoles, PS4, Nintendo Switch, XBOX 360 and mobile devices. While even basic gameplay offers loads of entertainment, an increasing number of options to play Minecraft with friends has certainly kicked things up a notch. From simply playing with others under the same roof to connecting with friends who live internationally, there are a few different ways to enjoy the ever-popular sandbox adventure—and each multiplayer experience offers its unique benefits.

To play Minecraft with friends, you can choose any of the following: 

MINECRAFT BEDROCK EDITION

Though Java and Bedrock editions offer different options, there is certainly overlap between the two. Minecraft Java Edition is compatible with Mac, Linux, and PC, so it works for connecting with friends using computers. The Minecraft Bedrock version is console compatible, and it’s perfect if kids want to play using Nintendo products or Xboxes. Both Bedrock and Java versions of the game offer ways to connect via realms and private servers. Now it depends on you want which server! Part of the beauty of this game lies in the limitless ways it can be customized for different players’ preferences.

LAN 

Local Area Network is a great option for playing Minecraft with friends. You will need a powerful host computer that is powerful enough to run the game. This will be accessible only to others within your local network. If your friend is over at your house and connected to your wifi, you can create a LAN world to join.

1. Open up Minecraft, and join your single-player world.
2. Press the escape key to open up your Game Menu.
3. Press “Open to LAN”, select if you want to allow cheats and what game mode you want the other users to have, then press “Start LAN World”.
4. In Minecraft, click on the “Multiplayer” tab.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the list; you should see a message, “Scanning for games on your local network”.
6. “LAN World” will appear, with your friend’s username and the world name under it.
7. Double click it to join, or select it and press “Join Server”.

PRIVATE MINECRAFT SERVER

By setting up their private server, the player can better grasp who is connected. It is to ensure to only invite those you know and trust. 

• Verify you have the latest version of Java
• Grab the server files from Mojang
• Create a batch file to run the server
• Agree to the EULA (End User License Agreement)
• Launch the server
• Join your server
• Forward your port
• Find your external IP address
• Connect others to the server
• Adjust settings in the server. properties file

MINECRAFT REALMS

Another option is Minecraft Realms, which can be thought of as renting a Mojang server to play with their friends. It allows a much easier and safer experience. Players need to create a world, click the “create” Realms button, and connect to a Realms world via official invite; anyone with the IP address can jump in. Worlds in Realms live on and are accessible even when the creator is offline. That means anyone on the guest list can jump in and out at their will, which, on the one hand, can be seen as a fun benefit. Realms do not allow the use of mods/plugins, it limits player slots significantly and restricts who can and cannot join, and it’s quite pricey for what you are getting

1. Open Minecraft and press “Minecraft Realms.”
2. Click on “Buy Realm”. This will take you to Minecraft’s website, where you can set up your subscription.
3. You can press “Subscribe”, which will also take you to Minecraft’s website so you can set up the Realms.
4. Once you have paid for it, head back to the Realms tab in Minecraft, and you should see the listing with a green light. Press it and then click the “Play” button.