The fastest way to play together on Minecraft PC
To join a friend on Minecraft PC, you need to know whether they are running the game on a server, through Realms, or on their own computer. The method changes depending on which one. If your friend is hosting the world on their own PC and has opened it to LAN (local area network), you can join directly from the multiplayer menu. If they use Minecraft Realms — a subscription service that keeps a world running even when they are offline — you join through an invitation. If the world runs on a dedicated server, you enter the server address into the multiplayer screen.
Key Takeaways
- LAN worlds work only if you and your friend are on the same WiFi network, and your friend must open their world to LAN before you can see it in the multiplayer menu.
- Minecraft Realms requires a paid subscription from your friend but lets you join from anywhere and works even when they are offline.
- Dedicated servers need the server address, which your friend can find in their server control panel or hosting account.
- You must own a copy of Minecraft Java Edition on your PC to join any multiplayer world.
Joining a LAN world on the same network
A LAN world is the simplest option if you and your friend are both at home on the same WiFi network. Your friend opens their single-player world, pauses the game, and clicks "Open to LAN" in the menu. They choose a game mode (Survival or Creative) and click "Start LAN World." Once they do this, the world appears in your multiplayer server list automatically — you do not need to ask for an address or password.
On your PC, open Minecraft Java Edition and click "Multiplayer." Click "Direct Connection" or look under "Servers" for your friend's world listed by their username. Click it and join. The connection lasts only as long as your friend keeps their world open to LAN. If they close the game or turn off LAN, you disconnect.
LAN worlds are free and require no setup, but they only work when both players are on the same network. If your friend closes their laptop or the WiFi drops, the world is no longer reachable.
Joining through Minecraft Realms
Minecraft Realms is a subscription service that runs your friend's world on Microsoft's servers. Your friend pays a monthly fee (the cost varies by region), and the world stays online whether they are playing or not. To join, your friend sends you an invitation through the Realms menu. You receive it as a notification in the Minecraft launcher or in-game.
Click the invitation to accept it. The Realms world then appears in your multiplayer list under "Realms." Click it and join whenever you want. You do not need to pay the subscription yourself — only the person who owns the Realm does. You can join from anywhere in the world, not just on the same network.
Your friend manages the Realm through the Minecraft launcher. They can add or remove players, set the world to Survival or Creative, and control who can build or break blocks. If your friend stops paying the subscription, the Realm closes and you lose access.
Joining a dedicated server
A dedicated server is a computer or hosting account that runs the Minecraft world separately from any player's game. Your friend either rents server space from a hosting company or runs a server on their own PC using server software. Either way, they give you the server address — a string of numbers and a port, like "192.168.1.5:25565" or a domain name like "myserver.example.com:25565."
In Minecraft, click "Multiplayer," then "Add Server." Paste the address into the "Server Address" field and give it a name. Click "Done." The server now appears in your server list. Click it and join. You can join from anywhere, and the server stays online as long as the hosting account or your friend's PC is running.
Dedicated servers require more setup than LAN or Realms. Your friend must install server software, configure settings, and keep the server running. Some hosting companies charge a monthly fee; others are free but may have limits on player count or world size.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If you cannot see your friend's LAN world, check that you are both on the same WiFi network. Restart your Minecraft launcher and have your friend open the world to LAN again. Some networks block LAN connections — if it still does not work, try a different network or use Realms instead.
If a Realms invitation does not appear, ask your friend to resend it. Make sure you are logged into the same Microsoft account you use for Minecraft. If you still do not see it, restart the launcher.
If you cannot connect to a dedicated server, double-check the address your friend gave you — even one wrong number breaks the connection. Ask your friend to confirm the server is running. If the server is down for maintenance or the hosting account expired, you will not be able to join until it is back online.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Cost | Setup | Range | Always Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAN World | Free | One click | Same network only | No — host must be playing |
| Minecraft Realms | Monthly subscription (friend pays) | Send invitation | Anywhere | Yes |
| Dedicated Server | Free or monthly fee | Install and configure software | Anywhere | Yes (if running) |
Choose LAN if you are both at home and want to play right now with no cost. Choose Realms if you want a world that stays online and your friend is willing to pay the subscription. Choose a dedicated server if your friend wants full control over the world and does not mind the extra setup work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own Minecraft to join my friend?
Yes. You must own a copy of Minecraft Java Edition on your PC. Your friend cannot share their copy with you — each player needs their own license. If you do not own it, you can buy it from the official Minecraft website.
Can my friend and I play together if we are in different countries?
Yes, but only through Realms or a dedicated server. LAN worlds work only on the same network. If your friend uses Realms or a dedicated server, you can join from anywhere in the world as long as you have the invitation or server address.
What happens if my friend's computer crashes while I am playing on their LAN world?
You disconnect when ready. The world is not saved on your PC — it exists only on your friend's computer. If they want to keep the world running while they are away, they should use Realms or a dedicated server instead.
Can I join a Realms world if my friend is not playing?
Yes. Realms worlds stay online all the time as long as the subscription is active. Your friend does not need to be playing for you to join. This is one of the main advantages of Realms over LAN worlds.
Is there a limit to how many friends can join at once?
LAN worlds support up to 4 players on the same network. Minecraft Realms supports up to 10 players (or more on some plans). Dedicated servers can support many more players depending on the hosting plan and server software your friend uses.