The fastest way to join a friend's game

The easiest method is to use the Realms feature if your friend has a Realm subscription, or to join through the Multiplayer menu if your friend is running a local server on their computer. If your friend is playing single-player and wants you to join, they need to open their world to LAN (Local Area Network) first — this takes about 30 seconds and doesn't require any setup beyond that.

If you're on the same WiFi network, you can see their world appear in your Multiplayer list automatically once they enable LAN mode. If you're playing from different locations, you'll need either a Realm, a dedicated server, or a third-party tool like Aternos or Hamachi to connect.

Key Takeaways

  • LAN mode is free and when ready if you're on the same WiFi — your friend opens their world to LAN and you see it in Multiplayer within seconds.
  • Realms costs about $8 per month and lets your friend invite up to two people to play together anytime, from anywhere.
  • If your friend is running a server on their computer, you join by entering their IP address in the Multiplayer menu.
  • Third-party tools like Aternos (free) or Hamachi (free tier available) let you play together without Realms if you're in different locations.
  • The Java Edition and Bedrock Edition use different connection methods, so confirm which version your friend is playing.

Joining through LAN on the same WiFi network

If you and your friend are on the same WiFi, this is the simplest route. Your friend opens their single-player world, pauses the game, and clicks Open to LAN. They can leave the default settings (Cheats off, Survival mode) or change them. Once they click Start LAN World, the world is open for 30 minutes.

On your computer, open Minecraft and go to Multiplayer. Within a few seconds, your friend's world should appear in the server list with a green dot next to it. Click on it and select Join Server. You'll load into their world and can play together until they close the game or the 30-minute window ends.

If you don't see their world appear, make sure both computers are connected to the same WiFi network. If it still doesn't show up, restart Minecraft on your computer and try again. LAN mode only works on the same local network — it won't work if you're at different locations.

Using Realms to play from anywhere

Realms is Minecraft's official subscription service for multiplayer. Your friend creates a Realm (a private server hosted by Minecraft), and you join using an invite link or by entering their Realm name. Realms costs about $8 per month and supports up to three players at once — your friend plus two others.

To set this up, your friend goes to Realms in the main menu, clicks Create Realm, and chooses a name and world type. They can then invite you by clicking Invite Players and entering your Minecraft username. You'll receive a notification in the Realms menu, and you can join anytime by clicking on the Realm name.

The advantage of Realms is that the world stays active even when your friend isn't playing — you can log in whenever you want. The disadvantage is the monthly cost. If you only play together occasionally, LAN or a free third-party server might be a better fit.

Joining a server your friend is running

If your friend is running a server on their computer using server software like Spigot or Paper, you join by entering their IP address in the Multiplayer menu. Your friend needs to tell you their IP address first — they can find it by opening Command Prompt on Windows and typing ipconfig, then looking for the IPv4 address.

On your computer, go to Multiplayer, click Add Server, give it a name, and paste your friend's IP address into the Server Address field. Click Done, then click on the server and select Join Server. If the server is running, you'll load in. If you can't connect, your friend may need to check their firewall settings or port forwarding on their router.

Running a server on a personal computer works best if you're on the same local network. If you're in different locations, your friend would need to set up port forwarding, which is more technical. For remote play, Realms or a third-party hosting service is usually simpler.

Using free third-party tools like Aternos

Aternos is a free server hosting service that lets you and your friend play together without paying for Realms. Your friend creates an Aternos account, starts a server, and sends you the server address. You join the same way you would any other server — by entering the address in the Multiplayer menu.

The catch is that Aternos servers go offline after 30 minutes of inactivity to save resources. Your friend has to start the server again before you can join, which takes about a minute. If you're playing regularly, this becomes annoying. For occasional play, though, it's a solid free option.

Hamachi is another tool that creates a virtual network between your computers. Both of you install Hamachi, join the same network, and then you can play together as if you were on the same WiFi. Hamachi has a free tier that works for small groups, though it can be slower than direct connections.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If you can see your friend's server in the list but can't join, the server may be full or offline. Ask your friend to check that the server is still running and that they haven't hit the player limit. If the server doesn't appear at all, double-check the IP address — even one wrong number will prevent you from connecting.

If you're trying to join via LAN and the world doesn't show up, make sure both computers are on the same WiFi network, not one on WiFi and one on ethernet. Restart Minecraft on both computers and try again. If it still doesn't work, your router may be blocking LAN discovery — in that case, you can manually enter your friend's local IP address in the Multiplayer menu instead.

If you're getting a "Connection refused" or "Connection timed out" error, your friend's firewall may be blocking the connection. On Windows, they can allow Minecraft through the firewall by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall and checking Minecraft.

Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition differences

Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition use different connection methods. Java Edition uses the methods described above — LAN, Realms, or direct IP addresses. Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10/11, consoles, and mobile) also uses Realms, but LAN works differently and requires both players to be on the same network.

If your friend is playing Bedrock and you're on Java, you cannot play together — the two versions are not compatible. Make sure you're both running the same version before you try to connect. You can check which version you have by looking at the main menu; it will say "Minecraft Java Edition" or just "Minecraft" (Bedrock).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join my friend's game if we're in different countries?

Yes, but only through Realms, a dedicated server, or a third-party tool like Aternos or Hamachi. LAN mode only works on the same local network. Realms is the simplest option for remote play, though it costs money. Aternos is free but the server shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity.

What if my friend is playing single-player and I want to join?

They need to pause the game and click Open to LAN. This opens their world to anyone on the same WiFi for 30 minutes. If you're not on the same network, they would need to either use Realms or convert their world to a server.

Do I need to pay for anything to play together?

Not necessarily. LAN is free if you're on the same WiFi. Aternos is free for server hosting. Realms costs about $8 per month. If your friend runs a server on their own computer, there's no cost beyond internet.

Why can't I see my friend's world in the LAN list?

Make sure both computers are on the same WiFi network and that your friend has clicked Open to LAN in their paused world. Restart Minecraft on your computer. If it still doesn't appear, try manually entering your friend's local IP address in the Multiplayer menu instead of waiting for auto-discovery.

What's the difference between Java and Bedrock for multiplayer?

Java Edition lets you join via LAN, Realms, or direct IP address. Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11, consoles, mobile) also uses Realms but has different LAN mechanics. The two versions cannot play together at all, so confirm which one your friend is using before you try to connect.