If you’ve spent hours building a solo base or mining for diamonds alone, you’ve probably wondered how do you play with others on Minecraft to make the experience even more fun. Multiplayer Minecraft turns casual building sessions into collaborative projects, chaotic survival challenges, and inside jokes you’ll reference for months. I’ve been playing multiplayer with my friend group for nearly 10 years, and I’ve tried every possible way to connect, from janky LAN setups in my college dorm to running a private modded server for 20 people. This guide covers every accessible method, plus the pros and cons of each, so you can pick the option that fits your group’s needs.
How Do You Play With Others on Minecraft: The 4 Most Accessible Methods
There’s no one right way to play multiplayer, but most players stick to four common methods that work for both Java and Bedrock editions. I’ve sorted them by ease of setup, so you can pick the one that matches your technical skill and how many people you want to play with:
- LAN play: For people in the same physical space, no extra cost or setup needed beyond a shared Wi-Fi network
- Minecraft Realms: Official hosted servers from Mojang, low effort, perfect for small groups of friends
- Public community servers: Free to join, open to all players, great for meeting new people and trying custom game modes
- Self-hosted private servers: Fully customizable, best for larger groups or modded play, requires a bit more technical work
Before you pick a method, make sure everyone in your group is on the same edition of Minecraft. Java Edition players can only play with other Java players, and Bedrock Edition (which includes mobile, console, and Windows 10/11 versions) only works with other Bedrock players. That's the most common mistake I see new groups make, so double check this first to avoid wasting time troubleshooting later. If you're still figuring out how do you play with others on Minecraft, starting with the first two methods on this list is the easiest way to get your feet wet without any technical hassle.
Low-Effort Multiplayer Options for Casual Groups
If you just want to play with 2 to 10 friends and don't want to mess with IP addresses or server settings, LAN or Realms are your best bet. LAN play is completely free, and it only takes a few clicks to set up. One player just needs to open their single player world, hit "Open to LAN", adjust the settings for game mode and cheats, and share the 5-digit port number that pops up with everyone else on the same Wi-Fi network. You don't need any extra accounts or subscriptions for LAN play, which makes it perfect for sleepovers, family gatherings, or dorm groups. This is the first method I ever used when I was learning how do you play with others on Minecraft, and it still works perfectly for impromptu sessions. The only downside is that everyone has to be in the same physical location, and the world will shut down as soon as the host logs off.
Realms are the next step up if your group is spread out across different locations. A standard Realms subscription for up to 10 players costs less than $4 a month, and Mojang hosts the server 24/7 so you don't have to leave your computer on for other people to play. All of your world data is backed up automatically, so you don't have to worry about losing your base if your computer crashes. You can also switch between different world saves easily if you want to rotate between survival, creative, and custom map play. The only downside of Realms is that customization is limited - you can't add large mod packs or run custom game modes like BedWars unless you use a pre-approved template from the Realms library. It's also not a good fit if you want to play with more than 10 people at a time.
Exploring Public Servers for Larger Communities and Custom Gameplay
If you want to play with more than 10 people, try custom game modes, or meet new players who share your interests, public servers are a great option. There are thousands of public servers for both Java and Bedrock editions, covering everything from casual survival and creative building to competitive minigames, roleplay, and even fully themed worlds like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. To join a public server, you just need to copy the server IP address from a server list site, add it to your Minecraft server menu, and click join. Most servers are completely free to play, though some offer paid cosmetic ranks or perks for players who want to support the server. If you're tired of playing with the same small group and want to see how do you play with others on Minecraft who share your love for specific build styles or game modes, public servers are the perfect fit.
There are a few things to keep in mind when joining public servers to make sure you have a good experience. First, always read the server rules before you start playing - most servers have strict rules against griefing, hate speech, or cheating, and you can get banned permanently if you break them. Second, don't share personal information like your full name, address, or phone number with other players you don't know in real life. It's also a good idea to turn off in-game chat if you're playing with younger kids, or use a server that has moderated chat for younger audiences. I've made dozens of friends on public servers over the years, but it's always smart to be cautious when interacting with strangers online.
Setting Up a Private Self-Hosted Server for Full Customization
If you want full control over your multiplayer experience, like running a modded server, adding custom plugins, or playing with 20+ people at once, setting up your own private server is the way to go. You have two options here: you can host the server on your own home computer, or pay for a third-party server hosting service that runs the server for you. Hosting on your home computer is free, but it requires a strong internet connection and a decent computer to run smoothly, especially if you have a lot of players online at once. You'll also have to port forward your router to let other people connect to your network, which can be confusing if you don't have much technical experience. If you've tried the other methods and want more control over how do you play with others on Minecraft, self-hosted servers open up a whole world of possibilities.
Third-party server hosting is a better fit for most people who don't want to mess with technical setup. Plans start at around $5 a month for a small server for 10 players, and go up depending on how many players you want and how many mods or plugins you add. Most hosting services offer one-click installs for popular mod packs and game modes, so you can get a server up and running in 10 minutes or less. The biggest benefit of self-hosted servers is that you can customize every part of the game: you can add new mobs, change the world generation, set up custom roles for your friends, or even turn the server into a full roleplay world with custom quests and storylines. The only real downside is the cost, and the fact that you'll have to handle moderation if you let people outside your friend group join.
At the end of the day, the best way to play multiplayer depends on what you want to get out of the experience. Casual groups who hang out in person can stick to LAN play, small long-distance friend groups work great with Realms, people who want to meet new players can explore public servers, and groups that want full control can set up their own private server. No matter which option you pick, now you know the answer to how do you play with others on Minecraft, and you can start creating shared memories with friends, old and new, in no time. Just don't forget to save a backup of your world every once in a while, and try not to blow up your friend's base unless they prank you first.