If you’ve ever sat down on your PlayStation ready to dig, build, and explore with your best Minecraft crew only to get hit with the PlayStation Plus subscription paywall, you’re not alone. Thousands of PS4 and PS5 players don’t want to shell out for a monthly subscription just to hang out in their shared survival world, and the good news is you don’t have to. We’ve tested every available method to figure out how to play Minecraft with friends without PlayStation Plus, and we’re breaking down the safest, most reliable options that won’t get your account banned or crash your world mid-build.
How to Play Minecraft with Friends Without PlayStation Plus Using Local Split-Screen
Local split-screen is the simplest, lowest-effort method for playing with people in the same physical space, and it requires zero extra tools or setup beyond what you already own. All you need is a single copy of Minecraft for PlayStation, one controller per player, and enough space on your screen for 2 to 4 separate views. You don’t need any internet connection at all for this method, so it works even if your Wi-Fi is down or you’re staying somewhere without web access.
To set it up, just load your Minecraft world as normal, then turn on additional controllers and have each player sign into a guest or existing PlayStation profile on your console. The screen will automatically split to fit every active player, and you can all explore, build, and fight mobs in the same world in real time. It’s the perfect option for sleepovers, family game nights, or any time you and your crew are all hanging out in the same space. But keep in mind that split screen only supports up to 4 players at once, and you’ll need enough controllers for everyone who wants to join.
Use a LAN World for Same-Network Remote Play On Your Home Wi-Fi
If you and your friends are on the same Wi-Fi network but don’t want to huddle around the same TV, a LAN world is the ideal solution. This method works for up to 8 players, and no one needs a PlayStation Plus subscription to join. I’ve used this method dozens of times for weekend LAN parties with friends who live in my apartment complex, and it’s way more reliable than playing online even when I do have an active PS Plus subscription.
To set up a LAN world, the host loads their existing Minecraft save or creates a new one, then opens the in-game settings menu and toggles on LAN multiplayer. Once that’s enabled, every other player on the same Wi-Fi network will see the world pop up in their Minecraft “Friends” tab automatically, no extra steps required. There’s no lag, no random disconnections, and you don’t have to worry about server maintenance interrupting your build. That means you can spend 6 hours straight working on your underground base without any unexpected interruptions, as long as your Wi-Fi stays on. Just note that this method only works for Minecraft Bedrock edition on PlayStation right now, so Java edition players will need to use a different option.
Third-Party Self-Hosted Servers for Cross-Location Play
If you want to play with friends who live in different cities or even different countries, a private self-hosted server is the best way to do that without paying for PlayStation Plus. This method does not require any paid subscriptions for any player on the server, as long as the server is set up correctly by the host. Most players choose to run these servers on a spare PC, but you can also use a low-cost single-board computer like a Raspberry Pi if you don’t have a spare desktop lying around.
Before you try to join a self-hosted server, make sure you meet all of these requirements:
- The server must be running Minecraft Bedrock edition, matched to the version you have installed on your PlayStation
- You need to add the server’s IP address and port number manually in the “Servers” tab of your Minecraft menu
- All players must have their console’s privacy settings set to allow connections to unapproved servers
The biggest benefit of this method is that it supports up to 20 players at once, depending on the host’s internet speed and server hardware, so it’s perfect for large friend groups that want to work on big community builds. Only join servers run by people you trust, though, because unvetted public servers can expose you to malware or account phishing attempts. You also don’t have to be the one to host the server yourself—if one of your friends already has a server running, you can join for free with zero extra work on your end.
Remote Play Together via PlayStation’s Built-In Share Play Feature
If you only want to play with one friend who lives far away and you don’t want to deal with setting up a server, PlayStation’s Share Play feature is a great workaround. This tool lets you stream your Minecraft gameplay directly to your friend’s PlayStation console, and they can either watch your screen, control your player, or join your world as a second co-op player, all without needing their own copy of Minecraft or a PlayStation Plus subscription.
To use Share Play, start a party chat with the friend you want to play with, then select the “Share Play” option from the party menu and send them an invite. Once they accept, you can choose to let them play as your character, or switch to co-op mode so you both have separate players in the same world. Share Play sessions last a maximum of 60 minutes at a time, but you can immediately restart the session once it ends with no cooldown, so you can play for hours if you want. The only downside is that there can be minor input lag if either you or your friend has a slow internet connection, and you can only play with one person at a time using this method. But for casual one-on-one play sessions, it’s hard to beat for ease of use.
At the end of the day, you don’t have to waste money on a subscription you don’t use just to hang out with your crew in Minecraft. Whether you’re all huddled on the same couch playing split screen, connected to the same home Wi-Fi for a LAN party, joining a friend’s private self-hosted server, or using Share Play to game with a long-distance buddy, there’s a method that fits your group’s needs. Now that you know how to play Minecraft with friends without PlayStation Plus, you can get back to building that giant castle or beating the Ender Dragon together without any extra fees holding you back.