How To Play Multiplayer Minecraft

Minecraft has been a fan favorite since years. The game has been updated many times to make it even more enjoyable for its fans. If you're new to Minecraft, you may be put off by the idea of playing a solo game for hours on end. Minecraft's singleplayer building feature is a great way of spending time and getting creative juices flowing. Most users will enjoy Minecraft with their friends online or offline.

Don't worry, if you don’t know how to get started in Minecraft multiplayer. This article will help you navigate the process for all Minecraft editions.

How to play Multiplayer Minecraft

There are several ways to play Minecraft together with friends, or even strangers. A smaller group might choose to play on a local network using a LAN connection that requires little technical knowledge. Advanced users can access many servers, or create their own. Each server comes with its own rules and cheats to allow for greater freedom in-game. The Realms edition is completely online, with some caveats. The special education edition was created with online play in mind.

How do you play Multiplayer in Minecraft in the Same House

Minecraft players who want their Minecraft games to be played in the same home often opt for a network or a single console to power Minecraft. For example, you can create a LAN network using your home Wi-Fi or connect all devices to the router via Ethernet cables. Here's how you can create a LAN on Minecraft.

1. Open Minecraft on your console, PC or laptop and enter one of your singleplayer worlds.

2. Press Escape to return to the game menu.

3. Open to LAN. Choose whether cheats will be enabled or disabled and which game modes you would like to offer other players.

4. Select Start LAN world.

How can I play on a Local Area Network, (LAN)?

Other players can now join the LAN world via their devices:

1. Select Multiplayer from your main menu.

2. The game will scan the LAN for an ongoing world.

3. If the LAN world has been set up, the game will display LAN World on the list with the world's name and the creator's username below.

4. Double-click to Join, or press the server name, and then click Join Server.

How can I use splitscreen in Minecraft?

Split-screen can be enabled to allow up to three friends to play Minecraft together on the console. When you connect additional game controllers to the console, you can set up a game.

1. Select Play Game. Create a new world or load a previous one. 2. Check the Online game setting. 3. After the first player has entered this world, they can invite others to join them by pressing START. You will need an additional console to allow online play and expand your split-screen experience. The steps are similar to the single-console play; only now you need to enable Online Game and log the players in before starting.

How to play Multiplayer on Minecraft Online

PC or console users who want to play online can use an extensive library of servers or set up their own private server for a smaller group of friends. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. Servers require a powerful infrastructure and internet connection to run, and the PC that's hosting as a server may not be able to play on it as well. However, you must follow their rules, moderation, or regulation when you join public servers.

Online hosting services make it easy to set up a server. If you want to learn how to build your Minecraft server from scratch, the documentation required to do so is available here. Warning: These instructions have been publicly edited and are updated to the latest Minecraft version. They may not be compatible with your computer configuration.

If you don't have the technical know-how or the time to set the server up, online server hosting platforms can make that process a lot simpler. Here's an example with Apex Minecraft Hosting:

1. Visit their website. 2. MINECRAFT SERVERS Select the plan that interests you. The number of players in your friend circle will affect the RAM required for hosting. The platform also has crude recommendations. For example, 10 players would need 2GB RAM for multiple mods. 3. Once you place an order for the server you will need to enter all your information, including your email. 4. The platform techs will build the server for you and send you an email with the necessary information to log in and view the server's IP address. 5. This IP allows you and your friends to join the game. Instead of creating a server from scratch, you can find publicly-available servers online that users can join. You can search for the one you like, and then copy the IP address.

Once the server setup process is complete (whether you did it yourself or used a hosting service) or you have found an online server to join, copy the server IP address to get started, then follow these steps:

1. Open Minecraft

2. Select Multiplayer. Select Servers if Minecraft Bedrock is your preferred method.

3. Click on Add Server at bottom.

4. Enter a name you'll recognize, then type in or paste the IP address in the Server Address field. Fill in the port field with the port number you have created or received.

5. Select Bedrock Edition to play on the server. Then, press Save and then click Join near the bottom.

Java Edition: Press Done, then select a server from the multiplayer list, and join it.

How to play Multiplayer in Minecraft Dungeons

If you're playing Minecraft Dungeons, the steps to playing with friends are similar to joining a LAN network. Here are the steps for LAN multiplayer.

1. Connect additional controllers. 2. The primary player must initiate a local match by pressing A. 3. To connect to a game, the other player(s), must press the appropriate button on their controller (usually L3). Here are the steps for joining an online Minecraft Dungeons gaming session:

1. Complete the tutorial. 2. Press A while playing Minecraft Dungeons to bring up the menu and go through to the online multiplayer settings. 3. You will need a Microsoft account to link to your console. You'll need another device to access the URL shown, like a PC or a phone. Follow the prompts shown on the console screen. Enter the code provided by your game. 4. Once you have linked your accounts, you will see a list with your friends on your screen. One player will be the host, while the others can join them by pressing Join next to the host's name to play together. How to Play Multiplayer with Minecraft Education Edition

The Minecraft Education Edition is a great addition for students. It allows them to use their creativity and teamwork in offline and online play. Users can now play Minecraft EE online with their Office 365 accounts. Here's the information you need:

1. The host needs to set up a game world and note their IP address. Next, press Play and select New World. After selecting the game options, choose Host.

2. By opening a new Minecraft EE game, you can see your IP & port. Press Escape to close the game.

3. For best results, you're better off switching to a static IP address if you want to have multiple sessions in the same world. 4. Turn on port forwarding. Log into your router using your browser. Next, select Port Forwarding. Enter the IP address noted on the world. Use 19132 as the starting port and 19133 as the ending port. This configuration is required for both TCP protocol and UDP protocols.

5. The Join code is a combination of four images, also taken from the game menu. Share the join code with other players. 6. Multiplayer can be used to join other players' worlds. This guide will help you to access more settings.

What's the difference between Java Editions & Bedrock Editions?

When you're setting up a game or choosing which version of Minecraft to play, picking the correct Minecraft edition is vital. There are two main Minecraft versions that you can use for multiplayer: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.

Only the Bedrock edition is available for console users (PS4, Xbox and Switch). It doesn't support modding, and you'll often need to pay to gain access to more mods. It's the only way to link players across different consoles or a PC.

For PC users, there is an option between both. If you share a PC with your friends, we recommend the Java version. It supports mods without restrictions, can enable hardcore mode to allow for no-respawn gameplay, is up-to-date first, and has more developmental features.

How Do You Play Minecraft Multiplayer for Free?

The only way to play with friends for free is to set up your own server, although that may be more time-consuming, and you'll need to be careful to set everything up correctly. You can also find trusted hosts online.

Minecraft with Friends

While playing Minecraft by yourself can be a great way to pass the time while you're at it, playing with friends can bring out the best and worst of your group and force you to think outside the box. Now you are familiar with all the multiplayer Minecraft options.

Set up your server if you are tech-savvy. This is a great way for you to get online and improve your tech knowledge.

What is your preferred way to play Minecraft?

Which platform are you playing multiplayer on? Let us know in the comment section below.