If That Doesn't Fit Your Bill

Malloy Walls

Aug 11, 2022 • 7 min read

Quick note: To use mods while playing with friends, you will need to create a server or use LAN. "Minecraft Realms", unfortunately, does not support mods.

How to make your own Minecraft: Java Edition multiplayer servers, or join one of your friends

Servers are the fundamental building block of "Minecraft," the multiplayer mode. Each player must share the same server.

There are thousands of Minecraft servers out there that you and your friends could join to play together. To learn how to join either a friend's or public server, see the section below. There is one downside to this: you will be sharing these servers alongside many other people you don’t know.

If just you and your friends want to have a private game, you can create a Minecraft server for free. Just know that it takes some work, and whoever makes the server will need to have a good computer with a fast internet connection. If this doesn't suit your needs, you can check out the other options.

These are the steps to take to join an existing server of "Minecraft Java Edition" or to create your own multiplayer server.

How to join the server of a friend in 'Minecraft Java Edition.' Or a public one

If you wish to join a server that a friend made or one you found online, there are thousands of public Minecraft servers. All you need is the correct IP address. While joining a public server will allow you to play multiplayer Minecraft, it will require sharing the server and any other players who have access to the server.

These public servers are also not yours to customize, as they were created and maintained by someone else. And they probably won't support most of the mods you use.

That said, there are so many different servers that there's a good chance you'll always be able to find one to suit your needs.

Once you have the IP Address of the public server that you desire or your friend's Minecraft server:

1. Launch "Java" and select "Multiplayer."

2. Click "Add Server."

3. Enter the host server's address in the box "Server Address" and click "Done." This could be an address on the Internet or a URL.

4. Wait for the server connection to complete. Once it appears in the list select it and click "Join Server".

This is how you connect to a server already in place. If you'd like to create your own server, here's how.

How to make your own 'Minecraft Java server'

Important: The steps below show how to set-up a server on Windows 10. However, the steps will be nearly identical for both Macs and Linux computers.

Image: 18

Caption: The Minecraft downloads page, where you'll find the .jar file to initiate building a Minecraft server.

1. First, ensure that Java is installed on your computer. Java can be downloaded and installed free of charge from the Java website. Java SE Development Kit is also required for Mac users.

2. Launch a web browser of your choice and navigate to minecraft.net/download. Scroll down and click "Java Edition Server."

3. Next, find and download Minecraft server software. Put it somewhere you'll find it. The file will contain a.jar extension.

4. Create a folder on your computer. Name it whatever you want. Then, place the.jar file from the download inside. This is where your server files are kept.

5. Next, create a plaintext document. Right-click in the folder, select "New," and then "Text Doc." Name the text document "start.txt."

Quick note: You can create a.txt file on a Mac using the TextEdit app. Linux allows you to use the terminal's "cat" command.

6. Navigate back to the Minecraft server download webpage. Copy the command text as follows:

Notice that the numbers at end of this article may not reflect the latest version "Minecraft".

7. Paste the command text string in your start.txt.

8. Within the string of command text, you'll see the words "minecraft_server.1.16.5.jar." This portion of the command text will need renamed to "server.jar". This means that the new code line will now read:

9. You can also modify the RAM allocation of your server using this line. The more RAM your server has, the smoother it can run and the more stress it puts on the computer.

The RAM is determined by the first two numbers in the line of code, which are amounts of RAM in megabytes (MB). It defaults at 1024MB RAM, which is one gigabyte.

For example, a five-player server should have at minimum 2GB RAM. You can change the code to:

In most computer programming scenarios, one gigabyte equals 1,024 megabytes.Emma Witman/Insider

10. Click File, then "Save As..." and where you can select "Save as type" from a drop-down menu, select "All Files (*. You can name the file "start.bat"

11. Delete the "start.txt" file.

12. Double click the "start.bat" file to run it, opening a black command prompt window that will close automatically when the .bat file is complete.

13. You'll see some new items in the server folder, including a "eula.txt" document, short for "End User License Agreement." Open the document, and change the line of code that says "eula=false" to read "eula=true."

14. Run the start.bat again. Your server's world will be generated this time so the wait may be longer.

Technically, your server will be ready to fire up right now. You'll also notice a few new files within your server folder, including the server.properties file that allows you to customize your game.

Your server is currently accessible only to devices connected to the same internet as you. You'll have to set up port forwarding to open up your Minecraft server to users outside your local network.

There's a few different ways to set up port forwarding, and instructions you'll need specific to your router can be found here. Once you have it setup, give your friends the IP address so they can join.

In the meantime though, here are some ways you can explore your new server.

How to join your own Minecraft server, using the computer running the server

1. Launch Minecraft while your server has been up and running. Click "Multiplayer" 2. Click the "Add Server" button in the bottom-right corner. Simply enter the number "0" under the "Server Address" section.

Access to your own server can be done at any time. Plussoc Emma Witman/Insider

How to use a network server to play "Minecraft", together with people connected via the same internet connection

This method works well if you are trying to play with siblings or roommates. LAN servers, also known as local multiplayer servers allow you to play together with anyone using the same Wi-Fi network or ethernet.

Here's how to launch and join a local multiplayer game:

How to launch and join a LAN-based multiplayer Minecraft game

Image: 13

Caption: By pressing the "escape", you can quickly access the "Java” pause menu.

1. One of the players should launch their own game world and go to the pause menu. There they'll select "Open up to LAN."

2. In the menu that opens, select the game mode and whether to allow cheats, then click The "Start LAN World."

3. The menu will close, and the player is shown a five digit "port" number. Note this number. If it's disappeared, press T to open the chat box and find it again.

4. The other player (or players) on the same network must launch their "Java", but instead of jumping into a new world, click the "Multiplayer” option from the main menu.

5. "Minecraft” will automatically scan for games on the shared network. When the right world appears, click "Join Server".

6. If it does not find the server, the players can click "Direct Connection." In this menu, under "Server Address," enter the IP address of the computer hosting the server, followed by a colon (:) and the five-digit port number.

So for example, it might look like:

7. Click "Join Server."

How to use a premade multiplayer Server with 'Minecraft Realms.

It's all about the mods for many Minecraft players.

You can also opt for "Minecraft Realms" if you feel that non-modded Minecraft would be sufficient or if the idea of creating a server is too daunting to bear, you can choose to purchase "Minecraft Realms."

"Realms" is a service where Mojang - the company that makes "Minecraft" - will build and provide you with a server. It doesn't require you to make it or run the server, which is great if time, bandwidth or computer speed are not available.

Here's how you can use "Realms."

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher app, and log into your Mojang or Microsoft account if you haven't already. Play to launch Minecraft: Java Edition. After the main menu loads, choose "Minecraft Realms."

Open the "Realms” menu. Emma Witman/Insider

2. If you don't have one, there will be an option to get a free Realms trial. If you do not wish to subscribe, click "Subscribe". You will be taken to the Realms signup page. This form will allow you to create an account. Even if you sign up for the free trial, be sure to have your payment information handy.

Even for a free trial, you will need to enter your payment information.

Create a server in Realms

Once you have signed up for Realms please exit and relaunch Java. Next, select "Minecraft Realms". Click anywhere on the next screen to start customizing your first Realm.

2. Give your Realm name and add a description, then click "Create."

3. You can choose your world type, structure generation preferences, or enter a "seed", if you'd like to recreate a world layout that you are familiar with. To finish, click "Create a realm".

Invite other players on your 'Realms’ server

Depending on whether or not you have a Realms subscription or a free trial, you can create a world that is accessible to up to 10 players. Here's how to invite one or many friends to your realm:

1. Open Minecraft from the launcher. Click "Minecraft Realms” in the main menu.

2. Click the wrench icon, located to the right of your realm name, for the realm configuration screen.

3. Select "Players" on the top-left of the "Configure an realm" screen.

4. Enter the Microsoft or Mojang playertag for the player that you wish to invite under "Name", then click "Invite player."

Now, wait for the player's acceptance of the invitation. They will be notified via the main menu the next time they launch Java.

You can also grant invited players "Operator" status, allowing them access to certain in-game commands. Operators are not allowed to invite or remove any players from the realm.

Joining another player's server using "Realms".

Image: 9, 10

Caption: Minecraft will make sure you know about your realms invite with an envelope icon on the main menu and in the realms menu.

1. Launch "Minecraft." You will see an envelope icon on your main menu. This is if you received an invite to Minecraft Realms. Click it.

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