How to Add Friends and Join Multiplayer Games in Minecraft

The fastest way to play with friends depends on which version of Minecraft you own

Java Edition and Bedrock Edition handle multiplayer differently, so the steps you follow depend on which one is installed on your computer or device. Java Edition lets you join servers or create a world that friends can access directly. Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Windows 11, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox) uses Microsoft accounts and Realms or local network play. If you are not sure which version you have, Java Edition shows "Minecraft: Java Edition" in the launcher; Bedrock shows just "Minecraft" without "Java".

The simplest route for most players is to add a friend through your platform's account system, then invite them to your world or join theirs through the game menu. This works on all versions and requires no server setup.

Key Takeaways

Java Edition players can add friends by username and invite them to single-player worlds through a server, or join public servers where friends are already playing.
Bedrock Edition players add friends through their Microsoft account and can invite them to worlds using Realms (a paid subscription) or local network play (free, for nearby devices).
On consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), you add friends through your console's account system, then send game invites directly from the Minecraft menu.
Local network play on Bedrock is free and works on the same Wi-Fi without a subscription, but only for devices in the same household or building.

Adding friends in Java Edition

Java Edition does not have a built-in friends list like Bedrock does. Instead, you add people by knowing their username and either inviting them to a server you run, or joining a server where they are already playing. The most common method is to use a free server host like Aternos or Minehut, which lets you create a world that stays online even when you are not playing, so friends can join whenever they want.

To invite a friend to your own world without a server, you can enable "Allow LAN (Local Area Network) World" in your world settings. This only works if your friend is on the same Wi-Fi network as you. Open your world, press Esc, click "Open to LAN", and your friend can see your world in their multiplayer server list. This is free and instant but only works for local play.

If you want to play on a public server together, search for a server list like Planet Minecraft or Minecraft Server List, find one you both like, and add its address to your multiplayer server list. Both of you connect to the same server address, and you will see each other in the game world.

Adding friends in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition has a proper friends system tied to your Microsoft account. To add a friend, open the game and go to the Friends tab on the main menu. Select "Add Friend", type their Microsoft username or email address, and send the request. They will see the request in their Friends tab and can accept or decline it.

Once they accept, you can invite them to your world in two ways. The first is through Realms, a subscription service that costs about $8 per month and lets up to 10 players join your world at any time, even when you are offline. To use Realms, go to your world, select "Edit World", and turn on "Realm" if you have an active subscription. Your friends will see the world in their Realms list and can join it.

The second way is local network play, which is free. Both players must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your world, go to "Invite to Game", and select your friend from your friends list. They will get an invite notification and can join immediately. This works on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, as long as both devices are connected to the same network.

Adding friends on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

On consoles, you add friends through your console's account system first, not through Minecraft itself. On PlayStation, go to your profile, select "Friends", and search for the player's username. On Xbox, open the Friends app and search for their gamertag. On Nintendo Switch, go to your profile, select "Friends", and add them by username or friend code.

Once they are added as a friend on your console, open Minecraft and go to the Friends tab. You will see your console friends listed there. Select the friend you want to play with and choose "Invite to Game". They will get a notification on their console and can accept to join your world. On all three consoles, this works through local network play (free, same Wi-Fi) or through Realms (paid subscription).

Joining a friend's world or server

If your friend already has a world running and wants you to join, the steps depend on the version. In Java Edition, ask them for the server address and add it to your multiplayer server list, or ask them to enable "Open to LAN" and join from your server list. In Bedrock Edition, go to the Friends tab, find your friend, and select "Join Game" if they have invited you or if their world is open to friends.

On consoles, open the Friends tab, select your friend, and choose "Join Game" if they are currently playing. If they are not online, you can still join their world if they have Realms active, since Realms worlds stay online all the time.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot see your friend in your friends list after adding them, make sure you both have accepted the friend request and that you are using the correct username or email address. In Java Edition, usernames are case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" is different from "johnsmith". Wait a few minutes for the request to process, then restart the game.

If your friend cannot join your world, check that you have invited them correctly and that your world or server is actually online. In Bedrock, make sure your Realms subscription is active if you are using Realms, or that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi if you are using local network play. In Java Edition, confirm that you have enabled "Open to LAN" or that your server is running.

If you see a "Connection refused" or "Cannot connect" error, the server or world may be full, offline, or the address may be wrong. Ask your friend to double-check the server address or restart their world and try again.

Free versus paid options for multiplayer

Local network play is completely free on all versions and works as long as everyone is on the same Wi-Fi. Java Edition's LAN worlds and Bedrock's local network invites both fall into this category. If you want to play with friends who are not on your network, Java Edition offers free public servers (though you have no control over them) and free server hosts like Aternos (which you do control). Bedrock's only option for remote play is Realms, which costs money.

Realms is the easiest paid option for Bedrock players because it handles all the technical setup for you — you do not have to manage a server or worry about it going offline. The subscription covers one world and up to 10 players. If you want more worlds or more players, you need a separate subscription for each world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play with friends on different platforms, like Java and Bedrock together?

No. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are separate games and cannot connect to each other. Everyone playing together must be on the same version. You can check which version you own by looking at your launcher or game menu.

Do I need to pay to play multiplayer with friends?

Not if you are on the same Wi-Fi network — local network play is free on all versions. If your friends are far away, Java Edition offers free public servers, but Bedrock requires a Realms subscription. You do not need Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus to play multiplayer, though those subscriptions may be required for other online features on console.

What if my friend plays on a different device, like I am on PC and they are on Switch?

If you both own Bedrock Edition, you can play together through local network play (same Wi-Fi) or Realms (paid). Java Edition only works on PC and Mac, so if your friend is on console, they must own Bedrock. If you both own Java, you can only play together on PC or Mac.

How do I know if my friend's invite went through?

In Bedrock, check your Friends tab — if the request is pending, it will show "Awaiting Response". In Java Edition, there is no built-in friends system, so you have to tell your friend the server address or invite them to your LAN world directly. Ask them to check their multiplayer server list or their LAN worlds list.

Can I invite someone to my world if they are not my friend yet?

In Bedrock, you must add them as a friend first before you can invite them. In Java Edition, you can share a server address with anyone, and they can join without being on a friends list. On consoles, you must add them as a console friend first.

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