Your Minecraft invite address is a code or link that lets other players join your server

When you create a Minecraft server or join one that someone else runs, you need an invite address to share with friends so they can connect. This address is usually a string of numbers and dots (called an IP address) or a domain name, and it tells Minecraft exactly where your server is located on the internet. The place you find it depends on what kind of server you're running — whether it's hosted by a company, running on your own computer, or a realm you've set up through Minecraft.

Finding your invite address takes less than a minute once you know where to look. The steps are different for each server type, so this guide walks you through the most common setups.

Key Takeaways

  • Your invite address is either an IP address (numbers like 192.168.1.1) or a domain name, and it's what you give to friends so they can find your server.
  • Minecraft Realms shows your invite code in the Realm settings, and you can share it directly from there without needing to copy anything.
  • Servers hosted by companies like Aternos or Nitrado display your IP address in the server dashboard or control panel.
  • If you're running a server on your own computer, you'll find the IP address in your router settings or by using a command on Windows or Mac.
  • Always test the address yourself before sending it to friends to make sure they can actually connect.

Finding your address in Minecraft Realms

Minecraft Realms is the easiest option because Minecraft handles everything for you. Open Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, go to the main menu, and select Realms. Find the realm you want to share and click the three dots (or gear icon) next to it, then select Settings. You'll see an Invite Players button — click it and Minecraft will show you a code you can copy and share, or you can send an invite directly to a friend's Microsoft account if you know their username.

The code Realms gives you is unique to that realm and changes if you want it to. You don't need to know anything about IP addresses or networking — just copy the code and send it to whoever you want to play with. They paste it into their own Realms menu and join instantly.

Getting the IP address from a hosted server company

If you're paying a company like Aternos, Nitrado, or Apex Hosting to run your server, your invite address is in your account dashboard. Log into your hosting company's website, find your server in the list, and look for a section called Server Address, IP Address, Connection Address, or Server Details. The address will look something like play.example.com or 192.168.1.100:25565. Copy the entire thing, including any numbers after the colon (the colon and numbers are the port, and they matter).

Different hosting companies put this information in different places. Aternos shows it at the top of the server page. Nitrado puts it in the General tab. Apex Hosting displays it on the main server dashboard. If you can't find it, look for a Help or FAQ section on the hosting company's website — they usually have a guide showing exactly where to find the address.

Finding the address for a server running on your computer

If you're running a server directly from your own computer using the server software Minecraft provides, you need to find your computer's IP address on your local network. On Windows, open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu), type ipconfig, and press Enter. Look for the line that says IPv4 Address — that's your address. It will look like 192.168.1.100 or similar.

On Mac, open Terminal (search for "Terminal" in Spotlight), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for inet under the section for your network connection. Copy that address and add :25565 to the end (for example, 192.168.1.100:25565). The 25565 is the default Minecraft server port, and friends need it to connect.

This address only works for friends on the same network as you (like your home WiFi). If friends want to connect from outside your network, you'll need to set up port forwarding on your router, which is more complex and not covered here — look for your router's manual or contact your internet provider for help with that step.

What to do if you're using a VPN or proxy service

Some players use services like Ngrok or Cloudflare Tunnel to make a local server accessible from outside their network without setting up port forwarding. If you're using one of these services, the invite address is whatever address or domain the service gives you — not your computer's local IP address. Check the service's dashboard or documentation to find the address it assigned to your server.

These services are optional and more technical than the other methods here. Most players either use Realms, a hosting company, or port forwarding instead. If you're not sure whether you're using one, you probably aren't.

Testing your invite address before sharing it

Before you send the address to friends, test it yourself to make sure it actually works. Open Minecraft, go to Multiplayer, click Add Server, paste the address into the Server Address field, give it a name, and click Done. Then click the server in your list and select Join Server. If you connect without an error, the address is correct and you can share it.

If you get an error message, double-check that you copied the address exactly — including any numbers after a colon. Make sure the server is actually running (if it's on your computer or a company's dashboard, check that it shows as "online" or "running"). If it's still not working, the address might be wrong, the server might be down, or there might be a firewall blocking the connection. Ask the person who set up the server or contact the hosting company's support.

Sharing your address safely

Once you have a working address, you can share it however you want — Discord, text message, email, or in person. There's no security risk in sharing your server's IP address the way there would be sharing your home IP address, because the server address is specifically meant to be public and only connects to Minecraft.

If you want to stop letting someone play on your server, you can ban them from inside the game (use the /ban command) or change your invite code in Realms. For a hosted server, most companies let you manage a whitelist or ban list in the dashboard. For a local server, you can edit the banned-players.json file in your server folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my invite address have numbers and a colon at the end?

The numbers after the colon are the port — the specific channel your server uses to communicate. Minecraft's default port is 25565. You need to include it when you share the address, or friends won't be able to find your server. If your hosting company gave you a different port, always include that number too.

Can I change my invite address?

In Realms, you can regenerate your invite code in the Settings menu, which creates a new code and invalidates the old one. For a hosted server, the address usually stays the same unless you delete and recreate the server. For a local server, your IP address can change if your router restarts, so you might want to set up a static IP address in your router settings to keep it consistent.

What's the difference between an IP address and a domain name?

An IP address is a string of numbers (like 192.168.1.100), while a domain name is a text address (like play.example.com). They do the same thing — they tell Minecraft where your server is. Domain names are easier to remember and share, but they cost money and require extra setup. Most players use IP addresses or Realms codes instead.

Do I need to give friends my home IP address?

No. Your server's invite address is separate from your home internet IP address. Sharing your server address is safe and expected. Never share your home IP address with anyone online.

Why can't my friend connect even though I gave them the right address?

The most common reasons are: the server is offline or not running, your friend typed the address wrong, a firewall is blocking the connection, or the server is full. Ask your friend to check the exact error message they see — it usually tells you what went wrong. If the server is on your computer, make sure it's still running in the background.