How to Play Minecraft with Friends

Playing Minecraft with friends is one of the best experiences the game has to offer. Building together, exploring caves, surviving nights - everything is better when you share it with someone. But if you've never set up multiplayer before, it can feel confusing.

This guide covers every method in detail so you can pick the one that works best for you.

Method 1: LAN (Local Network Play)

LAN is the simplest way to play Minecraft with a friend - but only if you're in the same room, connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

How to set up LAN play

1. One player opens a singleplayer world
2. Press Esc and click "Open to LAN"
3. Choose your game mode and click "Start LAN World"
4. Your friend opens Minecraft, goes to Multiplayer, and your world should appear in the list

Pros

• Completely free
• No setup or accounts needed beyond owning the game
• Works instantly

Cons

• Only works when you're on the same Wi-Fi network (same house)
• The world is only available while the host player is playing
• Not ideal for more than 2–3 players
• If the host's computer is slow, everyone suffers

Best for: Quick sessions when friends are physically together.

Method 2: Minecraft Realms

Minecraft Realms is the official subscription service from Mojang. It lets you create an online world that up to 10 friends can join at any time.

How to set up Realms

1. Open Minecraft and go to Minecraft Realms
2. Click "Create Realm" or start a free trial
3. Name your world and invite friends by their Minecraft username
4. Your friends can join the world anytime, even when you're offline

Pros

• Very easy to set up - no technical knowledge needed
• The world is always online (24/7)
• Built right into the game

Cons

• Limited to 10 players at a time
• You cannot choose the server location - Mojang decides, so you might get lag
• Very limited customization: no mods, no plugins, limited world settings
• If you cancel, you lose access to the world (you can download a backup, but you can't keep playing online)
• Costs around $8/month for Java Edition

Best for: Small groups who want a simple, official solution and don't care about mods or custom settings.

Method 3: Self-Hosted Server (on Your Own Computer)

You can download the Minecraft server software from Mojang's website and run it on your own PC. This turns your computer into a server that friends can connect to over the internet.

How to set up a self-hosted server

1. Download the Minecraft server .jar file from the official website
2. Run the file and configure server settings (server.properties)
3. Set up port forwarding on your router (port 25565)
4. Share your public IP address with your friends
5. Friends connect using your IP in the Multiplayer menu

Pros

• Free (no monthly cost)
• Full control over server settings, mods, and plugins
• No player limits beyond what your hardware can handle

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge: port forwarding, firewall rules, Java configuration
• Shares your home IP address with everyone who connects - this is a real security and privacy risk
• The server is only online while your computer is running
• Your PC's performance suffers while hosting
• If your internet goes down, so does the server
• Setting up mods or plugins requires even more technical work

Best for: Tech-savvy players who want full control and don't mind managing everything themselves.

Method 4: Minecraft Server Hosting (Easiest Online Option)

A Minecraft server hosting service runs your server on dedicated hardware in a data center. You don't need to worry about your own computer's performance, port forwarding, or leaving your PC on all day.

This is how most friend groups play Minecraft together online - you get a server that's always on, and everyone just connects with a simple address.

How it works with LuckyChunk

Most hosting services ask you to choose RAM amounts, CPU cores, server software versions, and configure everything through a control panel. That's overwhelming if you just want to play with friends.

LuckyChunk takes a different approach. Here's all you do:

1. Pick your Minecraft version
2. Pay ($10/month)
3. Your server is ready - share the address with your friends

That's it. No settings to configure, no control panels to learn, no technical knowledge needed. The server is online 24/7, optimized for groups of up to 20 friends.

Why use a hosting service instead of Realms?

• More players - up to 20 friends instead of Realm's 10
• Better performance - dedicated hardware means less lag
• Server location - optimized for your region, not randomly assigned
• More reliable - professional infrastructure vs Mojang's basic Realms servers

Comparison: All 4 Ways to Play Minecraft with Friends

Which Method Should You Choose?

Here's the quick answer:

• Playing in the same room? Use LAN - it's free and instant.
• Want to play online with a small group and don't mind limitations? Realms works fine.
• Want full control and you're comfortable with networking? Host it yourself.
• Want to play online with friends without any hassle? Use LuckyChunk. Pick your version, pay, and your server is ready in under a minute. No technical skills needed.

Most players who just want a shared world with friends go with a hosting service because it combines the simplicity of Realms with better performance and more flexibility. With LuckyChunk, it's even simpler - we removed all the complicated parts so you can focus on what matters: playing Minecraft with your friends.