How to Play Minecraft Together: LAN, Realms, Servers

Comparing the methods: which to choose

Each way of playing together has different requirements, costs and limitations. Here's a quick comparison:

Method	Cost	Players	Range	Difficulty
LAN	0 PLN	2-8	Same Wi-Fi/LAN network	Easy
Realms	15-35 PLN/month	2-10	Anywhere (internet)	Easy
Public server	0 PLN	10-1,000+	Anywhere	Easy (joining)
Your own server	0 PLN (your PC) or 15-60 PLN/month (hosting)	2-100+	Anywhere	Medium
Splitscreen	0 PLN	2-4	One TV	Easy (consoles only)

Quick recommendation: LAN if you're playing with someone in the same house, Realms if you want a private world with friends over the internet and zero setup, and your own server if you want full control.

LAN: playing on a local network (step by step)

LAN is the fastest way to play together. It needs no server and costs nothing extra. The one condition: both computers have to be on the same network (Wi-Fi, or Ethernet cables to the same router).

Java Edition: step by step

1. The host opens the world. Launch Minecraft Java, go to Singleplayer and open the world you want to share. It can be new or existing.

2. Open to LAN. Press Escape → Open to LAN. Choose:

Game Mode: Survival, Creative or Adventure (applies to the players who join).
Allow Commands (cheats): on or off. If you turn it on, all players can use commands.

Click Start LAN World. A message with the port number appears in the chat, for example "Local game hosted on port 52834". Write that number down.

3. The other player joins. On the second computer, open Minecraft (the same version as the host). Click Multiplayer. The LAN world should appear in the server list automatically. Click it and join.

If the world doesn't show up in the list: click Direct Connection. Enter the host's IP and port, for example 192.168.0.10:52834. Here's how to find the host's IP:

Windows: open cmd and type ipconfig. Look for IPv4 Address under Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Mac: System Settings → Network → the IP is shown under the active connection.
Linux: terminal → ip addr or hostname -I.

Bedrock Edition: LAN

In Bedrock, LAN works in a similar way, but it's even simpler. The host opens the world and, in the world settings, turns on Multiplayer Game and Visible to LAN Players. A second player on the same Wi-Fi sees the world in the Friends tab: click it and join.

Bedrock LAN works across platforms: PC, phone, tablet and console can play together if they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

LAN limitations

Range: the same network only. Someone in another city can't play with you.
The host has to stay online: when the host leaves the game, everyone gets disconnected.
Version: all players need exactly the same version of Minecraft.
LAN settings aren't saved: after you reload the world, you have to click Open to LAN again, because the settings aren't kept.
Firewall: the Windows or macOS firewall may block the connection. Add an exception for javaw.exe (Java) or Minecraft.Windows.exe (Bedrock).

Minecraft Realms: a private server from Mojang

Realms is a server hosted by Mojang: you pay a monthly subscription and get a private world that's available 24/7 from anywhere. No setup, no port forwarding, no technical knowledge needed.

How to start a Realm

1. In the Minecraft main menu, click Minecraft Realms (Java) or Play → Realms (Bedrock).

2. Click Buy a Realm or Create Realm. Choose a plan (Java: 1 plan, Bedrock: 2 plans).

3. Pay for the subscription (card, PayPal, prepaid codes).

4. Name your Realm and choose a world (a new one, one uploaded from a file, or a ready-made template).

5. Invite players by entering their Minecraft usernames. Invited players see the Realm in their server list.

Realms Java vs Realms Bedrock

Feature	Realms Java	Realms Bedrock
Price	~35 PLN/month	~15 PLN (2 players) or ~30 PLN (10 players)
Players at once	Up to 10 + the owner	Up to 2 or 10 + the owner
Mods/plugins	No (vanilla or data packs)	No (vanilla or Marketplace)
Backups	Automatic (the last 3)	Automatic + manual
Crossplay	No (Java only)	Yes (PC, phone, console)
Realms Plus content	No	Yes (free maps, skins, packs)

Pros and cons of Realms

Pros: zero setup, the server runs 24/7 (you don't have to be online), automatic backups, easy player invites, official support from Mojang.

Cons: no mods or plugins (Java Realms), a limited number of players, the subscription cost, Mojang's servers can be slower than good hosting, and no access to the server files.

Joining public servers

Public servers are worlds run by the community: thousands of players, minigames, survival, creative, PvP, RPG. Joining is free.

How to join: Java Edition

Open Minecraft → Multiplayer → Add Server.
Enter a server name (anything you like, it's just for you) and the server address (for example mc.hypixel.net or play.serwer.pl).
Click Done → select the server in the list → Join Server.

How to join: Bedrock Edition

Open Minecraft → Play → Servers tab.
At the bottom of the list, click Add Server.
Enter the name, the address and the port (19132 by default for Bedrock).
Save and join.

Where to find Polish servers

The minecraft.pl server list: Polish servers with descriptions, ratings and online status.
Discord: join our Discord (in Polish) and use the #szukam-serwera channel.
Forum: the servers section on forum.minecraft.pl (in Polish).

Staying safe on servers

Never give out your password in chat: admins never ask for it.
Avoid offline-mode ("non-premium") servers that don't verify accounts with Mojang: someone could log in as you.
Don't click links from unknown players in the server chat.
Read the server rules before you play: every server has its own.

Your own server with port forwarding

If you want full control (mods, plugins, settings, a whitelist), set up your own server. You can host it on your own computer (for free) or rent hosting (15-60 PLN/month).

A server on your own PC: step by step

1. Download the server. Go to minecraft.net/download/server and download server.jar. For mods or plugins, download a Paper, Fabric or Forge server instead.

2. Start the server. Put server.jar in a new folder. Open a terminal/cmd in that folder and type:

java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar server.jar nogui

The -Xmx4G parameter gives the server 4 GB of RAM. On its first launch, the server generates its config files and stops with a message about the EULA.

3. Accept the EULA. Open the eula.txt file and change eula=false to eula=true. Start the server again.

4. Configure server.properties. The key settings:

server-port=25565: the default Minecraft port.
max-players=20: the player limit.
white-list=true: only invited players can join.
online-mode=true: verifies Mojang accounts (leave it set to true).
motd=Friends' server: the description shown in the server list.

5. Port forwarding. For players on the internet to be able to join, you have to forward port 25565 from your router to your computer:

Log in to your router's admin panel (type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 into your browser). The login and password are usually on a sticker on the router.
Find the Port Forwarding, NAT or Virtual Server section.
Add a rule: external port 25565, internal port 25565, protocol TCP, internal IP = your computer's IP (check it with ipconfig).
Save the settings.

6. Give your friends the address. You can check your public IP at whatismyip.com. Your friends join by entering Your.Public.IP:25565.

Hosting: an alternative without port forwarding

If you don't want to share your IP or keep your computer running 24/7, rent Minecraft hosting. See our Minecraft hosting comparison: prices start at 15 PLN/month for 2-4 GB of RAM.

Crossplay: Java + Bedrock together (GeyserMC)

Java and Bedrock are technically two different games with separate network protocols. By default they can't play together. GeyserMC is a free plugin that translates the Bedrock protocol to Java, so a Bedrock player can join a Java server.

How it works

GeyserMC works as a bridge (proxy) on the Java server. The Bedrock player connects to GeyserMC, which translates the network packets into the Java format and passes them on to the server. The server sees the Bedrock player as a Java player. It works on Paper, Spigot, Fabric, Forge, BungeeCord and Velocity.

Installing GeyserMC (on Paper/Spigot)

Download GeyserMC (a .jar file) from the project's website.
Put the file in the server's plugins/ folder.
Restart the server.
GeyserMC creates the config file plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml. By default it listens on port 19132 (Bedrock).
The Bedrock player joins with: address = the server's IP, port = 19132.

Crossplay limitations

Different mechanics: combat in Java (with the attack cooldown) works differently than in Bedrock (no cooldown). Redstone behaves differently too.
Missing features: some blocks and items look different or don't exist in one of the editions.
Skins: Java skins don't display correctly for Bedrock players, and vice versa.
Performance: GeyserMC adds overhead, so the server needs more RAM (an extra 256-512 MB).

Splitscreen on console

Splitscreen means playing on a split screen: two (or more) players on one TV, each with their own controller. It works only on consoles, in Bedrock Edition.

Supported platforms

PlayStation 4 / PS5: up to 4 players in splitscreen.
Xbox One / Series X|S: up to 4 players in splitscreen.
Nintendo Switch: up to 4 players in splitscreen (dock + TV).
PC and mobile devices: splitscreen is NOT supported.

How to start splitscreen

Connect a second controller to the console.
Sign the second player in on the console (they need a PSN/Xbox Live/Nintendo account).
The first player opens a world in Minecraft.
The second player presses the start button on their controller and joins the game on a split screen.

Tip: 4-player splitscreen on a small TV is hard to read. On screens smaller than 50 inches, stick to 2 players. On Switch in handheld mode, splitscreen is technically possible, but a 6.2-inch screen is too small for two people to play comfortably.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I play Minecraft with someone on another continent?

Yes. LAN needs the same network, but public servers, Realms and servers with port forwarding work from anywhere in the world. You need a Minecraft account, an internet connection and the server address.

How much does Minecraft Realms cost?

Realms Java: ~35 PLN/month (up to 10 players). Realms Bedrock: ~15 PLN (2 players) or ~30 PLN (10 players). The first month is often free (a trial).

Can Minecraft Java and Bedrock play together?

Not by default. With the GeyserMC plugin on a Java server, Bedrock players can join. GeyserMC is free and works on Paper, Spigot, Fabric and Forge.

How do two people play on one TV (splitscreen)?

Splitscreen works on PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X|S and Nintendo Switch (docked). Connect a second controller, sign the second player in and enter a world: the second player joins with the start button. PC and phones don't support splitscreen.

My LAN world doesn't show up. What should I do?

Check: (1) the same Minecraft version on both computers; (2) the firewall: add an exception for javaw.exe; (3) the same Wi-Fi/LAN network; (4) turn off your VPN. If it still doesn't work, use Direct Connection with the host's IP and the port from the chat.

How do I set up port forwarding for Minecraft?

Router panel (192.168.0.1) → Port Forwarding → add a rule: port 25565, TCP, IP = your computer's address on the local network. Give your friends your public IP (whatismyip.com) and port 25565. The details depend on your router model.

Playing together is at the heart of Minecraft, from mining diamonds as a pair to massive builds with a crew of 20. Start with LAN if your computers are in the same room. Move to Realms when you want to play over the internet without any setup. Set up your own server once you're ready for mods and plugins.

If you're looking for a Polish server, check our server list. To set up your own server with mods, read our guide to making a Minecraft server. And if you're wondering which hosting to pick, we've compared the 8 most popular providers.