How to play Minecraft Java with friends
On the same Wi-Fi, "Open to LAN" is all you need. When your friends are somewhere else, your world has to be reachable from the internet. Here are all the options with their trade-offs.
The quickest way without a server: one of you hosts their singleplayer world and the others join from the multiplayer menu. On the same network that works with "Open to LAN". Over the internet you need port forwarding, a VPN, or a tool like CraftProxy where only you, the host, install a mod.
Which way fits your group?
The main question is whether your world should stay online while the host isn't playing. If you always play together anyway, you don't need a server running around the clock.
| Method | Friends elsewhere | Online without host | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open to LAN | No, same network only | No | None |
| Host your world with CraftProxy | Yes | No | Mod on the host, one command |
| Port forwarding | Yes | No (or own server) | Router settings, fails behind CGNAT |
| VPN software | Yes | No | Every player installs the VPN |
| Rented server | Yes | Yes | Setup, usually a monthly cost |
On the same Wi-Fi: Open to LAN
When everyone is on the same network you don't need anything extra. This is the easiest way for siblings, roommates or a LAN party.
- Open your singleplayer world.
- Press Esc and choose Open to LAN.
- Pick the game mode and cheats, then click Start LAN World.
- Your friends open Multiplayer. The world shows up at the bottom of the list under LAN worlds.
If the world doesn't show up, a guest network or a firewall is often blocking discovery. The guide Minecraft LAN over the internet covers this and errors like "getsockopt".
Friends somewhere else: put your world online
"Open to LAN" only works inside your own network. For friends to join from their homes, your world has to be reachable from the internet. The classic way is port forwarding: you tell your router to pass connections on one port to your PC. That needs access to the router, every player learns your public IP address, and behind CGNAT it doesn't work at all.
CraftProxy works differently. The mod opens a connection from your PC to our relay. Your friends connect to an address like 951edaf5.craftproxy.net and the relay sends them to your world. You don't change anything on your router, and nobody sees your IP.
How to host with CraftProxy
-
1
Install the mod
Put CraftProxy in your
modsfolder (Fabric). Only you, the host, need it. -
2
Type /host in your world
Open a singleplayer world and type
/hostin chat. CraftProxy opens a tunnel to our relay. -
3
Send the address
Your friends add the address as a server in the multiplayer menu and join.
Your friends only need Minecraft Java Edition on the same version as you, plus the same mods if you play a modpack.
Playing together often? If your friends install CraftProxy too, add each other in the Social menu (key I). You see who is online, chat with them and invite them with one click instead of sending an address every time.
When the world should always be online
With CraftProxy, LAN or a VPN, the world is only online while the host plays. If your friends should keep building without you, you need a server that runs all the time: either on a machine of your own that stays on, or rented from a host. What that means and when it is worth it is covered in Free Minecraft server.
With mods or a modpack
With a modpack, every player needs the same mods on the same versions. The guide Play modpacks with friends explains how to get that right with a launcher.
Questions
Can you play Minecraft Java with friends without renting a server?
Yes. One player hosts their singleplayer world and the others join. On the same network that works with "Open to LAN", over the internet for example with CraftProxy, port forwarding or a VPN. The world is then only online while the host plays.
Do my friends have to install anything?
Not with CraftProxy. Only the host installs the Fabric mod; friends join with regular Minecraft Java from the multiplayer menu. With a VPN, on the other hand, every player has to install the VPN software.
Do my friends need the same Minecraft version?
Yes. Joining with a different version gives an error like "Outdated client" or "Outdated server". You can pick the matching version in the launcher.
Does the new friends list in Minecraft Java let us play together?
Minecraft Java has had its own friends list since version 26.2. It shows which friends are online. Mojang tested invites into your own singleplayer world in a snapshot but removed them before release. To play in one world together you still need LAN, a server or a tool like CraftProxy.
How many friends can join at once?
That mostly depends on the host's PC, because your computer runs the world for everyone. A normal gaming PC is fine for a small group of friends. Large modpacks need more memory on the host.