Updated 24 October 2026. Every answer lists its source.
Minecraft multiplayer questions, answered
Every way to play Minecraft with other people - on the same Wi-Fi, on the same screen, through Realms or on a server - and what each one needs on Java and Bedrock.
What are the ways to play Minecraft multiplayer?
Four ways: a LAN game on the same network, a Realm, a server, or split-screen on a console. Bedrock also lets Xbox friends join your world.
Java players use LAN, Realms and servers. Bedrock players can do all of these plus join friends through the Xbox network from any device.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
What is the easiest way to play Minecraft with friends?
On Bedrock, add each other as Xbox friends and join from the Worlds or Friends tab. On Java, share your world on LAN or rent a Realm.
Java 26.2 also added an in-game friends list. A Realm stays online when you log off, so friends can play without you. LAN only works while the host plays on the same network.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer, Minecraft Wiki - Realms, Minecraft Wiki - Java Edition 26.2
Do you need internet to play Minecraft multiplayer?
Not for LAN. Players on the same Wi-Fi or router can play together without an internet connection.
Realms, servers and Xbox friend joins all need the internet. On consoles a LAN game still needs the console's online subscription.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
How many people can play Minecraft together?
A Java LAN world holds 8 players. A Realm holds its owner plus 10. A server can hold as many as its hardware allows.
Bedrock worlds hosted by a player hold 5 or 8 depending on the device, and /setmaxplayers can raise it to 40.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Open to LAN, Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Can you play Minecraft multiplayer offline?
Yes, over LAN. Two devices on the same local network can share a world without going online.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Open to LAN
How do you open a world to LAN on Java?
On Java 26.3+, press Esc, open World Options and set LAN to Local in the Multiplayer section. Older versions use the Open to LAN button in the pause menu.
The same screen sets command access, the port and a forced game mode. Players on the same network see the world at the bottom of their Multiplayer screen.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Java Edition 26.3, Minecraft Wiki - Open to LAN
How do you play LAN on Minecraft Bedrock?
Turn on Visible to LAN Players in the world's multiplayer settings. Players on the same network see it in their Friends or Worlds tab.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
Why can't my friend see my LAN world?
Both devices must be on the same network and the same version. A firewall blocking Java, or a guest Wi-Fi, often hides the world.
On Java you can also connect by typing the host's local IP and the LAN port shown in chat into Direct Connect.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Open to LAN
Can you play LAN over the internet?
Not directly. LAN only reaches devices on the same local network. For friends far away use a Realm, a server or Bedrock's Xbox friend joins.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Open to LAN
How do you invite friends to a Minecraft Realm?
Open your Realm's settings and invite players by name, or share the invite link or code. Only the Realm owner needs to pay.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Is there a free Minecraft Realms trial?
Yes. Each account can get one 30-day free Realms trial if it has not used one before.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
How many players can be on a Minecraft Realm?
The owner plus 10 other players on Java Realms and Bedrock Realms Plus. Bedrock Realms Core allows the owner plus 2.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Do friends need to pay to join a Realm?
No. Only the owner pays. Invited friends join for free.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Can you use mods on Minecraft Realms?
Not Java mods. Java Realms run vanilla Minecraft. Bedrock Realms can use add-ons and Marketplace content.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Can you upload your world to a Realm?
Yes. In the Realm settings choose to replace the world and upload a singleplayer world from your device.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Can you download your Realm world?
Yes. The Realm owner can download a backup of the world from the Realm settings.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Realms
Is a Realm or a server better?
A Realm is easier: official, always online and set up in game. A server gives more control, mods or plugins, and more players.
How do you add friends on Minecraft Bedrock?
Open the Friends tab or the social menu, choose Add Friend and search their Xbox gamertag. Accept invites the same way.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
How do you join a friend's world on Minecraft Bedrock?
Once you are Xbox friends, their open world appears in your Friends (or Worlds) tab. Select it to join.
The host controls who can join in Edit World, Multiplayer: Invited players, Friends (default) or Friends of friends.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
Can PC and Xbox play Minecraft together?
Yes, with Bedrock Edition. Bedrock on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and phones all play together.
Java Edition on PC cannot join Xbox players directly; it only plays with other Java players.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Can PS5 and PC play Minecraft together?
Yes, if the PC player uses Bedrock Edition. PlayStation runs Bedrock, so it plays with Bedrock on any device.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Can Switch and Xbox play Minecraft together?
Yes. Both run Bedrock Edition, which has crossplay between all its devices.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Can mobile and PC play Minecraft together?
Yes, with Bedrock Edition on the PC. Phones and tablets run Bedrock and join Bedrock players on any device.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Does Minecraft have split-screen?
Yes, on consoles. Bedrock on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch supports up to four players on one screen.
Java Edition and Bedrock on PC or phones do not have split-screen.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Splitscreen
How do you play split-screen in Minecraft?
Start a world, connect a second controller and press its start button. The new player picks a profile and joins.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Splitscreen
Can you play split-screen on a server?
Split-screen works in local worlds and Realms. Featured servers do not support it.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Splitscreen
Can you play split-screen on Minecraft PC?
No. Split-screen is only in the console versions of Bedrock Edition.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Splitscreen
How do you turn off PvP when playing with friends?
Use the pvp game rule: /gamerule pvp false on Java 1.21.9+. On Bedrock turn off Friendly Fire in the world settings.
On Java 1.21.8 and older, PvP was set by pvp= in server.properties instead.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Game rule, Minecraft Wiki - Server.properties
How do you mute or block a player in Minecraft?
On Java open Social Interactions (P key) to hide a player's chat. On Bedrock, mute or block them from the player list or Xbox profile.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
How do you report a player in Minecraft?
On Java, open Social Interactions (P), pick the player and press Report. On Bedrock, report from the pause menu player list or Xbox profile.
Reports go to Mojang. Servers often have their own report command and staff as well.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Social interactions, Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
Does the game pause in multiplayer?
No. Opening the menu does not stop the world in multiplayer. Mobs keep moving and furnaces keep smelting.
On Java, an operator can freeze the game with /tick freeze.
How do you see who is online in Minecraft?
Hold Tab on Java to see the player list. On Bedrock the pause menu lists the players in the world.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Controls
How do you send a private message in Minecraft?
Type /msg, /tell or /w followed by the player name and your message.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Msg
What is player reporting in Minecraft Java?
Java players can report chat messages (since 1.19.1) and skins and names (since 1.20.2) to Mojang. A ban stops you joining online servers.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Social interactions, Minecraft Wiki - Multiplayer
More questions
Every topic is on the FAQ hub. Questions about the ArtemisPvP server itself (commands, ranks, events) are on the server FAQ. Server IP: play.artemispvp.com.