Make a Minecraft server with friends
Your own Java server: set it up, lock it to your friends, let them in, and don't lose the world.
We've run a lot of game servers, and the same three things go wrong every time: the wrong Java, a server anyone can join, and a world with no backup. This course does it right from the start. It's for Minecraft Java Edition on a Windows, Mac or Linux machine you control. Bedrock players, level 1 tells you your options too.
By Dispresso
Playing as a guest. Level 1 is yours to try. Sign in to save XP, keep a streak and earn the badge.
Sign in to saveLevel 1 of 5
Pick your path
About 5 minutes
There are four ways to play together. Pick the one that fits before you download anything.
- Open to LAN: pause menu, Open to LAN. Free, instant, but only people on your Wi-Fi, and only while you're playing.
- Realms: Mojang's paid subscription. Easiest by far, always on, no setup. Not much control over mods.
- Host it yourself (this course): free if you have a decent spare PC, full control, plugins, mods, whatever you want.
- Rent a host: someone else's machine, a few dollars a month for small servers. Everything in levels 2, 3 and 5 still applies.
Friends on Bedrock (console, phone, Windows Bedrock) can't join a normal Java server. The Geyser plugin bridges them in. Or run Mojang's Bedrock Dedicated Server instead, but then Java players are out. Pick one side, or use Geyser.
Rough RAM guide for a Java server: 2 GB for a couple of friends on vanilla, 4 GB for 5 to 10 players, more for modpacks. The CPU's single core speed matters more than core count.
Boss question