Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Learn how to play multiplayer in Minecraft Java Edition 26.1. We go over every method you can use to start playing with friends in Minecraft 26.1, meaning you can get online and playing together no matter what.
Play Minecraft with your friends quickly & easily with a server from SimpleGameHosting! Get your server set up in under 5 minutes!
https://TheBreakdown.xyz/Simple
Server List: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/MCServersOrg
Make a Free Server: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/ServerDownload
Essential Mod: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/EssentialsMod
Minecraft Realms: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/MinecraftRealms
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★ Join The Discord Support Community: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/Discord
► Subscribe!: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/YTSub
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Best Texture Packs: youtu.be/BCiX7-dsyVo
Make a Modded Server: youtu.be/W6u1GiWEnC8
---------------------------------------------
★ Social
Twitter: Twitter.com/TheBreakdownXYZ
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thebreakdownxyz
About this video: This video is our complete guide on how to play multiplayer in Minecraft Java Edition. We will be going over every single method available to you so that no matter what, you will be able to find the perfect way to play Minecraft Java Edition with your friends.
First things first, the easiest way to jump into Minecraft multiplayer is by joining a public server. We have a link in the description above to a list of tons of public Minecraft servers you can choose from. Once you have found a server you want to play on, grab the server's IP address.
From there, open up Minecraft Java Edition and click on "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Then, click "Add Server" at the bottom of the screen. You can name the server whatever you want, and then paste the server's IP address into the "Server Address" field. Click "Done" and the server will appear in your multiplayer menu. Double-click it to join. Your friends will need to do the same thing, and from there you can find each other and start playing together.
One downside of public servers, though, is that you don't have control over the world. The server could shut down at any time, and you could lose all your progress. If you want a private server that you are fully in control of, you have a couple of options. The first is making your own free Minecraft server on your PC. This does require some technical knowledge, like port forwarding, but we have a complete guide on how to do it linked in the description above.
If you want something much simpler, you can use a third-party hosting company like SimpleGameHosting. With a host like this, you can get your own Minecraft server up and running in just a few minutes without worrying about the technical side of things. The process of joining is the same as a public server except you have full control.
Another way to play Minecraft Java Edition with your friends is using a LAN world. To do this, you and your friends will need to be on the same internet connection. Open a singleplayer world, pause the game, and click "Open to LAN". Adjust your settings and click "Start LAN World". Your world is now joinable by anyone on your network.
For your friends to join, they just need to open Minecraft, click "Multiplayer", and wait a few seconds. Your LAN world will appear in the list, and they can double-click it to join.
There is also one more option worth knowing about, and that is the Essential mod. We have a link to the Essential mod in the description above. Once you have it installed, you can invite friends directly into your singleplayer world without needing to set up a server at all. It is a great option if you want something quick and simple.
Minecraft Realms can also be used, but we recommend using a host over realms if you are going to pay for hosting.
With that, you now know every way to play with friends in Minecraft Java Edition. If you have any questions about any of these methods, let us know in the comments. We will try our best to help you out.
Otherwise, be sure to give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. It really helps us out, and it means a ton to me. Thank you very, very much in advance!
Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links or companies I have an ownership stake in. I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you if you go to these sites and make a purchase.
Learn how to play multiplayer in Minecraft Java Edition 26.1. We go over every method you can use to start playing with friends in Minecraft 26.1, meaning you can get online and playing together no matter what.
Play Minecraft with your friends quickly & easily with a server from SimpleGameHosting! Get your server set up in under 5 minutes!
https://TheBreakdown.xyz/Simple
Server List: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/MCServersOrg
Make a Free Server: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/ServerDownload
Essential Mod: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/EssentialsMod
Minecraft Realms: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/MinecraftRealms
---------------------------------------------
★ Join The Discord Support Community: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/Discord
► Subscribe!: https://TheBreakdown.xyz/YTSub
---------------------------------------------
Best Texture Packs: youtu.be/BCiX7-dsyVo
Make a Modded Server: youtu.be/W6u1GiWEnC8
---------------------------------------------
★ Social
Twitter: Twitter.com/TheBreakdownXYZ
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thebreakdownxyz
About this video: This video is our complete guide on how to play multiplayer in Minecraft Java Edition. We will be going over every single method available to you so that no matter what, you will be able to find the perfect way to play Minecraft Java Edition with your friends.
First things first, the easiest way to jump into Minecraft multiplayer is by joining a public server. We have a link in the description above to a list of tons of public Minecraft servers you can choose from. Once you have found a server you want to play on, grab the server's IP address.
From there, open up Minecraft Java Edition and click on "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Then, click "Add Server" at the bottom of the screen. You can name the server whatever you want, and then paste the server's IP address into the "Server Address" field. Click "Done" and the server will appear in your multiplayer menu. Double-click it to join. Your friends will need to do the same thing, and from there you can find each other and start playing together.
One downside of public servers, though, is that you don't have control over the world. The server could shut down at any time, and you could lose all your progress. If you want a private server that you are fully in control of, you have a couple of options. The first is making your own free Minecraft server on your PC. This does require some technical knowledge, like port forwarding, but we have a complete guide on how to do it linked in the description above.
If you want something much simpler, you can use a third-party hosting company like SimpleGameHosting. With a host like this, you can get your own Minecraft server up and running in just a few minutes without worrying about the technical side of things. The process of joining is the same as a public server except you have full control.
Another way to play Minecraft Java Edition with your friends is using a LAN world. To do this, you and your friends will need to be on the same internet connection. Open a singleplayer world, pause the game, and click "Open to LAN". Adjust your settings and click "Start LAN World". Your world is now joinable by anyone on your network.
For your friends to join, they just need to open Minecraft, click "Multiplayer", and wait a few seconds. Your LAN world will appear in the list, and they can double-click it to join.
There is also one more option worth knowing about, and that is the Essential mod. We have a link to the Essential mod in the description above. Once you have it installed, you can invite friends directly into your singleplayer world without needing to set up a server at all. It is a great option if you want something quick and simple.
Minecraft Realms can also be used, but we recommend using a host over realms if you are going to pay for hosting.
With that, you now know every way to play with friends in Minecraft Java Edition. If you have any questions about any of these methods, let us know in the comments. We will try our best to help you out.
Otherwise, be sure to give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. It really helps us out, and it means a ton to me. Thank you very, very much in advance!
Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links or companies I have an ownership stake in. I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you if you go to these sites and make a purchase.
