How to Join a Minecraft Server and Invite Your Friends

What you need first

The server address. It can be a numeric IP (like 51.75.10.20) or a name (like yourserver.play.napnodes.com). Sometimes it has the port after it, separated by a colon (:25566); if you're given it like that, type the whole thing.

The server version. Your Minecraft has to be on the same one: if the server is on one version and you're on another, the game won't let you in and shows “Incompatible client! Please use” followed by the server's version (on a Paper server, “Outdated client!” or “Outdated server!”). Whoever runs the server can see it in the console at startup. This and the other errors are covered in can't connect to the server.

A Minecraft account. Normal servers check every account with Mojang when you join, so each friend needs their own: you can't join twice at the same time with the same account.

Joining from Minecraft Java (PC)

1. Choose the version in the launcher

   If the server isn't on the latest version, in the launcher go to “Installations” → “New installation”, pick the server's version and play with that. If it's on the latest, you don't need to change anything.

2. Open “Multiplayer”

   From the main menu. The first time, the game shows a warning about third-party servers: accept it to continue.

3. Press “Add Server”

   In “Server Name”, whatever you like (only you see it), and in “Server Address”, the address. Press “Done”.

4. Join

   The server appears in your list with its online players and its message. Double-click it or press “Join Server”. If you're only joining once, “Direct Connection” does the same without saving it.

Inviting your friends

Minecraft has no in-game invites for a server: you invite people by sending them the address. Send it over WhatsApp or Discord, with the version, and each of them adds it in their “Multiplayer” as above. The address is the same for everyone.

If the server has the whitelist turned on, you also have to add each friend with whitelist add Name in the console (with their exact Minecraft name). Otherwise they'll see “You are not white-listed on this server!” (on Paper, “You are not whitelisted on this server!”). The commands are in the admin commands guide.

If the server has mods (Fabric, Forge or NeoForge), each friend needs the same mods and the same version in their game. The easiest thing is for all of you to install the same modpack. With plugins (Paper) there's nothing to install: plugins only go on the server.

Bedrock friends: mobile, Windows and consoles

A Java server doesn't accept Bedrock players on its own. With the Geyser and Floodgate plugins on a Paper server, it does: they join with the same address, but on Bedrock the port has to be typed separately (“Servers” → “Add Server”). It doesn't work on modded servers.

On Xbox, PlayStation and Switch the game doesn't let you add external servers: there's a workaround with BedrockConnect. It's all in the Java and Bedrock together guide.

What about Open to LAN or playing on your PC?

“Open to LAN” only works for people on your home network, and the game closes when you leave. To play with friends who are at their own homes you need a server with a public address: on your PC, opening ports on the router (and with the PC on while they play), or a rented or free one. The options are in the guide to playing with friends without port forwarding.

On a NapNodes server

1. Copy the address

   When you open your server in the panel there's the “Address to play” card with the “Copy” button. It also arrives in the “your server is ready” email. In Minecraft Java it's typed without the port.

2. Give it an easy name

   With “Change”, on that same card, you pick a name your friends will remember (letters, numbers and hyphens). It works within a couple of minutes and the old address still works.

3. Send it to your friends

   Each of them adds it in “Multiplayer” → “Add Server”. For Bedrock players, turn on Bedrock in “Mods & plugins” and give them the port too.

4. If it's the free server, start it first

   The free server shuts down by itself after 20 minutes with nobody on. The account holder presses “Start” in the panel and, if there's room, you can join within a couple of minutes (if not, the panel gives them a place in the start queue). If you want it always on so everyone can join whenever they like, that's a plan: same server, same world.

Frequently asked questions