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Aternos lets you create and run a Minecraft server without paying for hosting. It supports both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, but it is not an always-on service: the server shuts down after the last player leaves. That makes it suitable for friends’ survival worlds, temporary creative builds, testing plugins, and occasional multiplayer sessions.
This guide covers the complete setup, including account creation, choosing server software, joining the server, configuring access, adding Java plugins, enabling Java–Bedrock cross-play, and protecting the world with backups.
What you need before creating the server
- An Aternos account
- Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition
- The correct server edition for your players, unless you configure cross-play with Geyser
- A web browser for managing the server
Aternos is free, but it does not provide traditional 24/7 hosting. The server normally stops when nobody is playing. Aternos says there is no fixed playtime limit while at least one person remains online and active, but an empty server is automatically stopped. Do not use bots, scripts, or idle accounts to keep it running; artificial activity violates Aternos rules and can result in a shutdown or account restriction.
1. Create an Aternos account
- Open Aternos.org.
- Click Play.
- On the account page, click Sign up.
- Choose a username and password.
- Accept the terms and privacy policy, then complete registration.
You can optionally add an email address. Google sign-up is also available. After registering, sign in to open the Aternos server management panel.
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2. Create the Minecraft server
- Click Create a server.
- Choose Java or Bedrock Edition.
- Enter a server name.
- Enter a Message of the Day (MOTD). This is the description players see in the multiplayer list.
- Click Create.
Choose the edition based on the version your group actually owns. A Java server does not accept Bedrock players automatically. If you want both editions on one Java server, configure Geyser later in this guide.
3. Choose server software and version
On the server page, open the software or version selector and choose a Minecraft version compatible with your players.
For a plain server, Vanilla is the simplest choice. For Java plugins, use PaperMC, Purpur, or Spigot; Aternos recommends PaperMC for plugin-based servers. If you see a red warning icon beside a software version, that version is deprecated. It may remain available to an existing server, but it cannot be installed on new servers and may eventually be removed.
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If you want Aternos to handle supported server-software updates, find Automatic updates in the server page’s Version section. The available choices are:
| Setting | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Ask | The default; Aternos asks before applying an update. |
| Always | Applies compatible server-software updates automatically. |
| Never | Leaves the server on its current version until you change it. |
Automatic updates cover server software such as Vanilla, Bedrock, PaperMC, Spigot, Purpur, and PocketMine. They do not update plugins. After a Minecraft update, check every plugin separately before allowing players to connect.
4. Start the server and accept the EULA
- Open the server’s main page.
- Click Start.
- Read and accept the Minecraft EULA when Aternos displays it.
- Wait for the status to change to online.
The first start may take longer than later starts. When Aternos is busy, your server enters a queue rather than starting immediately. The panel displays your queue position and an estimated wait time.
How the Aternos queue works
- Clicking the red Stop button leaves the queue, but you lose your current position.
- When you reach the front, Aternos displays a confirmation screen.
- Click the green confirmation button. If you do not confirm, the server is removed from the queue and you must start the process again.
If the server status says Pending, the host machine is temporarily unreachable. Waiting is the recommended action. A Cancel button may appear after 10 minutes, but Aternos warns that using it can cause irreversible data loss, so it is not a normal restart method.
5. Find the address and join the server
- With the server selected, locate the server address shown on the Aternos page.
- Open Minecraft.
- Open Multiplayer in Java Edition, or the server list in Bedrock Edition.
- Choose Add Server or the equivalent option.
- Enter the Aternos server address.
- Save it and select Join.
Start the server before players try to connect. If it has already stopped because everyone left, return to Aternos and click Start again.
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6. Configure the main server options
Open the server’s Options page. Changes made there require a server restart before they take effect. Plugins can also override some option behavior.
| Option | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Slots | Maximum simultaneous players. It does not improve or reduce server performance. |
| Gamemode | Default mode for players who have never joined. Use /gamemode for a temporary or individual change. |
| Difficulty | Peaceful, Easy, Normal, or Hard difficulty. |
| Whitelist | Restricts access to players you add to the list. |
| Cracked | Allows non-premium accounts to connect, but introduces serious identity and player-data risks. |
| PVP | Controls player-versus-player damage. |
| Achievements | Controls achievement availability where supported. |
| Command blocks | Enables command blocks. |
| Fly | Controls whether flying is allowed. |
| Animals / Monsters / NPCs | Controls categories of entities. |
| Nether | Enables or disables Nether access. |
| Force Gamemode | Forces every joining player into the configured gamemode, including returning players. |
| Spawn Protection | Protects the area around the world spawn from ordinary player edits. |
| Timezone | Sets the server’s timezone for scheduled or displayed times. |
| Resource Pack URL | Provides a resource-pack download address to players. |
7. Add yourself as an operator
Operator status gives a player access to administrative commands. Only grant it to people you trust.
Using the Aternos interface
- Open Players.
- Click Ops.
- Enter the player’s Minecraft username.
- Add the name to the operator list.
Using the console
- Start the server.
- Open Console.
- Enter the command below, replacing
examplewith the exact username:
/op exampleIf Cracked is enabled, console-based /op may not work correctly. Use Players → Ops instead.
For a Bedrock player joining a Java server through Geyser, add a period before the Bedrock name:
.exampleOn Bedrock servers, the default operator permission level is 1. Some commands, including /reload, require a higher OP permission level in the server.properties file. Enabling Bedrock cheats disables achievements on that server.
8. Protect the server with a whitelist or allowlist
- Open Options.
- Enable Whitelist.
- Open Players.
- Enter a player’s name and click the add button.
Players not on the list are disconnected. In newer Bedrock versions, the feature may be labeled allowlist. Bedrock players can be added only while the server is running, and they must join once before the server is stopped.
For a Bedrock player using Geyser, add the name with a leading period:
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Be particularly careful with cracked mode. Because usernames are not verified in the same way, another person may impersonate an approved username and bypass the whitelist. A login plugin such as OpeNLogin can add password-based authentication, but a premium-only server is safer.
9. Understand the risks of Cracked mode
Enabling Cracked allows non-premium accounts, including launchers such as TLauncher, to join. However, changing this setting is not a harmless compatibility switch. Aternos warns that it can cause:
- Broken or unusable OP entries
- Broken whitelist entries
- Loss of player inventory
- Changed or lost player positions
- Loss of achievements
If you change the setting, remove all OP and whitelist entries and add them again afterward. Back up the server first, because player data may not transfer cleanly between authentication modes.
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Java and Bedrock players cannot join the same Java server automatically. Install Geyser to translate Bedrock connections for the Java server.
- Change the server software to PaperMC if you want a plugin-based setup.
- Open the Aternos Software or Addons section.
- Install the Geyser plugin.
- Use the Geyser mod instead if the server uses Fabric and server-side mods.
- Restart the server.
Aternos recommends Paper for the best Geyser experience. The Fabric version supports server-side mods, not client-side mods. Aternos automatically installs Floodgate with Geyser.
Bedrock players use the same server address as Java players, but they must also enter the port shown after clicking Connect on the Aternos server page. You can share a Bedrock connection link in this format:
https://add.aternos.org/example.aternos.meThe .aternos.me portion can be omitted for a shorter link when applicable.
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If the Java version is not supported by the current Geyser release, install the latest Geyser together with ViaVersion. Some version combinations also require ViaBackwards. Geyser does not automatically update when a new Bedrock version is released; reinstall Geyser manually from Aternos.
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Aternos provides one UDP port per server. Geyser and a voice-chat mod cannot be used together there because both need a UDP port.
11. Install Java plugins
Plugins require Java server software. Use PaperMC, Purpur, or Spigot; PaperMC is the recommended choice.
- Open the server’s Addons or plugin section.
- Select Plugins.
- Find the plugin you want.
- Choose a version compatible with your Minecraft version.
- Click the download button beside the plugin.
- Restart the server.
Most plugin configuration changes also require a restart. Install plugins one at a time where possible, so a startup error is easier to identify. If the server stops starting after an installation, check the console for a version conflict or a missing dependency and remove or replace the affected plugin.
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12. Create backups before major changes
Aternos backups can include the world, player data, settings, plugins, mods, add-ons, and datapacks. Set them up before changing software, enabling Cracked mode, installing several plugins, or experimenting with world settings.
- Open Account settings or the server’s Backups page.
- Click Google Drive.
- Grant the requested Google Drive permission.
- Return to the server’s Backups page.
- Click the + button to add the connected Google Drive service.
- Click Create Backup for a manual backup.
You can configure automatic backups to run when the server stops and choose how many to retain. Once the limit is reached, Aternos deletes the oldest automatic backup.
To restore one, open Backups, select the backup, and click Restore. Restoration completely replaces the current server files, including the world. Create a fresh backup before restoring if you might need to undo the decision.
Aternos also states that unused servers can eventually be deleted from an account. Keeping backups in Google Drive gives you a way to restore the server later.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Server remains in a queue | Wait for the displayed position. Do not click Stop unless you are willing to lose your place. |
| Server starts, then stops | Make sure at least one active player is online. Empty servers are stopped automatically. |
| Players cannot connect | Confirm the server is online, the Minecraft version matches, and players are using the correct address. |
| Changes do not appear | Restart the server after changing Options or plugin configuration. |
| Bedrock player cannot join | Check that Geyser is installed and running, and enter the port shown under Connect. |
| Bedrock player is not recognized in the whitelist or OP list | For Geyser players, add the name with a leading period, such as .PlayerName. |
| OP or inventory disappeared after changing Cracked | Restore a backup if available. Re-add OP and whitelist entries after changing the setting. |
| Plugin fails after a Minecraft update | Update the plugin manually; Aternos updates server software, not plugins. |
| Server shows Pending | Wait. Avoid clicking Cancel, because it can cause irreversible data loss. |
Recommended setup for a small friends’ server
For a typical Java survival server, use PaperMC, select the Minecraft version everyone has installed, enable a whitelist, add only your friends, and create a Google Drive backup before installing plugins. Grant OP to one or two trusted administrators rather than everyone. If Bedrock users need access, install Geyser before distributing the address and test both the address and port with one Bedrock player.
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When the group finishes playing, let Aternos stop the empty server normally. The next session may involve a queue, so start it a few minutes before everyone is ready.
FAQ
Is an Aternos Minecraft server really free?
Yes. You can create and run a Minecraft server without paying for hosting. The trade-off is that Aternos is not 24/7 hosting: an empty server stops automatically, and busy periods can place startup requests in a queue.
How long can an Aternos server stay online?
Aternos does not document a fixed playtime limit while at least one player remains online and active. When the last player leaves, the server begins its stop process.
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Yes, but Bedrock-to-Java access requires Geyser. Install the Geyser plugin on PaperMC, Purpur, or Spigot, or use the Geyser mod for a compatible Fabric server. Bedrock players also need the port shown by Aternos after clicking Connect.
Does Aternos update plugins automatically?
No. Aternos can automatically update supported server software, but plugins must be updated separately. A Minecraft version update can therefore make an older plugin incompatible.
What happens when I enable Cracked mode?
Non-premium accounts can join, but OP and whitelist data may stop working, and player inventories, positions, or achievements may be lost. Back up first and re-add OP and whitelist entries afterward.
How do I make my Aternos server private?
Enable Whitelist on the server’s Options page, then add approved players under Players. On newer Bedrock versions, the feature may be called allowlist.
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To make a free Aternos server, create an account at Aternos.org, select Create a server, choose Java or Bedrock, start the server, accept the EULA, and share the displayed address. Configure the whitelist and operator list before inviting people, back up the world before major changes, and remember that the server stops when the last player leaves. For mixed Java–Bedrock play, install Geyser and provide Bedrock players with both the server address and port.
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