To let friends explore your Minecraft world, either host an online game and have them join while you are playing, or invite them to a Realm so it remains available when you are offline. The steps depend on whether you play Bedrock or Java: standard multiplayer and Realms are edition-specific, so players need the matching edition.
Choose how friends will access the world
| Option | Must the host be online? | How friends join | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Join the host’s Bedrock game | Yes. The host and joining friend must be online at the same time. | They must be Minecraft friends; the friend joins from Play > Friends. | A group that plays together at the same time and wants to use the host’s existing world. |
| Realm | No. The world stays available to invited members while the owner is offline. | Invite members or share a Realm link, using the Realm for the matching edition. | A group that wants to visit the same world at different times. |
| Multiplayer server | No host-specific requirement; availability depends on the server operator. | Join a featured or other server. | Players looking for a shared multiplayer destination, not necessarily the host’s existing save. |
For a direct join, Minecraft’s instructions cover Bedrock. If you use Java, use Java multiplayer with other Java players; Java and Bedrock do not join each other’s standard edition-specific games. Minecraft’s Bedrock joining instructions explain the Friends-tab route.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft: Switch Edition | $32.65 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Minecraft Legends Deluxe Edition | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Let a friend join your Bedrock world while you play
This option makes your current world joinable during an online session. You need to be online while your friend plays in it, and both players must be friends in Minecraft.
- Check compatibility: Make sure you and your friend are using Bedrock, have current game versions, are signed in, and have multiplayer access enabled.
- Start the world as an online game: Open the world and start playing with multiplayer enabled.
- Have your friend join: In Minecraft, they select Play, open the Friends tab, and select your name under Joinable Friends.
If the world does not appear, check that both accounts are online and friends in Minecraft, that you started an online session, and that account permissions allow multiplayer. On consoles, the player may also need the applicable platform online subscription.
#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Keep the world available with a Realm
A Realm is the hosted option when friends should be able to play even when you are away. Choose the service that matches your edition: Bedrock players need a Bedrock Realm, and Java players need a Java Realm. Invited members do not need to buy a separate Realm subscription to join. Plan prices and player limits can change and may vary by region; the figures below are the US monthly prices and simultaneous-player limits shown on Minecraft’s product page on October 3, 2026.
| Plan | US monthly price listed | Simultaneous players listed |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Realms | $3.99 USD/month | Host plus 2 players |
| Bedrock Realms Plus | $7.99 USD/month | Host plus 10 players |
| Java Realms | $7.99 USD/month | Host plus 10 players |
These are plan limits, not a guarantee that every world or connection will perform the same way. Confirm the current price and terms for your region on the Minecraft Realms page.
Rank #2
- Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
Invite friends directly or use a share link
For a Bedrock Realm, open Play, select the Realm’s edit or member controls, then use the invitation options. Minecraft’s support instructions also describe creating a share link in the Realm controls. A link is convenient, but it grants access to whoever has it: Minecraft warns, “Anyone who has this Share Link will be able to join your realm.” Send it privately rather than posting it publicly. You can disable or remove a link in Realm settings and set an expiration date. See Minecraft’s Realm invitation and share-link guidance.
Use a server for a different shared world
If your group wants to play together but does not need your personal save, a multiplayer server may be a better fit. Bedrock players can browse the Servers tab for featured servers or add a server to join. Server rules, moderation, availability, and control of the world depend on its operator; a server is not automatically a way to share your existing save. Minecraft explains server discovery in its server instructions.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
Fix common connection problems
- Your Bedrock world is missing from Joinable Friends: Start an online session, confirm both players are online and Minecraft friends, and check that multiplayer is allowed on both accounts.
- You and your friend cannot see each other: Confirm you launched the same edition and current game versions. Standard Java and Bedrock multiplayer are separate.
- A console player cannot connect: Check whether that platform requires an online subscription for multiplayer. Also review account and parental-control permissions; a child account may have multiplayer disabled.
- A Realm link does not work: Check that it has not expired or been disabled and that the friend is using the matching edition.
- Friends need access while you are away: A direct Bedrock session requires the host to be online. Use a Realm for persistent access.
Minecraft’s Bedrock multiplayer guidance covers multiplayer options and prerequisites; online subscription requirements depend on the console platform.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes the base game, three add-ons (Celebration Food, Rescue Dogs, and Plenty O’ Blocks), three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE — Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, and craft your way through a world filled with surprises in the ultimate sandbox game.
- SURVIVE — Experience unforgettable adventures as you face mysterious foes, traverse exciting landscapes, and travel to perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Have a blast with friends, whether you’re sitting on the same couch in split screen or miles apart in cross-platform play for console, mobile, and PC.
Rank #4
- Create and shape an infinite world, explore varied biomes filled with creatures and surprises, and go on thrilling adventures to perilous places and face mysterious foes.
- Play with friends across devices or in local multiplayer.
- Connect with millions of players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus to play with up to 10 friends on your own private server.
- Get creator-made add-ons, thrilling worlds, and stylish cosmetics on Minecraft Marketplace; subscribe to Marketplace Pass (or Realms Plus) to access 150+ worlds, skin & textures packs, and more—refreshed monthly.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
