What to choose: one network or different cities
First, write down the edition and exact version for each participant. For Java and Bedrock, do not use the same instruction. If everyone is connected to the same home network, you can start with the LAN. If your friends are on different networks, select Realm or a suitable online server. Opening a world on a LAN does not in itself make it accessible over the Internet. To play together, you must be signed in to a Microsoft Account and have the appropriate permissions. On consoles, check your platform's online subscription requirements separately. Before moving a large structure, try a small test world.
Java: open the world on LAN
The host loads the world, opens the menu and selects Open to LAN. Then he sets the game mode for guests and access to commands, after which he clicks Start LAN World. Other members of this network open Multiplayer: the local world should appear when searching for LAN games. Check the version of the client and host. The owner must keep the gaming session open. If the world does not appear, do not start by changing the router settings: first check whether the devices are actually on the same network and whether the desired world is open.
Bedrock: find a friend and his world
The official Bedrock instructions use Play, then Friends. You can add a person through Add Friend using their gamertag. Make sure you find the account you're looking for, not just a similar display name. This section displays your currently playing friends and the Realms you are a member of. The presence of a person on the list does not prove access to any of his worlds: check which world is open and how he invites guests. The menu may vary between devices and updates, so rely on the installed edition and its current help.
When Realms is useful
A Realm is a private, invitation-only cloud server that remains available while its owner is offline. The owner subscribes; invited members do not need their own Realms subscription. They still need the game and the necessary account permissions. Choose the service for your edition: Java Realms accepts Java players, and Bedrock Realms accepts Bedrock players. Test your friend’s invitation and access before moving your main world. Check current pricing, trial eligibility and renewal terms before subscribing. Console online subscriptions are a separate requirement.
Java 26.2: Why Friends is not replacing the server
The Java 26.2 release introduced Friends List: the Friends button is available on the main screen and in the pause menu, the default key is O. The request is sent by Profile Name, incoming requests are in Pending. But the peer-to-peer connection from the test Snapshot 7 was removed in 26.2 Pre-release 1 as not ready for release. The friends list in 26.2 is not evidence of the ability to invite a player on another network to a single-player world. Do not port the May snapshot instructions to stable 26.2; for another version, check its own release notes.
If the connection fails
Write down the error message and stage: the world is not displayed, the connection is not established, or access is denied. First, check the edition, version, access method and host’s session. For the server, ask for the exact address, port if necessary, and login rules; for Realm - an invitation. Successful login of another participant helps compare conditions, but does not prove that your account permissions are correct. Change one condition per attempt and save the result. If the owner closes the normal world, don't expect to continue in it without a separate, always-on solution.
Sources and checks
Guides are automatically translated from Russian; interface labels may differ. The Russian edition is the original.