There are three ways to play multiplayer in "Minecraft: Java Edition:" through an online server, a LAN server, or a "Minecraft Realms" server.

You can play Minecraft solo, but it's much more fun with friends. Here's how to play multiplayer in Minecraft: Java Edition.

Use the in-game settings to add friends in Minecraft Java (Image via Mojang Studios) The second and free method to play Minecraft with a friend involves hosting your own LAN server.

Ways to join another player’s Minecraft world You can join a local game using the LAN connection method. The host must be on the same network (Image via Mojang Studios) ...

Hi, my kids and I have played minecraft in each other's worlds for a few years, recently we suddenly stopped being able to connect to each other's worlds on the LAN... but we can still connect to ...

A recent snapshot build release for Minecraft includes support for LAN multiplayer, rather than needing to set up or join a multiplayer server. As Mojang notes, the feature is a work in progress ...