2) Creating a Minecraft Java Edition server manually Download page for the .jar server file (Image via Sportskeeda) This is one of the most difficult ways to play with friends in the game.

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.

We'll cover the prerequisites for joining friends in Minecraft, no matter which version you're playing, as well as troubleshoot some common issues found when trying to play Minecraft multiplayer.