Play with friends using a server in Minecraft's Java Edition (Image via Mojang) However, to play multiplayer without a Realm subscription, you need to join a public server in the game.

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers. How do you play with your friends in Minecraft? It all depends which version of the game you're playing, as it's one of the many Java vs. Bedrock ...

In Minecraft Java Edition, players can either jump into a world on their own and explore it, or they can join their friends in a multiplayer world and play together.

You can add friends in "Minecraft" through their Microsoft account's gamertag, regardless of which platform they use to play the game.