What Minecraft LAN play is and which editions support it

Minecraft LAN play lets people on the same local network join a world that one player hosts, without an online server. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition both support it, and Mojang documents each in its own help article. Everyone needs the most recent Minecraft and the same network.

This page reads Mojang's help articles (Java edited 11 March 2026, Bedrock edited 3 August 2026) and the Minecraft Wiki, all read on 24 October 2026. We did not host or join a LAN game, so nothing here is a test result.

What Minecraft LAN play is

The Minecraft Wiki defines a LAN game as one that lets people in your local network join a world. That means players connected to the same router, switch or mobile hotspot. Players over the internet cannot connect unless extra workarounds such as port forwarding or a VPN are set up.

It differs from a dedicated or hosted online server, which anyone can reach by address. Our explainer on what a Minecraft server is covers those kinds, and how to play Minecraft with friends compares the routes.

Which editions support LAN play

Java Edition LAN games

Mojang says Java LAN games show on the Multiplayer screen for guests even when the network reaches the internet. After the host opens the world, a message reports the port, for example "Local game hosted on port 2121" in the Wiki's example. The Wiki adds that the port is random but has been editable since snapshot 22w45a (1.19.3).

The host can also start a LAN world with the `/publish` command, per the Wiki. If a guest cannot see the game, the Wiki says to check that the host's firewall allows that port, then enter the host's local IP address and port in the Multiplayer menu. For port basics, see Minecraft server port defaults.

Bedrock Edition LAN games

Mojang's Bedrock article carries a catch. If both players are Minecraft friends and online, Bedrock defaults to online play and offers a direct join to the friend's world instead of the LAN world. You can still play together, but over the internet and not your LAN.

On consoles, Mojang notes you may also need a subscription such as Xbox Game Pass Core or PlayStation Plus. Our page on which consoles need a subscription has the detail. The Wiki says the host can raise player slots with `/setmaxplayers` up to 30.

What your network must allow

• Everyone on the same local network. Mojang names this for both editions, and it is the whole point of LAN play.
• Local traffic between devices. Mojang's articles name the same local network as the requirement and do not describe router settings beyond that.
• On Windows, a Private network profile. Mojang's troubleshooting page says a Timeout error can follow from a Public profile, and that Public is meant for networks you cannot trust, so it advises against changing it on one.
• An open port on the host's firewall for Java direct joins, per the Wiki.

When joining still fails, fix Minecraft can't connect to server covers the usual causes.

How Java and Bedrock LAN play are documented separately

Java and Bedrock are separate games, and Mojang documents LAN play in a separate article for each, with different menus and steps. Neither article describes joining a LAN game across editions, so this page makes no claim either way about a Java host showing up for Bedrock players or the reverse.

For mixed groups, see what Geyser is and how Bedrock players join Java servers and Minecraft Java vs Bedrock Edition.

What this means if you use mods

The sources say nothing about mods in LAN games, so we make no claim about them. Mojang does say a Java player's version must match the one a server runs, and that snapshot or preview players usually must switch back to the latest release to join. Our catalogue lists a mod named LAN World Plug-n-Play, and its page says what it adds.