How do you add and manage friends in Minecraft?

Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to connect and play with friends across different platforms and game versions.


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Adding Friends on Different Minecraft Platforms

The process of adding friends varies depending on which version of Minecraft you’re playing. Here’s how to connect with friends across different platforms:

Minecraft Java Edition (PC)

Java Edition doesn’t have a built-in friends system, but you can connect with friends through:

  • Direct IP connection: Share your server’s IP address with friends so they can join directly
  • Minecraft Realms: Subscribe to Realms and invite friends by their usernames
  • Third-party servers: Join public servers where you can meet and play with others

Minecraft Bedrock Edition (Mobile, Console, Windows 10)

Bedrock Edition offers more robust friend management through Xbox Live integration:

  1. Open Minecraft and navigate to the “Play” menu
  2. Select “Friends” tab at the top
  3. Click “Add Friend” and enter their Xbox Gamertag or Microsoft account email
  4. Send the friend request and wait for acceptance

Managing Your Minecraft Friends List

Once you’ve added friends, managing them is straightforward. In Bedrock Edition, you can view online friends directly from the Friends tab. Green indicators show who’s currently playing Minecraft, making it easy to join their worlds if they’re accepting visitors.

Joining Friends’ Worlds

When friends are online and their world is joinable, you’ll see their game listed in the Friends tab. Simply click “Join” to enter their world. Keep in mind that the world owner controls who can join and what permissions players have.

Privacy and Safety Settings

Minecraft includes several safety features for managing friend interactions:

  • Invite-only worlds: Set your world to only allow invited players
  • Block and report: Remove problematic players and report inappropriate behavior
  • Communication settings: Control who can send you messages and invites

Cross-Platform Friend Connections

One of Minecraft’s strengths is cross-platform play. Friends using different devices can still play together as long as they’re both on Bedrock Edition. This means someone on mobile can join a friend playing on Xbox or PlayStation.

However, Java Edition players can only connect with other Java Edition users, as it operates on a separate network from Bedrock Edition.

Troubleshooting Friend Connection Issues

If you’re having trouble connecting with friends, try these solutions:

  • Ensure both players have updated to the latest Minecraft version
  • Check that Xbox Live services are working properly
  • Verify that both accounts have appropriate privacy settings enabled
  • Restart the game and try reconnecting

Building and maintaining friendships in Minecraft becomes much easier once you understand these connection methods, and exploring creative building projects together can lead to countless hours of collaborative fun.

TL;DR

Add friends in Minecraft Bedrock through Xbox Live integration, or connect directly via IP in Java Edition. Manage friends through the Friends tab to join worlds and control privacy settings.

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Joyst1ck

Gaming Writer & HTML5 Developer

Answering gaming questions—from Roblox and Minecraft to the latest indie hits. I write developer‑focused HTML5 articles and share practical tips on game design, monetisation, and scripting.

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