How do you play local multiplayer on Minecraft?

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Written By Jonny

Minecraft is well-suited for solo play, but having a few friends join in on the action makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Setting up a multiplayer game in Minecraft is a simple process, but it varies slightly based on which platform you’re using and whether your friends are nearby or half a world away. Here are all the ways to play Minecraft multiplayer. Contents

When playing Minecraft, you can play a single-player or multiplayer game. If you’d like to play with other people.

Start a LAN game:
  1. Click.
  2. Click the pen icon to create a new world or edit a current world.
  3. Go to Multiplayer and make sure that Visible to LAN Players is enabled.
  4. Choose Create or Play to start the world.

How to play Local Multiplayer on Minecraft Java

How to Split-Screen Minecraft Locally

Local split-screen refers to playing on a single console, not being mistaken with LAN (local area network) play, where several devices get used. Up to four players can join on any given device. The instructions to play Minecraft in split-screen mode vary slightly for each game console, but the instructions below will cover them all.

Here’s how to set up a ‘local’ split-screen in Minecraft:

  • Connect the console to the TV with an HDMI or component cable, then launch Minecraft.
  • Select Create New if you want to start fresh, or load a previous world from the game list.
  • In the Multiplayer settings, slide Multiplayer Game to the off position.
  • Set the difficulty and other game options to your liking.
  • Choose Create or Play to launch the game.
  • Use a different controller to activate the second player on the console, then select the correct button(s) to add them to Minecraft. For example, the PS4 uses the PS button to activate a user and the Options button (pressed twice) to add the second player to Minecraft.
  • Select the account for the other player (if not done already). XBOX 360 and PS3 use the Minecraft Legacy Console Edition, so you first press Start on the second controller to get in the game, then it will prompt the user to log into the console.
  • How to Play Split-Screen in Minecraft?

    You will need to play the game on the console, as mentioned earlier. But before you can play local multiplayer, make sure you fulfill the criteria below.

  • Make sure you have at least 720p resolution on the console and TV you plug it in. For example, PSVita does not support split-screen as it is only qHD (a quarter resolution of HD). And the WiiU is only 480p; hence you cannot play the game in the desired setting.
  • You will also need to connect to the TV using an HDMI cable or similar since you will need the complete resolution supported by the console.
  • You should not play in the Beta version of Minecraft as well. If you are in Beta mode, disable it in-game and restart it.
  • You will also need an active subscription to the console’s service such as PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold, or Nintendo Switch Online.
  • Once you have fulfilled the above requirements, follow the steps below to activate the split-screen in Minecraft.

  • Launch the game and select either create a new world or load your saved world.
  • Go to Multiplayer settings and turn it off.
  • Once you have the desired settings for the game, such as its difficulty and the preferences, start the world.
  • Once the game begins, turn on the controller for player two and press Start. You will need to press Start again for the second player to join.
  • If you have an account for them, select it. If not, your friend can play as a guest. For instance, on PS3, if you hit cancel when the game prompts you to select the user, it will log the other player in as a guest.
  • Using these steps, you can have up to four players in total while playing in split-screen mode.
  • To change the split-screen mode to vertical or horizontal, you can scroll to video settings until you find the Split screen option. You can then select either vertical or horizontal display for the game.

    Minecraft: Java Edition LAN setup

    If you’re looking to quickly set up a world for friends who are in the same room as you, look no further than setting up a LAN game. As long as all players are connected to the same network, they’ll be able to see and join your server.

    Here’s how to start a LAN game for those of you running the Java Edition:

    Step 1: Start up Minecraft and select Single Player.

    Step 2: After the world has finished loading, pull up the Menu screen by pressing the Esc key.

    Step 3: Select the Open to LAN option.

    Step 4: Choose the game mode you wish to host.

    Step 5: Select Start LAN World.

    Step 6: Players who want to join the game should select Multiplayer from the main menu.

    Step 7: If they are connected to the same network, your LAN game should be detected.

    FAQ

    How do you play Minecraft with 2 players local?

    Launch Minecraft and click on Multiplayer. Minecraft will automatically scan for games on your local network. If another player has a LAN world available to join, it’ll show up in your list of servers. You can either double-tap the server or highlight it and click Join Server.

    How do you join a local person in Minecraft?

    How Do I Play on a Minecraft Server?
    1. Open Minecraft.
    2. Select “Multiplayer”. …
    3. Click on “Add Server” at the bottom.
    4. Enter a name you’ll recognize, then type in or paste the IP address in the “Server Address” field. …
    5. For Bedrock Edition: select “Save”, then press “Join” near the bottom to start playing on the server.

    How do you multiplayer on Minecraft?

    How Do I Play on a Minecraft Server?
    1. Open Minecraft.
    2. Select “Multiplayer”. …
    3. Click on “Add Server” at the bottom.
    4. Enter a name you’ll recognize, then type in or paste the IP address in the “Server Address” field. …
    5. For Bedrock Edition: select “Save”, then press “Join” near the bottom to start playing on the server.

     

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