CraftRank

How to join a Minecraft server

Step by step: how to join a Minecraft server on Java Edition, Bedrock on phone and Windows, and what to do on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch.

5 min read · Updated October 13, 2026

Joining a server takes less than a minute once you know where to click. You need two things: the server's address (also called IP, for example play.example.net) and the edition of Minecraft you play, Java or Bedrock. Every server on our list shows its address with a “Copy IP” button.

Java Edition (PC, Mac, Linux)

  1. Copy the server address.
  2. Start Minecraft and click Multiplayer. The first time, the game shows a warning about third-party servers; press Proceed.
  3. Click Add Server. Type any name you like, paste the address into Server Address and click Done.
  4. The server appears in your list with its message of the day and the number of players. Double-click it, or select it and press Join Server.

Only want to try a server once? Use Direct Connection instead of Add Server; it doesn't save it to your list.

Tip: if the address has a number after a colon, like play.example.net:25570, paste it exactly like that. The number is the port. Without one, Java uses 25565.

Bedrock Edition (Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad)

  1. Start Minecraft and press Play, then open the Servers tab.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and press Add Server.
  3. Enter a name, the Server Address and the Port. Bedrock's default port is 19132; our server pages show the exact port to use.
  4. Press Save, then pick the server from the list to join.

Many Java servers also let Bedrock players in. They are marked “Java + Bedrock” on CraftRank, and you can find all of them on the Bedrock servers list.

Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch

On consoles, Minecraft only shows a fixed list of featured servers and has no Add Server button. Players often use third-party workarounds such as BedrockConnect, which you set up by changing the DNS server in your console's network settings. These tools are not made by Mojang or by us, so use them at your own risk. The simplest legal way is to join a friend's world on a phone or PC who is connected to the server, or to play on a featured server.

The server doesn't work?

  • “Outdated client” or “Outdated server”: your game version is different from the server's. Server pages on CraftRank show which versions we were able to join with; pick that version in the launcher.
  • “Can't connect to server” or a red cross: check the server is online with our server status checker. If it is online for us but not for you, read how to fix “Can't connect to server”.
  • You need to log in on the server: many servers, especially non-premium ones, ask you to type /register password password the first time and /login password after that. Use a password you don't use anywhere else.