Share Minecraft Server IP With Friends: The Right Way

To share Minecraft server IP details, copy the address and port shown in your server panel and send it as one line, like 203.0.113.10:25565, for Java players. Bedrock players type the same address and the port in two separate boxes. Before you post it anywhere, turn on the whitelist so only the friends you invited can join.

Most “I can't connect” messages come from a missing port, an extra space or a friend on the other edition. This guide covers where to find the address, the exact format for each edition, a ready-to-send message and how to keep the server safe once the address is out.

Find the address to share

The address has two parts: the IP (or a hostname) and the port. If you host at home, the IP your friends need is your public one, not the 192.168.x.x address of your PC, and the port has to be forwarded on your router (see how to port forward a Minecraft server). On a hosted server you skip all of that:

Open your server in the panel. On TheGameHosting the panel shows the address on your server page as IP:port.
Copy it exactly, including the colon and the port number.
Optional: give it a friendlier name in the Subdomain tab, so friends type a name instead of numbers.
Turn on the whitelist from the Console with whitelist on and add each friend with whitelist add Name.
Send the address to your friends using the format for their edition, shown below.
Ask the first friend to join and confirm it works before you share it with the whole group.

Share Minecraft server IP details: Java vs Bedrock format

The format depends on which edition your friend plays. The Minecraft Wiki lists 25565 as the default Java port and 19132 as the default Bedrock port.

Edition	Where to type it	What to send
Java (PC)	Multiplayer → Add Server → Server Address	One line: `IP:port`. If the port is 25565 the port can be left out.
Bedrock (Windows, phone, tablet)	Play → Servers → Add Server	Two fields: the address in Server Address and the number in Port
Bedrock on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch	Not directly; consoles need a workaround	Same address and port, plus our console guide

Hosted servers often run on a port other than 25565, because many servers share the same IP. In that case the port is required: 203.0.113.10 alone will fail, while 203.0.113.10:25600 works. On Bedrock, never put the colon and port inside the address box; the port goes in its own field.

Friends on consoles have extra steps, covered in how to join a Bedrock server on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch. If your server is Java and some friends play Bedrock, they need Geyser and they connect to the Bedrock port that Geyser listens on, not the Java one; see how to set up Geyser and Floodgate.

A message you can copy and send

Sending the edition, version and both formats in one message saves a round of questions in your group chat:

Message for your friends

Our Minecraft server is up!
Java (version 1.21.x): play.example.com:25600
Bedrock: address play.example.com, port 19132
Tell me your username so I can add you to the whitelist.

Replace the example address and ports with yours. Mention the game version too: a Java client on a different version than the server gets an “Outdated client” or “Outdated server” message instead of joining.

What to share and what never to share

Share: the server address and port, the game version, and the rules.
Never share: your panel login, your SFTP password or your account password. If a friend helps you run the server, give them their own panel access with only the permissions they need.
Whitelist first. An address posted in a public Discord or video comments can reach strangers fast. With the whitelist on, the address alone is not enough to get in. See how to make a whitelist.
Keep online mode on. With online-mode=true nobody can join pretending to be you.

If your friends still can't connect

“Can't resolve hostname”: a typo in the address or a space at the end. Copy and paste instead of typing.
“Connection timed out”: the server is off, the port is wrong, or the friend is using the Java port on Bedrock. Our connection timed out guide walks through it.
“You are not white-listed”: the whitelist is working; add their exact username.
Bedrock server not in the list: check the address and port fields separately.

An address ready to share in about a minute

On TheGameHosting your Minecraft server is ready about 60 seconds after payment, and the panel shows the address to send your friends right away, with no ports to open on your router. The Subdomain tab gives you an easy name to share, Users lets a friend help manage the server with their own login, and the server stays online 24/7 without your PC, so friends can join even when you are not playing.

Servers run on AMD Ryzen 9950X and 7950X3D processors with DDR5 memory and NVMe storage, with DDoS protection included and locations in Dallas and Amsterdam. Plans start at $1.90 a month for 2 GB, with unlimited slots and no setup fee, and support answers 24/7 by chat and tickets. Have a look at our Minecraft server hosting or go straight to plans and pricing, and use the code FULL2026 for 15% off for life.

FAQ

Do my friends need the port to join my Minecraft server?

On Java, only if the port is not 25565. Hosted servers often use another port, so send the full IP:port. On Bedrock the port always goes in its own field.

Is it safe to share my Minecraft server IP?

Sharing the server address with friends is normal. Turn on the whitelist so only people you add can join, keep online-mode=true, and never share your panel or account passwords.

Can I give my server a name instead of numbers?

Yes. Use a subdomain from your panel or point your own domain at the server; see how to add a custom domain.

Why can my Bedrock friends not join with the Java address?

Bedrock uses a different protocol and port. They need a Bedrock server, or Geyser on your Java server, and they connect to the Bedrock port.

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Written by TheGameHosting Team, the people who run our servers in Dallas and Amsterdam and answer your tickets.

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