Hosting Your Minecraft Server with Playit.gg: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to dive into a Minecraft adventure with your friends but find the thought of port forwarding confusing or too technical? Good news! Playit.gg is a fantastic service that makes hosting your own Minecraft Server with Playit.gg incredibly simple by creating a secure tunnel from your computer to the internet, no router fiddling required.

This guide will walk you through setting up a Minecraft Java Edition server. The process for Bedrock Edition is similar, mainly differing in the server software and default port.

Prerequisites: For Hosting a Minecraft Server with Playit.gg:

Before we start, gather these essentials:

1. A Host Computer: Any reasonably modern PC or laptop can host a small server. For more players or mods, better specs (CPU, RAM) are beneficial.
2. Stable Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection with decent upload speed is crucial for a smooth experience for your players.
3. Minecraft Java Edition: You and your players will need legitimate copies of Minecraft Java Edition.
4. Minecraft Server Software:
   • Vanilla (Official): Download the latest server .jar file directly from Minecraft.net.
   • Custom Servers (Optional but Recommended for Performance/Plugins): Consider PaperMC or Spigot. They often provide better performance and plugin support. You’d download their specific .jar files from their official websites.
5. Java Installation: Ensure you have the latest version of Java installed on your host computer. You can get it from Oracle’s Java download page.
6. Playit.gg Client: Download this from the Playit.gg website.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Minecraft Server Software (Java Edition)

First, let’s get your local Minecraft server running.

Downloading and Preparing the Server File

1. Create a Server Folder: On your host computer, create a new folder where your server files will live (e.g., C:\MinecraftServer or ~/minecraft-server).
2. Download Server .jar:
   • For Vanilla: Go to the Minecraft Server Downloads page and download the server.jar file. Place it into your newly created server folder.
   • For PaperMC/Spigot: Download the appropriate .jar from their official sites and place it in your server folder.
3. Create a Startup Script (Recommended): This helps control how much RAM your server uses and makes starting it easier.
   • Windows: Inside your server folder, create a new text file and rename it start_server.bat. Edit it (right-click > Edit) and paste the following (adjust Xmx and Xms values for RAM, and minecraft_server.1.XX.X.jar to your actual server jar filename):
     Code snippet

     java -Xmx2G -Xms1G -jar minecraft_server.1.XX.X.jar nogui
     pause
     

     (e.g., -Xmx2G allocates a maximum of 2GB RAM, -Xms1G allocates a minimum of 1GB RAM).

   • macOS/Linux: Create a file named start_server.sh in your server folder. Edit it and paste (adjust RAM and .jar name):
     Bash

     #!/bin/bash
     java -Xmx2G -Xms1G -jar minecraft_server.1.XX.X.jar nogui
     

     Then, make it executable by opening a terminal in the folder and running chmod +x start_server.sh.

Initial Server Run and EULA Agreement

1. Run the Script:
   • Windows: Double-click start_server.bat.
   • macOS/Linux: Open a terminal in your server folder and run ./start_server.sh.
2. Generate Files: The server will start, attempt to load, and then stop, generating some initial files and folders (like logs, world, and eula.txt).
3. Accept EULA: Open the eula.txt file in a text editor. Change eula=false to eula=true. Save and close the file.
4. Configure server.properties (Optional but Recommended):
   • Open server.properties in a text editor.
   • You can change settings like motd (message of the day), gamemode, difficulty, etc.
   • Ensure server-port is set to 25565 (the default for Minecraft Java).
   • Ensure online-mode is true if you want only legitimate Minecraft accounts to join (recommended).
5. Run Again: Execute your startup script again. This time, the server should fully load and prepare a world.
6. Local Test (Optional): On the same computer, open Minecraft Java Edition, go to Multiplayer, click “Direct Connection,” and enter localhost or 127.0.0.1 as the server address. You should be able to join your server. Close the server console window or type stop and press Enter to shut it down for now.

Step 2: Installing and Setting Up Playit.gg

Now, let’s get Playit.gg ready.

Downloading and Installing the Playit.gg Client

1. Visit Playit.gg: Go to the official Playit.gg download page.
2. Download: Get the client appropriate for your host computer’s operating system (Windows, Linux, or macOS).
3. Install/Run:
   • Windows: Run the downloaded installer or .exe file.
   • Linux: Follow the instructions on their site (often involving apt for Debian/Ubuntu or downloading a binary).
   • macOS: Open the downloaded .dmg and follow instructions.

Creating a Playit.gg Account & Linking Your Client

1. Account: When you first run the Playit.gg client, or by visiting their website, you’ll be prompted to create an account or use a guest account. Creating an account is recommended for managing your tunnels.
2. Link Client (Agent): The Playit.gg program running on your computer (often called an “agent”) needs to be linked to your online account. It will usually provide a claim URL or code. Open this in your browser and follow the instructions to associate the agent with your Playit.gg account.

Step 3: Creating a Tunnel for Your Minecraft Server with Playit.gg

With your Minecraft server ready locally and Playit.gg installed, it’s time to create the tunnel.

Accessing Tunnel Creation

1. Log in to your account on the Playit.gg website.
2. Navigate to the “Tunnels” section or look for a “Create Tunnel” button. Ensure your Playit.gg agent shows as connected.

Configuring the Tunnel Settings

1. Tunnel Type: Playit.gg often has pre-configured options. Select “Minecraft Java Edition.”
   • If a preset isn’t available, you’d manually choose:
     • Protocol: TCP
     • Port: 25565 (or your custom server port if you changed it in server.properties)
2. Local Address: Set this to 127.0.0.1. This tells Playit.gg that the server it needs to connect to is running on the same machine as the Playit.gg agent.
3. Local Port: Enter the port your Minecraft server is listening on. For Java Edition, this is typically 25565. This must match the server-port in your server.properties file.
4. Region (Optional – Premium Feature):
   • Free Tier: Usually defaults to “Global Anycast,” which tries to route players optimally.
   • Premium Tier: You can select a specific geographic region (e.g., “US East,” “Europe West”) for your tunnel. Choosing a region close to you and most of your players can potentially reduce latency.
5. Create: Click the “Add Tunnel” or “Create Tunnel” button.

(For Minecraft Bedrock Edition: The process is similar, but you’d select/configure for UDP and the default Bedrock port, which is 19132.)

Step 4: Getting Your Public Server Address

1. Start Your Minecraft Server: Use your start_server.bat or start_server.sh script.
2. Ensure Playit.gg Agent is Running: The Playit.gg program must be running on your host computer.
3. Find Your Address: On your Playit.gg dashboard (website), with the tunnel active, you will see a public address assigned to your Minecraft tunnel. It will look something like your-assigned-name.at.ply.gg or some-numbers.ip.ply.gg:[port_number].
   • This is the address you give to your friends!

Step 5: Inviting Friends to Your Minecraft Server with Playit.gg

1. Share the Address: Copy the full public address (including the port number if it’s shown separately) from your Playit.gg tunnel details.
2. Friends Join: Your friends will launch Minecraft Java Edition, go to “Multiplayer,” click “Add Server” or “Direct Connection,” and paste the Playit.gg address you gave them into the “Server Address” field.
3. Both Programs Running: For your server to be accessible, both your Minecraft server software (e.g., server.jar via your script) AND the Playit.gg client program must be running continuously on your host computer.

Tips for a Smooth Minecraft Server with Playit.gg Experience

• Host PC Resources: Allocate enough RAM to your Minecraft server via the startup script. A faster CPU also helps, especially with more players or complex mods/plugins.
• Upload Speed Matters: Your internet’s upload speed directly impacts how many players can connect smoothly. Insufficient upload speed will cause lag.
• Wired Connection for Host: Strongly recommend using a wired Ethernet connection for the computer hosting the server. Wi-Fi can be less stable and add latency.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your Minecraft server files (if running Vanilla), Playit.gg client, and your Java installation for the latest features and security patches.
• Server Backups: Periodically create backups of your Minecraft world folder to prevent data loss.
• [Internal Link: Essential Tips for Optimizing Your Minecraft Server Performance]
• Troubleshooting: If you run into issues, check our [Internal Link: Advanced Playit.gg Troubleshooting Guide] or the basic connection guide.

Conclusion: Happy Hosting!

That’s it! Setting up a Minecraft Server with Playit.gg is a straightforward way to bypass port forwarding headaches and quickly get a server online for you and your friends. Enjoy your shared Minecraft adventures!

Also Read: What IP for Playit.gg

Minecraft Server with Playit.gg: FAQ

Q1: Do I need to do any port forwarding on my router for a Minecraft Server with Playit.gg?

No! That’s the primary benefit of using Playit.gg. It creates a tunnel, so you don’t need to configure port forwarding on your router.

Q2: What server address do I share with my friends so they can join my Playit.gg Minecraft server?

You need to share the full public address (e.g., example-name.at.ply.gg or 123.ip.ply.gg:54321) that Playit.gg provides for your active Minecraft tunnel in your dashboard.

Q3: Is it free to host a Minecraft Server with Playit.gg?

Yes, Playit.gg offers a free tier that is typically sufficient for hosting a Minecraft server for a small group of friends. They also offer premium plans with additional features like more tunnels, regional tunnel selection for potentially lower latency, and custom domains.

Q4: Can I host a modded Minecraft server (e.g., Forge, Fabric) using Playit.gg?

Absolutely! Playit.gg tunnels the connection to whatever Minecraft server software you are running locally. Set up your modded server on your computer as you normally would, then create a Playit.gg tunnel pointing to its local IP (127.0.0.1) and port.

Q5: My friends can’t connect to my Minecraft Server with Playit.gg. What should I check?

1. Ensure your actual Minecraft server software is running on your host PC. 2. Verify the Playit.gg client program is also running and shows as connected/tunnel active. 3. Confirm your friends are using the exact Playit.gg address and port you provided. 4. Check your host computer’s firewall (e.g., Windows Firewall) to make sure it’s not blocking incoming connections for java.exe or javaw.exe, or the Playit.gg client itself.

Q6: Does the Playit.gg program and my Minecraft server need to be running 24/7 for others to join?

Yes. For your Minecraft server to be accessible via Playit.gg, both your Minecraft server application (e.g., the server.jar process) and the Playit.gg client program must be continuously running on your host computer. If you turn off the computer or close either program, the server will go offline.