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Send your friends the details they need to join

Share the required Minecraft edition and version alongside the server address. Bedrock also needs the port; a Java modpack requires the matching client modpack release. Do not share your hosting account credentials.

  1. Note the Minecraft edition and version from your actual configuration; for modpacks, include the loader and modpack version.

  2. Copy the connection details from the panel. First test with one friend that joining and the intended world work.

  3. Mixed Java and Bedrock groups use supported Paper with Geyser and Floodgate. Java modpacks requiring client mods are a different setup and remain Java-only.

  4. If the free server is sleeping, allow time for it to wake. Try joining again once it has started; load and queueing can increase the wait.

Starting free: resources, breaks and backups

The free tier includes 2 GB RAM and requires no payment details. Suitable player counts and mods depend on the world, view distance, plugins and load. Test your actual gameplay; a RAM figure alone is not a performance guarantee.

Free servers sleep after 15 minutes without players. Load and queueing can delay waking. First setup and waking are different operations: the product facts report separate measurements, sample sizes and limitations. Allow another connection attempt after startup if your first attempt arrived while the server was still waking.

Before a longer break, read the current inactivity and retention rules. A sleeping server is not an indefinitely retained backup. Manual backups and daily schedules are included within the free tier limits. Enable the schedule you want and check the latest successful backup before relying on it.

More RAM or continuous runtime are reasons to consider a paid option. Check the actual selected configuration and final price in the configurator. Also compare runtime, renewal and included features; a price for a different RAM amount is not the price of your selection.

Current mcfreehost plan limits, retention rules and measured start times

Start with the configuration your group needs

First choose your Minecraft edition and required server software. Then test joining and your world before adding more plugins or mods. This makes it easier to identify which change caused a problem.

Choose a Minecraft edition and configure it for free

Related guides for your next step

Example connection section with separate server address and Bedrock port fields
Reference capture from the game-serverhosting panel of our second brand. It illustrates separate address and port fields, not a public example world. Use the current values in your own mcfreehost panel. Consoles may require additional connection steps.