How to play Hytale with friends: every method

The quickest way to play with friends in Hytale is to open your world: load it, press Esc, open Online Play, turn on Allow Other Players to Join, save and send your friend the code that appears. Your friend pastes it into Servers > Join via Code and joins your game. You can also play on a dedicated server (your own or a rented one) or on public servers. In every case, each player needs their own account and their own copy of the game.

Multiplayer requirements

• One copy per player. Hytale is bought from the official store, and each license creates a profile on an account. To play together, everyone needs their own account with the game. If your friend doesn’t have it, you can gift them a copy from the official store using the gift option.
• The same version. The client and server must be on the same version. If one of you is on the test branch (pre-release) and the other on stable, you won’t be able to connect.
• PC. Hytale is only available on Windows, Mac and Linux. Check the Hytale requirements if anyone has a borderline PC.

Multiplayer is free: there’s no subscription. You’ll only pay if you decide to rent a server.

Method 1: invite friends to your world with a code

This is the official «Joining Friends» system and it doesn’t need a server. Your game acts as the host while you play.

If you’re the host

1. Load your single-player world.
2. Press Esc to open the pause menu.
3. Go to Online Play.
4. Turn on Allow Other Players to Join.
5. If you want, set a password and choose whether to include it in the code.
6. Click Save. The code and connection status will appear. Use Copy to Clipboard to copy it.

If you’re the guest

1. In the main menu, open Servers.
2. Choose Join via Code.
3. Paste the code and enter the password if asked.
4. Click Connect.

Important: the code contains your IP address. Only send it privately and never post it in a public chat or on a stream. It also expires, so if some time passes you’ll have to generate a new one.

If the code doesn’t appear or your friend can’t join

This system uses UPnP and direct connections, which don’t work on every network. Official support admits the feature is still maturing. Try this:

• Enable UPnP on your router and make sure your firewall allows Hytale.
• Check whether you’re behind CG-NAT: compare the WAN IP your router shows with your public IP. If they don’t match, your ISP has you behind CG-NAT and you won’t be able to host properly.
• Swap roles: have your friend create the world and invite you.
• Both of you install Tailscale, a VPN that’s free for personal use. Then save the Online Play screen again so the code includes the Tailscale addresses.

Update 6 made connecting to a world hosted by a friend generally much faster. It also added an experimental option in Settings for the host, Host With Quiche Transport (Experimental).

Method 2: play on the same local network

If you’re in the same house, use the same code method. Its connection list prioritizes your local network addresses, so on the same network you don’t depend on opening ports. The game also includes LAN server discovery.

Method 3: a dedicated server

With the code method, the world is only available while the host is playing. If you want an always-on world or you’re a big group, you need a dedicated server. There are two options:

• Set it up yourself with the official server (HytaleServer.jar). It needs Java 25 and at least 4 GB of RAM, and you have to authenticate it with your account. By default it uses port UDP 5520, not TCP. We explain it step by step in how to create a Hytale server.
• Rent one from a hosting provider. Official support names providers such as Nitrado, Apex Hosting, GPORTAL, Shockbyte and Dathost.

How to join a server

1. In the main menu, open Servers.
2. Use direct connect or add the server to your favorites.
3. Enter the address with the port, for example 123.45.67.89:5520 or play.yourdomain.com:5520.
4. Connect and enter the password if the server has one.

For a friends-only server, turn on the whitelist with /whitelist enable and add each person with /whitelist add. There’s more in our Hytale commands guide. If you’re going to build together, a land-claim mod like Simple Claims saves you a lot of grief.

Method 4: public servers

If you’re looking for people to play with, Hytale has had official in-game server lists since Update 5 (May 2026). Admins register their server and it shows up in the client’s servers section. Our Spanish-language Hytale servers guide lists Spanish-speaking communities.

Quick comparison

Playing with mods in multiplayer

On a dedicated server, mods go in the server’s mods/ folder. See how in installing mods in Hytale. If you get the connection error when joining, check our guide to the «failed to connect to server» error.

Hytale quick facts: download size · Steam Deck · on mobile · consoles · where to download it · price and whether it’s free · requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Does each player need their own copy of Hytale?

Yes. Each player needs a Hytale account with the game. Servers verify the account of whoever connects. You can gift a copy from the official store.

Can I play with my friends without a server?

Yes, with the invite code from Online Play. You just have to keep your game open while they play.

Why can’t my friend join with my code?

It’s almost always the router: UPnP disabled, double NAT or CG-NAT. Have your friend host instead, use Tailscale, or move to a dedicated server.

How many friends can play at once?

Official support doesn’t give a limit for worlds shared with a code. On a dedicated server, the admin sets the maximum with /maxplayers, although the real limit depends on RAM and view distance.

Is there crossplay with consoles?

No. Hytale is only on PC (Windows, Mac and Linux) and has no console version.