Guides › Basics
Once your add-on works in single player, the next step is playing it together. In Bedrock, the packs live in the world, and players who join download the resource packs they need. That means friends can play your add-on without installing it, as long as they join a world that has it.
There are a few ways to host that world. The right one depends on how many people play, how often, whether friends are on consoles, and whether you want to pay.
Step by step
Host from your own world
The simplest option: turn on the packs in your world and let friends join while you play. It's free, but the world closes when you leave.
Minecraft Realms
Realms is Mojang's paid subscription for an always-on world. Apply the packs to a world on Windows, a phone or a tablet, then upload it to your Realm. Uploading replaces the Realm's current world, so back it up first.
Bedrock Dedicated Server
Mojang offers the Bedrock Dedicated Server for free on Windows and Ubuntu Linux. Put your world, with its packs, in the server's worlds folder and set level-name in server.properties. The computer must stay on, and friends outside your home network need port forwarding or similar.
Free hosts like Aternos
Some free hosts, such as Aternos, can run Bedrock servers. Free plans usually have limits, like queues or the server stopping when nobody is online. Check whether you can upload a world or add-on packs before you start.
Paid server hosts
Many paid hosts run Bedrock servers and let you upload worlds and packs from a control panel. Compare price, player slots, server location and whether add-on uploads are supported.
Check what friends need
Friends need Minecraft Bedrock Edition on a version that matches the world or server, and should accept the resource pack download when they join.
Tips
- Test the add-on in single player first, so you know any problem is with hosting and not the add-on.
- An exported .mcworld file is a zip that includes the world's packs, which makes it easy to move a world to a server.
- On your own server, set texturepack-required=true in server.properties so everyone gets the resource pack.
- Keep the server's Minecraft version up to date, or players on newer versions may not be able to join.
- Back up the world before uploading it anywhere.
Questions
Can console players join a world with add-ons?
Yes. They can't import add-on files, but they can join a Realm or a friend's world that has the add-on, and the packs download for them. Consoles only list featured servers, so joining your own server from a console usually needs a workaround.
Is Realms the only way?
No. You can also host from your own world, run the free Bedrock Dedicated Server, or use a free or paid server host.
Does Addon's Studio host servers?
No. Addon's Studio makes the add-on. You host it with one of the options above.
Related guides
Try it free
Addon's Studio runs in your browser. No download, no coding.