How-to Guides

Hosting a Minecraft Server

Learn how to expose your local Minecraft server to the internet using Port Buddy, allowing your friends to join without port forwarding or configuring your router.

Prerequisites

  • A running Minecraft Server (Java or Bedrock Edition) on your local machine.
  • Port Buddy CLI installed and authenticated.

Java Edition

Minecraft Java Edition uses TCP port 25565 by default.

1. Start your Minecraft Server

Ensure your server is running and accessible locally (usually at localhost:25565).

2. Expose the port

Run the following command in your terminal:

portbuddy tcp 25565

You will see output similar to this:

tcp localhost:25565 exposed to: net-proxy-1.portbuddy.dev:42123

3. Connect

Share the address (e.g., net-proxy-1.portbuddy.dev:42123) with your friends. They can enter this address in the Multiplayer menu under "Direct Connection" or "Add Server".

Bedrock Edition

Minecraft Bedrock Edition uses UDP port 19132 by default.

1. Start your Bedrock Server

Ensure your server is running locally.

2. Expose the port

Run the following command:

portbuddy udp 19132

3. Connect

Share the generated address and port with your friends. They can add it to their server list.