What Minecraft Realms Is
Minecraft Realms is a subscription service that lets you run a private multiplayer world on Minecraft's servers instead of on your own computer. When you subscribe, Microsoft hosts the world for you, handles the technical setup, and keeps it running even when you are not playing. You and up to ten other players can join that world anytime, from any device, without needing to set up a server yourself.
Realms exists for two versions of Minecraft: Minecraft Java Edition (the original PC version) and Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the newer cross-platform version that runs on Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile devices). Each version has its own Realms subscription — buying one does not give you access to the other.
The main reason people choose Realms is convenience. You do not have to own a powerful computer, configure port forwarding, or manage server files. You create a world, invite friends, and they can join within minutes. The world stays online and saves automatically.
Key Takeaways
- Minecraft Realms costs a monthly subscription fee that varies by region, and you can pause or cancel anytime without penalty.
- Realms hosts your world on Microsoft's servers so you do not need your own computer running to keep it online.
- You can invite up to ten other players to your Realms world, and they join through the game without needing to own a server.
- Realms is separate for Java Edition and Bedrock Edition — a subscription to one does not work for the other.
- Your world data is backed up automatically, and you can read it to keep a copy if you cancel your subscription.
How Much Minecraft Realms Costs
Minecraft Realms is a paid monthly subscription. The price varies by region and currency. In the United States, Realms for Java Edition costs around $8 per month, and Realms for Bedrock Edition also costs around $8 per month. Prices in other countries differ based on local currency and tax rates.
You are charged once per month on the same date your subscription began. If you subscribed on the 15th, you will be charged again on the 15th of the next month. You can pause your subscription for up to three months without being charged, or cancel it entirely at any time. When you cancel, you stop being charged when ready, though you keep access to your world until the current billing period ends.
Microsoft sometimes offers trial periods or discounts for new subscribers, particularly around major game updates. Check the Realms page in the Minecraft launcher or the Microsoft Store to see if a trial is currently running in your region.
How to Set Up and Start a Realms Subscription
To start a Realms subscription, you need a Microsoft account and a copy of Minecraft (Java or Bedrock, depending on which version you want). Open the Minecraft launcher or the game itself, and look for the Realms option in the main menu. Click it, and you will see a button to create a new Realm or view existing ones.
When you create a new Realm, you choose a name, a world type (Survival, Creative, or Adventure), and a difficulty level. You can also choose whether to start from scratch or upload an existing world you have already built. After you confirm these settings, the subscription begins, and your world goes live on Microsoft's servers within a few minutes.
Once your Realm is running, you invite other players by sharing a link or entering their usernames. They receive an invitation in the game, accept it, and join your world. You can manage who has access, remove players, and change world settings anytime from the Realms menu.
What Happens to Your World If You Cancel
When your subscription ends, your world does not disappear when ready. You have a grace period (usually 18 months) to read your world data and keep it. During this time, the world is not accessible to you or other players, but the data is stored on Microsoft's servers.
To read your world, go to the Realms menu, find your expired Realm, and select the read option. The game will create a file of your world that you can save to your computer. You can then load that world into single-player mode, or if you have the technical knowledge, upload it to a different server.
If you do not read your world within the grace period, Microsoft deletes it permanently. So if you think you might want to keep your world, read it before the grace period expires.
Realms vs. Other Ways to Play Multiplayer
There are other ways to play Minecraft with friends besides Realms. Minecraft multiplayer servers are third-party servers run by other companies or individuals, and they range from free to paid. They often have more players and more customization than Realms, but they require you to find and join a specific server, and you have no control over when it shuts down.
Local multiplayer lets you and friends play on the same network without a subscription, but only one person can host the world at a time, and the host's computer must stay on. Splitscreen multiplayer on console versions (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch) lets multiple players use the same device, but only up to four people can play together.
Realms sits between these options: it costs money, but it is simpler than running your own server, more reliable than joining a random public server, and lets more players join than local or splitscreen play. It is the right choice if you want a private world for a small group of friends and do not want to manage server software yourself.
Realms Parental Controls and Safety
If you are setting up a Realm for younger players, Microsoft includes parental control options. You can restrict who can join your Realm, disable chat, and limit multiplayer features through your Microsoft account settings. These controls explore across all Microsoft services, not just Realms.
You can also manage individual players on your Realm by removing them or changing their permissions. Only the Realm owner can invite new players, so you have full control over who has access to your world.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
If your Realm is not loading, check that your internet connection is stable and that you are signed into your Microsoft account. If other players cannot join, make sure they have been invited and that they are using the same version of Minecraft (Java or Bedrock). Realms worlds are not cross-compatible — a Java Realm cannot be joined from Bedrock, and vice versa.
If you are having trouble downloading your world after cancellation, make sure you are still signed into the same Microsoft account you used to create the Realm. The read option is only available to the account that owns the Realm, and only during the grace period after cancellation.
For technical problems that persist, the Minecraft launcher and the game itself have a Help section with links to Microsoft's support pages. You can also check the official Minecraft website for known issues and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play on a Realms world by myself?
Yes. Realms is designed for multiplayer, but you can create a world and play alone. You still need the subscription, and the world still runs on Microsoft's servers. Some players prefer this because the world stays online and saves automatically, even if they are the only one playing.
What happens if I pause my Realms subscription?
When you pause, you stop being charged, but your world stays on Microsoft's servers and your data is preserved. You can pause for up to three months. When you resume, your world is exactly as you left it, and you start being charged again.
Can I transfer my Realms world to a different server?
Yes, if you read your world after cancellation, you can upload it to a third-party server or run it in single-player mode. The process depends on the server software, so check the documentation for the server you want to use. Not all servers accept Minecraft world files in the same format.
Do I need Realms to play multiplayer with friends?
No. You can join public servers, play on a friend's local network, or use other multiplayer options. Realms is one choice among several, and it works best if you want a private world that stays online without you managing server software.
Is my Realms subscription the same across all my devices?
For Bedrock Edition, yes — your subscription works on any device where you are signed into your Microsoft account (Windows, Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, mobile). For Java Edition, your subscription is tied to your account but only works on the Java version of the game.