How to Play Hytale With Friends
Use Hytale friend invites and share codes, fix common connection problems, and decide when a dedicated server is the better option.
Last updated: 2026-08-17
The quickest way to play Hytale with friends is to open a singleplayer world through Online Play and send trusted friends its share code. Use a dedicated server when the world should stay online without the host playing, needs stronger administration, or regularly serves a larger group.
Verification status: Friend-join steps and network behavior were reviewed against Hypixel Studios' Joining Friends article, updated July 28, 2026, and the official Update 5 and Update 6 notes.
Invite friends to your world
- Load the singleplayer world you want to share.
- Press Esc and open Online Play.
- Turn Allow Other Players to Join on.
- Optionally set a password.
- Choose whether the password should be included in the share code.
- Save and wait for Hytale to finish its connection check.
- Copy the share code and send it directly to people you trust.
Hytale uses UPnP when available and builds encrypted connection candidates into the share code. These can include local, public, and VPN addresses.
Privacy warning: A share code contains connection information including your IP address. Never post one publicly, paste it into an open chat, or show it on a stream.
Join a friend's Hytale world
- Open Servers from the main menu.
- Select Join via Code.
- Paste the share code.
- Enter the password if it was not embedded.
- Select Connect.
The client tries the available connection candidates until one succeeds.
Friend invite or dedicated server?
| Need | Friend-hosted world | Dedicated server |
|---|---|---|
| Quick session with a few trusted friends | Best fit | More setup than necessary |
| World available when the original host is offline | No | Yes |
| Persistent community world | Limited | Best fit |
| Mods and detailed administration | Host-controlled | Better operational control |
| Automatic backups and updates | Tied to the local host | Supported server workflow |
| Public discovery | No | Eligible servers can use Server Discovery |
Update 5 added the Social Sidebar, direct friend invitations, and Server Discovery. A private group can therefore begin with friend hosting and move to a dedicated server when uptime or administration becomes important.
Why no share code appears
Common causes include:
- UPnP is disabled or unsupported by the router.
- The connection passes through two routers, creating double NAT.
- A local firewall blocks Hytale's network access.
- VPN software changes the available network interfaces.
- The ISP uses a network arrangement that prevents direct inbound connections.
Update 6 pre-release work has improved Wi-Fi and VPN reliability and adds clearer warnings when automatic port forwarding is unavailable, but direct friend hosting still cannot work on every network.
Friends cannot connect with the code
Try these checks in order:
- Generate a fresh code and send it privately.
- Confirm the host remains inside the shared world with Online Play enabled.
- Confirm everyone is on a compatible game version.
- Allow Hytale through the host firewall without disabling the firewall entirely.
- Check for double NAT or restrictive router settings.
- Try the official alternative of a trusted VPN connection such as Tailscale.
- Reverse who hosts the world to determine whether one network is the blocker.
- Move the world to a dedicated or managed server when direct hosting remains unreliable.
When to move to a dedicated server
A dedicated server is the better choice when players expect 24/7 access, the host computer should not remain on, backups need independent scheduling, or moderators need persistent permissions and logs.
Start with the dedicated server setup guide, or compare managed Hytale hosting if you do not want to maintain the machine and router yourself.