Minecraft is a widely popular sandbox game that enables players to discover and construct their own virtual universes. The game’s highlight is the ability to create and join servers, where players can play together with friends from anywhere in the world. These servers can be used to collaborate on building projects, explore new areas, or participate in player-vs-player battles.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s dive right into everything you need to know about creating a Minecraft Server on your Mac!

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System Requirements for Creating a Minecraft Server on Mac

Here are the system requirements for creating a Minecraft server on Mac:

• Mac computer running OS X or macOS
• At least 4GB of RAM (8GB or more recommended)
• High-speed internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 1Mbps
• A static IP address or dynamic DNS service to allow players outside of your local network to connect to the server

Hardware

It’s also important to ensure that your Mac computer meets the following specifications:

• Intel Core i5 processor or higher
• Dedicated graphics card with at least 512MB of VRAM
• Solid-state drive (SSD) or hard disk drive (HDD) with at least 10GB of free space

Software

• The latest version of Java installed on your Mac computer
• The Minecraft server software, which can be downloaded from the official Minecraft website

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Installing Java and Minecraft Server Software

Creating a Minecraft server on a Mac is a straightforward process. First, you need to ensure that you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer. Next, download the Minecraft server software from the official website and move it into a new folder. Open Terminal on your Mac, navigate to the folder where the server software is located and use a command to start the server.

Once the server is ready, you can connect to it by opening Minecraft and selecting “Multiplayer.” Add the server’s IP address, give it a name, and click “Done.” You can customize the server further by editing the server properties file. By creating your Minecraft server, you can play with friends and experience the game in a new and exciting way.

Here’s a step-by-step process of how you can achieve this:

1. Install Java

To install Java on your Mac, you need to go to the official Java website and download the latest version of Java for Mac. Here are the steps to install Java on your Mac:

• Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Java website
• Click on the “Download” button on the website’s homepage
• On the next page, click on the “Agree and Start Free Download” button to start the download
• Once the download is complete, open the downloaded file
• Follow the installation instructions provided by the installer
• When the installation is complete, close the installer window
• Verify that Java has been successfully installed on your Mac by opening the “Terminal” app and typing “java -version” and press Enter

If the installation was successful, the Terminal window will display the version of Java installed on your Mac. With Java successfully installed, you can now proceed with creating your Minecraft server.

2. Download the Minecraft Server Software

To create a Minecraft server on a Mac, you need to download the Minecraft server software. Here are the steps to download the Minecraft server software:

• Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Minecraft website
• Click on the “Download” button on the website’s homepage
• On the next page, scroll down and click on the “Minecraft Server” button. This will take you to the download page for the Minecraft server software
• Scroll down and click on the link that corresponds to the version of Minecraft you want to run on your server
• The server software will be downloaded as a .jar file

3. Create a New Folder for the Minecraft Server

To create a new folder for the Minecraft server on your Mac, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the location on your Mac where you want to create the new folder. This can be your desktop, your Documents folder, or any other location of your choice.
• Right-click or Control-click on an empty space in the location, and select “New Folder” from the drop-down menu.
• Give the new folder a name that is easy to remember and identifies it as your Minecraft server folder. For example, you could name it “Minecraft Server” or “Server Files”.
• Once you have created the new folder, locate the downloaded .jar file for the Minecraft server and move it into the new folder. You can do this by dragging and dropping the file into the folder, or by using the “Cut” and “Paste” commands.

By creating a dedicated folder for your Minecraft server, you can keep all of your server files in one place and avoid cluttering up your Mac’s desktop or other folders.

4. Start the Minecraft Server

You can start the Minecraft server on a Mac by double-clicking the .jar file, but it’s not the best method. It may cause issues with file permissions and may prevent the server from running correctly.

Instead, it’s best to start the server using the Terminal app:

• Open the Terminal app on your Mac
• Navigate to the folder where you have stored the Minecraft server files. You can do this by typing “cd ” (without quotes) and then dragging the folder containing the server files into the Terminal window. Hit Enter to run the command.
• Once you’re in the correct folder, type the following command: “java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui” (without quotes) and hit Enter.
• The Minecraft server should now start up and begin generating files and configuring itself. This process may take several minutes, depending on the size of your server and the number of players connecting.
• Once the server has finished loading, you should see a message in the Terminal window that says “Done.” This means that the server is now running and ready for players to join.

By starting the Minecraft server using the Terminal app, you can ensure that it runs smoothly and without any issues. This method also allows you to customize the server settings and configurations as needed.

5. Accept the Minecraft EULA

To accept the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA) for your server, you need to follow these steps:

• Open the folder where you have stored the Minecraft server files
• Look for a file named “eula.txt” and open it with a text editor such as TextEdit
• Read the EULA carefully and locate the line that says “eula=false”
• Change “eula=false” to “eula=true” to accept the EULA
• Save the changes to the “eula.txt” file
• Close the file and restart the Minecraft server

Once you have accepted the EULA, your Minecraft server will be fully operational and ready for players to join. It is important to note that failure to accept the EULA may result in your server being shut down or other legal issues, so it’s essential to read and accept the agreement before running your server.

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Configuring the Server

Ensuring that your Minecraft server runs smoothly and offers an optimal gaming experience requires proper configuration. To configure your Minecraft server on a Mac, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Server.Properties File

To open the server.properties file for your Minecraft server on Mac:

• Open Terminal on your Mac
• Navigate to the folder where the Minecraft server files are stored using the “cd” command
• Once you’re in the correct folder, type “nano server.properties” and press Enter to open the server.properties file in the Nano text editor

This file contains various settings for your Minecraft server, such as the server name, game mode, difficulty level, and more.

Alternatively:

• Open the folder containing your Minecraft server files
• Open the “server.properties” file using a text editor like TextEdit

2. Adjust Server Settings

The “server.properties” file for your Minecraft server on Mac contains a range of settings that can be adjusted to customize your gaming experience.

Some of the most common settings to adjust include:

• Server name: Change the name of your server to something unique that reflects your personality or gaming style.
• Game mode: Choose between different game modes such as Survival, Creative, or Adventure mode to suit your preferred play style.
• Difficulty level: Adjust the difficulty level to make the game more challenging or easier as per your preference.
• Player limit: Set the maximum number of players that can connect to your server at any given time.
• World seed: Customize your world by specifying a world seed or leave it blank to generate a random world.

By adjusting these settings in the server.properties file, you can create a customized Minecraft server that is tailored to your preferences and offers a unique gaming experience.

3. Save the Changes

To save the changes you made to the “server.properties” file for your Minecraft server on Mac, follow these steps:

• Press “Control-X” in Nano to exit the text editor
• When prompted to save the changes, type “Y” and press “Enter” to confirm
• The changes will be saved to the “server.properties” file

Alternatively, you can use another text editor to modify the file, and then save it by selecting “Save” or “Save As” from the File menu. Be sure to save the file with the same name and in the same location as the original “server.properties” file.

4. Restart the Server

To close the Minecraft server if it’s currently running, go to the Terminal window where the server is running and type “stop” followed by “Enter”. This will shut down the server.

To start the server again, double-click the .jar file in the Minecraft server folder. The server will automatically load the new configuration settings that you have saved in the “server.properties” file. It may take a few minutes for the server to generate the necessary files and start up again. Once it’s running, you can join the server in Minecraft and begin playing with your preferred settings.

Setting Up Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is necessary if you want to allow players outside of your local network to connect to your Minecraft server. It’s a process that involves configuring your router to forward incoming traffic on a specific port to your server’s IP address.

Here’s how to set up port forwarding on your Mac:

1. Determine your Local IP Address

To determine your local IP address on a Mac, you can follow these steps:

• Open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Spotlight icon (the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of your screen) and typing “Terminal” in the search bar.
• Once the Terminal app is open, type “ifconfig” (without the quotes) and press Enter.
• Look for the section labeled “en0”. Your local IP address will be listed under “inet” in this section.
• Take note of the IP address listed under “inet” as this is your local IP address.

2. Access Your Router’s Settings

To access your router’s settings on a Mac, you can follow these steps:

• Open a web browser on your Mac, such as Safari or Chrome.
• In the address bar at the top of the browser, type in your router’s IP address and press Enter. You can typically find this information on the router itself or in the router’s manual.
• You may be prompted to enter your router’s username and password. If you have not changed these from the default, you can find them in the router’s manual or through a quick online search for your router model.
• Once you have entered the correct login information, you should be taken to your router’s settings page where you can configure various options, including port forwarding for your Minecraft server.

3. Find the Port Forwarding Settings

To find the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” settings in your router’s settings menu, you need to access your router’s configuration page.

The exact steps to do this may vary depending on your router’s make and model, but generally, you need to open a web browser on your Mac and enter your router’s IP address into the address bar.

Then, log in to your router using your username and password, and navigate to the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” settings. These settings are usually located in the “Advanced” or “Firewall” section of your router’s settings menu. If you’re not sure how to access these settings, consult your router’s manual or contact your internet service provider for assistance.

4. Add a New Port Forwarding Rule

To add a new port forwarding rule, follow these steps:

• Locate the “Add Rule” or “Create New Port Forwarding Rule” button in your router’s port forwarding settings
• Enter a name for the rule (e.g. “Minecraft Server”)
• Enter the IP address of your Mac (the local IP address you found earlier).
• Enter “25565” as the port number to forward

“25565” is the default port number used by Minecraft servers. It is the port that the server uses to listen for incoming connections from players who want to join the server.

• Select “TCP” as the protocol
• Save the changes to your router’s settings

To save the changes made to the router’s settings, you should look for a “Save” or “Apply” button in the port forwarding settings section. Click on this button to save the changes you have made.

Some routers may automatically save changes as soon as you make them, while others may require you to manually apply the changes. It’s a good idea to double-check that the changes have been saved by closing the router’s settings page and then reopening it to ensure that the changes are still there.

5. Test the Port Forwarding

To test the port forwarding, you can follow these steps:

• Use an online port checker tool to confirm that the port forwarding is working properly
• Open Minecraft and enter your external IP address (which can be found by searching “what is my IP” on Google) into the server address field
• If the server is configured and running correctly, you should be able to connect to it from outside your local network
• It’s important to note that some internet service providers (ISPs) may block certain ports, including the default Minecraft server port (25565)
• If you’re unable to connect to your server from outside your local network, you may need to try a different port or contact your ISP for assistance

Testing the Server

After setting up and configuring your Minecraft server on Mac, it is crucial to test it to verify its proper functioning. Here’s how to test your server:

Connect to the Server

• Open Minecraft on your Mac by first launching the Minecraft application
• Once it is launched, click on “Multiplayer” in the main menu
• Next, click on “Add Server” to add your server to the list.
• In the “Server Name” field, enter a name for your server
•  In the “Server Address” field, enter “localhost”
• Then click “Done”
• Finally, select the server you just added from the server list and click “Join Server” to connect. This will connect you to your own server running on your local machine.

Test Server Functions

After connecting to the server, you can test various server functions to ensure that everything is working correctly. Here are some common functions to test:

• Movement: Move around the server to make sure you can walk, run, jump, and swim without any issues.
• Chat: Test the chat function to make sure you can communicate with other players on the server.
• Block Placement: Try placing and breaking blocks to make sure these functions work correctly.

If any issues arise, you can check the server console for error messages or check the server logs for more detailed information on what might be causing the problem. Once you’re satisfied that everything is working properly, you can invite others to join your server and enjoy the Minecraft gaming experience together.

Invite Other Players

• To invite other players to join your server, you need to provide them with your external IP address and the port number. They can enter this information into the “Add Server” menu in Minecraft and connect to your server.
• Once they are connected to the server, they can begin playing Minecraft with you and any other players who have joined the server.

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Inviting Players to Join the Server

After testing your Minecraft server and confirming that it’s working properly, you can invite other players to join your server. Here’s how to invite players to join your Minecraft server on Mac:

1. Determine your External IP Address

Here’s how you can determine your external IP address:

• Open a web browser on your Mac.
• In the search engine, type “what is my IP” and press Enter.
• The search engine will display your external IP address in the search results. This is the address you need to provide to other players so they can connect to your Minecraft server.
• Note that your external IP address may change from time to time, so you may need to check it periodically and update other players as needed.

2. Provide Players With the Server Address

To share your external IP address with the players you want to invite to your Minecraft server, you can simply provide them with the IP address followed by the port number (default is 25565), separated by a colon. For example, the server address would look like this: “123.45.67.89:25565”. You can communicate this information to other players via email, text message, social media, or any other preferred method of communication.

3. Instruct Players to Add the Server

To instruct players to add the server, you can follow the below steps:

• Instruct players to open Minecraft and click on “Multiplayer” from the main menu
• Next, ask them to click on “Add Server” to add your server to their server list
• They will need to enter the server name of their choice in the “Server Name” field
• Then, they should enter the server address you provided in the “Server Address” field, including the external IP address and port number separated by a colon, such as “123.45.67.89:25565”
• Finally, they should click on “Done” to add the server to their server list
• Once the server has been added, they can select it from their server list and click on “Join Server” to connect to your Minecraft server

4. Players Can Connect to the Server

Once the players have added the server to their list, they can simply select it and click “Join Server” to connect. After the connection is established, they should be able to access your Minecraft server and start playing with you and other invited players.

It’s important to note that players outside of your local network may experience some latency or lag due to the distance and the speed of their internet connection. However, with proper port forwarding and a stable internet connection, players should be able to enjoy a seamless Minecraft experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating a Minecraft server on a Mac can be a fun and rewarding experience for gamers. With the right tools and steps, anyone can set up a server and invite friends to play together. The process involves downloading and installing Java, setting up the server, configuring port forwarding, and testing the server. By following these steps, players can enjoy an uninterrupted, customizable Minecraft experience on their Mac. So, go ahead and try creating your Minecraft server on your Mac, and enjoy hours of gaming fun with your friends!

Whether you’re a seasoned Minecraft player or a beginner, this guide provides all the information you need to get started and enjoy the game with others.

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Next Steps: What now?

• Customize your server settings to create a unique gameplay experience
• Upgrade your server hardware or hosting plan to accommodate more players
• Explore different Minecraft server hosting options
• Here are our recommended web hosting providers for reliable and affordable hosting solutions
• If you’re interested in hosting a Minecraft server on Windows, check out our guide
• Learn about Node.js hosting that provides an efficient solution for hosting web applications and game servers

Further Reading – Useful Resources

• How to Install Minecraft Server on Ubuntu
• Cheap Minecraft Server Hosting

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