Difference in Minecraft Versions: Unable to Play with Friends

Neomorph99 · Apr 19, 2021

Hi,

I have been having a problem with playing multiplayer on Minecraft, and I have searched all over for an answer but am unable to find something describing exactly what is happening to me. I am on PC and purchased Minecraft through the Microsoft store. I am able to play Minecraft with players on Xbox and the Switch, which I have linked up with through the Xbox console companion app. Today I tried to play with a friend of mine who is also on PC, but her version of Minecraft is different than mine. In the Microsoft store, my version is "Minecraft for Windows 10". It is like my version is "newer" than hers; the launcher looks different on startup, and my title page has buttons for "Play", "Settings", and "Marketplace". Hers says "Singleplayer", "Multiplayer", and "Minecraft Realms". Both of ours are fully updated and on PC but my game looks completely different. When I search her username under my "Friends" tab it doesn't come up, so I can't invite her to play. I'm suspicious the different version has to do with me buying through the Microsoft store and her buying through Minecraft.net years ago. Long story short, are these versions incompatible? I just cannot figure out how to play with her and why our versions are different.

Thank you for any advice!

:)

AlRuggles

Our Xbox One x was working with our Windows 10 PC version until a couple of days ago. Now the Xbox One x has point one version whereas the PC has point wo and they do not work together. Please advise

wi7bit

Hi Neomorph99

Just to add to this, there are two versions of Minecraft for the PC. The bedrock edition (also known as Minecraft for Windows 10) and the Java edition.

The bedrock version is the one needed if you wish to play with friends on their created worlds. This is a cross platform version, which means you can play with friends who use consoles or mobile devices. It also has access to realms and some servers.

The Java edition basically has the same features, but the ability to play with friends is a bit limited. This version will only work with realms, lots of online servers, but limited to local LAN (in the same home) for user created worlds.

So, the bedrock edition is better for playing with friends, as you have more options. The java edition is great if you like to use mods and stuff. Unfortunately, you will be unable to play together on the different versions.

Hope that helps.

KZed Perez

Your version IS different from hers. Her version is Java. Yours is Bedrock/Windows 10. Don't worry, this isn't compatible for multiplayer, it still the same. Try asking her to buy the Minecraft for Windows 10.

smithy10GB

Yes actually, there is a quick way to tell what version you have installed.

The bedrock edition of Minecraft is only called "Minecraft"

Whereas the other version is "Minecraft xbox one edition"

I believe it is the bedrock edition you require to play with friends on different devices.

Hope this helps!

Ogrebeth

There is the Older minecraft xbox one edition and the Minecraft bedrock edition which when you hover over it is just called "Minecraft" Your sons friends might be playing on the older one while your son has a different version

So the only way they could play this game together is if his friends update their minecraft? Is that right?

Difference in Minecraft Versions: Unable to Play with Friends