How to Allow Your Child to Join Your Minecraft Realm: A Comprehensive Guide
Allowing your child to explore the boundless creativity and collaborative fun of your Minecraft Realm is a fantastic way to bond and create lasting memories. The process involves a few key steps, primarily revolving around ensuring the proper Microsoft account settings and parental controls are in place.
First, ensure your child has their own Microsoft account. If they are under 13, this account must be linked to a parent’s Microsoft account. This establishes the necessary parental controls. Then:
- Log in to the Parent’s Microsoft Account: Visit https://account.xbox.com/settings using the parent’s Microsoft account credentials.
- Navigate to the Child Account: Find and select the child’s profile/account within the family settings.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Look for Xbox One/Windows 10 Online Safety settings. Ensure the following are set to “Allow”:
- You can join multiplayer games. This is crucial for accessing Realms.
- You can create and join clubs. (While not strictly necessary for Realms, it can enhance their overall Minecraft experience).
- You can join Realms. Some Microsoft Account pages will have this as an explicit setting.
- Minecraft Specific Permission: If your child’s account is restricted due to their age, look for a specific Minecraft permission. Sometimes, Minecraft may be restricted due to age ratings. In that case, a setting like “Allow this game” under the child’s account may need to be enabled. This explicitly grants permission for them to play Minecraft despite age restrictions.
- Realm Invitation: After adjusting the Microsoft account settings, invite your child to your Realm from within the Minecraft game. In Minecraft, go to your Realm settings and use the “Invite” feature, searching for your child’s Minecraft username or Microsoft account email.
- Accept the Invitation: On your child’s Minecraft account, navigate to the Friends tab in the “Play” menu. They should see an invitation to join your Realm. Accepting the invitation will grant them access.
By following these steps, you’ll successfully enable your child to join your Minecraft Realm and embark on exciting adventures together!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the intricacies of Minecraft Realms and parental controls:
Can a child under 13 play on a Minecraft Realm?
Yes, but with parental consent. Children under 13 require a Microsoft account linked to a parent’s account. The parent must then grant permission for the child to access online features, including multiplayer games and Realms, through the Microsoft account settings. This is in accordance with COPPA regulations and other privacy laws.
Do I need a separate Minecraft account for each of my children?
Yes. Each player needs their own Minecraft account to join a Realm. This is because Minecraft licenses are per-user, and each account has its own individual progress, inventory, and settings. Sharing an account is against Minecraft’s Terms of Service and can lead to account issues.
How do I find my Realm invite code?
There isn’t a single “invite code” anymore. Instead, you invite players by their Minecraft username (Gamertag) or Microsoft account email address. You can find the invitation option within your Realm settings in the Minecraft game. Navigate to “Play”, select the Realm, then select “Members”, from here you can enter the Gamertag/Microsoft account email address of the player you wish to invite.
My child is over 13, but still can’t join my Realm. What’s wrong?
Even for accounts over 13, incorrect privacy settings can still block access. Double-check that the “You can join multiplayer games” and “You can join Realms” settings are set to “Allow” in their Microsoft account privacy settings. Also verify if the account has been inadvertently flagged with parental controls that are now unnecessary.
Why does Minecraft say my child needs permission to play online?
This message indicates that the child’s Microsoft account has parental controls enabled and requires permission from a parent account to access online multiplayer features. You’ll need to log into the parent account at https://account.xbox.com/settings and adjust the privacy settings accordingly.
How do I change parental permissions in Minecraft?
Parental permissions are managed through the parent’s Microsoft account. Log in, navigate to the child’s account, and adjust the Xbox One/Windows 10 Online Safety settings to allow or restrict access to multiplayer games, Realms, and other online features. You can also manage settings directly from an Xbox console through Settings > Account > Family settings > Manage family members.
Is Minecraft Realms safe for children?
Realms are generally considered safer than public servers because they are invitation-only. You control who can join your Realm, limiting exposure to strangers and potentially inappropriate content. However, it’s still important to discuss online safety with your child and monitor their activity.
What is the minimum age to play Minecraft multiplayer?
There isn’t a strict minimum age, but children under 13 require parental consent to access online features. Minecraft itself is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB. Parents should consider their child’s maturity level when deciding whether to allow them to play online.
Why can’t my child access Minecraft Realms, even after I’ve changed the settings?
Sometimes, changes to Microsoft account settings can take some time to propagate. Try restarting Minecraft and even the device (console, computer, etc.) to ensure the updated settings are applied. Also, ensure the Minecraft version they are using is compatible with Realms.
Can siblings share a Minecraft Realm?
Yes! Realms are designed for playing with friends and family. As long as each sibling has their own Minecraft account and you invite them to the Realm, they can play together.
What happens if I remove parental controls from my child’s Microsoft account?
Removing parental controls means your child will have unrestricted access to online features, including multiplayer games and Realms. This might be appropriate for older teenagers, but younger children may still benefit from having some level of supervision. Proceed with caution and consider your child’s maturity level.
How many players can join my Minecraft Realm?
A standard Minecraft Realm supports up to 10 players at a time. However, only the Realm owner can invite and remove members.
Can I turn off parental permissions entirely?
Yes, but this is generally not recommended for younger children. To turn off supervision entirely, follow the steps outlined in the Microsoft Family Safety settings. Be aware that doing so removes all restrictions on their account.
My child accidentally got banned from a Realm. How do I unban them?
As the Realm owner, you can unban players who have been banned. In your Realm settings, look for a “Banned Players” list. Select the player you want to unban and remove them from the list.
Where can I learn more about the educational benefits of Minecraft?
Minecraft offers many opportunities for learning and skill development. You can learn more about the benefits of game-based learning on websites like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Minecraft has applications for learning math, engineering, collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity.
Ensuring your child can access and enjoy your Minecraft Realm involves careful attention to Microsoft account settings and parental controls. By understanding these steps and addressing common issues, you can create a safe and fun environment for your child to explore the world of Minecraft.