How to Join a Hytale Server (The Easy Way)

Let’s be honest: Hytale is going to be amazing solo, but we all know the real magic happens when you drag your friends along for the ride. Whether it’s building a massive fortress together or just exploring the wilds of Orbis, multiplayer is where the memories are made.

If you’re staring at the main menu wondering how to actually get into a game with other people, don’t worry. It’s actually pretty straightforward, but there are two different ways to do it depending on what you’re looking for.

Here is my personal breakdown of how to join a server in Hytale, based on the latest methods.

Option 1: The “Friend Join” System (Best for Quick Sessions)

This is probably the coolest feature for small groups. You don’t need to rent a server or be an IT wizard to play with your best friend. Hytale has a built-in system that lets you hop directly into their single-player world.

How it works: Your friend hosts the game on their PC. The game uses something called UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) to handle all the messy network stuff automatically. They generate a “share code,” and you use it to join. Simple.

Step-by-Step:

Get the Code: Ask your friend to host their world and send you their unique Share Code. (Remind them to keep it private—it contains their IP address!)
Go to Servers: Launch Hytale and click on Servers in the main menu.
Join via Code: Look for the “Join via code” button.
Connect: Paste the code. If they set a password, type that in too.
Play: Hit Connect, and you should load right into their world.

Option 2: Joining a Dedicated Server (Best for Communities)

If you are looking for something more permanent—like a server that stays online 24/7 or holds hundreds of players—you’ll want to join a Dedicated Server. These are the big community hubs where you’ll find minigames, factions, and roleplay worlds.

Step-by-Step:

Find an IP: First, you need the server’s address (e.g., play.prismarealms.com). You can usually find these on server lists or Discord communities like the official Hytale Discord.
Direct Connect: In the Servers menu, click “Direct connect”.
Enter Details: Type in the IP address.
- Note: The default port is usually 5520. If the server uses a different one, the owner will tell you (e.g., play.server.com:25565).
Save It (Optional): If you plan to play there often, you can add it to your Server List so you don’t have to type the IP every time.

Troubleshooting: “Help, I Can’t Connect!”

Sometimes, technology just doesn’t want to cooperate. If you are getting errors, here are the most common fixes I’ve found:

“Connection Timed Out”: This is the classic. First, check your firewall. Make sure Hytale is allowed through (specifically UDP port 5520). If you are joining a friend, tell them to check their firewall too.
“Authentication Failed”: This is usually on the server’s end. The admin might need to authenticate their server with Hytale’s services.
Share Code Not Working: These codes expire! If it’s been a while, ask your friend to generate a fresh one. Also, if they have a strict network (like a college dorm), UPnP might not work. In that case, you might need a tool like Tailscale to create a direct connection.
Version Mismatch: Hytale updates happen. Make sure you and the server are on the exact same version of the game.

Final Thoughts

Getting into a server shouldn’t be a headache. I personally love the “Friend Join” feature for casual gameplay—it feels very modern compared to the old days of manually port forwarding just to show a friend your dirt house.

Have you managed to hop into a server yet? Let me know if you run into any other weird errors, and I’ll try to help out!