The Ultimate Guide to Downloading Minecraft Servers on Mac

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Minecraft is an incredibly popular sandbox game that offers endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. While the base game provides a fantastic single-player experience, many players crave the excitement of multiplayer gameplay. To enjoy multiplayer adventures in Minecraft, you'll need to download and set up a Minecraft server. If you're a Mac user and looking to embark on your multiplayer journey, this ultimate guide will walk you through the process of downloading Minecraft servers on your Mac.

Step 1: Ensure Java is Installed

Before you can download and run a Minecraft server on your Mac, you need to have Java installed. Most Macs come pre-installed with Java, but it's essential to make sure you have the latest version. Visit the official Java website and download the latest version of Java for Mac if needed.

Step 2: Download the Minecraft Server Software

To set up a Minecraft server, you'll need to download the server software. Visit the official Minecraft website (minecraft.net) and navigate to the "Download" section. Look for the "Minecraft Server" option and click on it. Make sure to select the version that matches your desired gameplay experience (e.g., Java Edition, Bedrock Edition).

Step 3: Create a Dedicated Folder for the Server

Choose a suitable location on your Mac where you want to store your Minecraft server files. It's best to create a dedicated folder for this purpose. Right-click on your desktop or in any desired directory, select "New Folder," and give it a recognizable name.

Step 4: Move the Server Software to the Dedicated Folder

Locate the downloaded Minecraft server software file, which is usually a JAR file. Move the file to the dedicated folder you created in the previous step. This folder will serve as the main location for your server files and configurations.

Step 5: Run the Minecraft Server

Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the "Utilities" folder within your "Applications" directory. In the Terminal, navigate to the dedicated folder where you placed the Minecraft server software. You can use the "cd" command followed by the folder path to change directories. For example, if your folder is on the desktop, you would type: "cd ~/Desktop/folder-name".

Once you're in the correct folder, execute the following command to start the Minecraft server: "java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server-file-name.jar nogui". Replace "server-file-name.jar" with the actual name of the server software file you downloaded.

Step 6: Accept the Minecraft EULA

When you run the server for the first time, it will generate some necessary files and configurations. Among these files, you'll find a text file called "eula.txt." Open this file with a text editor, such as TextEdit, and change the line that says "eula=false" to "eula=true". Save the file and exit the text editor.

Step 7: Customize Server Settings (Optional)

If you want to customize your server settings, such as the maximum number of players, game mode, or world generation settings, you can do so by editing the "server.properties" file in your dedicated folder. Open the file with a text editor and modify the desired settings. Save the file after making changes.

Step 8: Connect to Your Minecraft Server

Now that your server is up and running, you and your friends can connect to it. Launch Minecraft on your Mac and select "Multiplayer" from the main menu. Click on the "Add Server" button and enter a name for your server. In the "Server Address" field, enter "localhost" if you're hosting the server on your own Mac. Otherwise, enter the IP address or domain name of the computer hosting the server. Click "Done" to save the server information.

To join the server, select it from the server list and click "Join Server." If you've done everything correctly, you should now be connected to your Minecraft server.

Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and set up a Minecraft server on your Mac. Enjoy the endless adventures and multiplayer fun that Minecraft has to offer. Remember to keep your server software updated and explore additional customization options to create a unique multiplayer experience.