How to set up and manage a Realm in Minecraft for Windows 10

Minecraft, the building-block phenomenon that lets you create just about anything you want, is a lot of fun solo, but you can take things to the next level by creating a Realm and inviting your friends to join. While you can enjoy multiplayer in a regular world, if you'd like to let others remain in the world while you aren't present, purchasing a Realm is required. Here's how to set up and manage your own Realm in Minecraft for Windows 10.

How to create a Realm in Minecraft for Windows 10

Before managing anything, you need to get a Realm off the ground. Here's how it's done.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click Create New.

    Click Play. Click Create New.

  4. Click New Realm.

  5. Click Create New Realm.

    Click New Realm. Click Create New Realm.

  6. Type a name for your Realm.

  7. Click a duration of time for which you'd like to rent the realm.

    Type a name. Click a duration.

  8. Click a number of users for which you'd like to allow into the realm at once.

  9. Click the checkbox next to I agree.

    Click a number. Click the checkbox.

  10. Click Create for $X.XX button.

  11. Type your account password.

    Click Create. Type your password.

  12. Click Sign in.

  13. Click Buy.

    Click Sign in. Click Buy.

The transaction will finalize and you will now be able to invite friends to join your realm. Click Done, Let's Play! when you're finished inviting.

How to manage Minecraft Realm settings

There are some settings you can tweak to make your Realm feel more like home for you and your friends.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

    Click Play. Click the Edit button.

From here, you can change the Realm's name, add a description, change difficulty and game mode, and even enable cheats.

Realm settings

How to make a backup of your Realm

There's nothing worse than losing progress in Minecraft. For that reason, you can make backups of your online world.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.

  2. Click Play.

    Launch Minecraft. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

  4. Click Download World.

    Click the Edit button. Click Download World.

You'll now have a local backup of the Realm with a timestamp attached.

How to add an existing world to your Realm

If you have an existing world you'd like to share with friends, you can do so with Realms. This method will replace the existing world inside the Realm, so tread carefully.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

    Click Play. Click the Edit button.

  4. Click Replace World.

  5. Click Confirm.

    Click Replace World. Click Confirm.

  6. Click a World.

  7. Click Let's Go! when the upload is complete.

    Click a World. Click Let's Go!

How to reset your Realm

You can start with a completely new world inside your Realm at any time. Remember, this erases any progress you've made.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

    Click Play. Click the Edit button.

  4. Click Reset World.

  5. Click Reset.

    Click Reset World. Click Reset.

How to extend your Minecraft Realm subscription

You can only buy a Realm subscription in a set number of days, but that doesn't mean you can't extend by buying more time.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

    Click Play. Click the Edit button.

  4. Click Subscription.

  5. Click Extend Realm.

    Click Subscription. Click Extend Realm.

  6. Click a duration.

  7. Click Extend for $X.XX.

    Click a duration. Click Extend.

You'll now be able to submit your payment info and complete the transaction. If you extend while you still have days remaining in your current subscription, they will be tacked on to the total time. You won't lose any time by extending early.

How to invite people to your Minecraft Realm

A Realm is made for multiplayer! You can easily and quickly invite other people to your Realm.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

    Click Play. Click the Edit button.

  4. Click Members.

  5. Click Invite next to any people already in your Xbox friends list.

    Click Members. Click Invite.

How to share your Realm with everyone

Don't want to limit your Realm to people you know? Here's how to share a link with everyone.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.
  2. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

    Click Play. Click the Edit button.

  4. Click Members.

  5. Click Share.

    Click Members. Click Share.

Here you'll find a link that you can share. Anyone who has this link can join your realm, so it's a good idea to make a backup before opening it up to the public.

How to add posts to the Minecraft Realm news board

To keep track of the goings on in your Realm, there is a news board that members can add to.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.

  2. Click Play.

    Launch Minecraft. Click Play.

  3. Click the Newspaper button next to your Realm.

  4. Click New Post.

    Click the Newspaper button. Click New Post.

  5. Click the What are you up to? field.

  6. Type a message.

    Click the field. Type a message.

  7. Click Add Screenshot to add an image to your post. Only images taken in-game can be added.

  8. Click Share.

    Click Add Screenshot. Click Share.

How to close your Minecraft Realm

Don't want anyone joining your Realm? You can close it down. This will kick out anyone who's currently playing in the Realm.

  1. Launch Minecraft for Windows 10 from your Start menu or desktop.

  2. Click Play.

    Launch Minecraft. Click Play.

  3. Click the Edit button next to your Realm.

  4. Click Subscription.

    Click the Edit button. Click Subscription.

  5. Click Close Realm.

  6. Click Yes.

    Click Close Realm. Click Yes.

To re-open the Realm, just repeat these steps but click Open Realm in Step 5.

Related resources

Minecraft Realms review: Infinite procedural fun held back by weak admin tools

Updated August 7, 2018: I've overhauled this guide to reflect major changes made to the Realms system in Minecraft.