Palworld guide
How to join Palworld dedicated server?
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Short answer
To join a friend's Palworld world, either use the invite code they share from their in-game menu (for simple co-op), or enter the server's IP address and port directly if they're running a dedicated server. Both methods work across crossplay-enabled platforms, so you don't need to be on the same platform as your friend to join.
Quick answer
There are two ways to join a friend's Palworld world: using an invite code if they're hosting simple co-op, or connecting directly to their dedicated server's IP address and port if they're running one. Both routes work across platforms thanks to crossplay, so a Steam player can join an Xbox friend's session or vice versa without extra steps beyond making sure you're on the same game version.
Method 1: Invite code (co-op)
- Your friend loads their world and opens the in-game menu.
- They select the option to generate/copy an invite code.
- You choose "join with code" (or similar wording depending on platform) from your own game's menu.
- Paste or enter the code, and you'll connect directly to their session.
This only works while your friend is actively hosting — the world isn't available when they're offline, since it's running on their machine or console.
Method 2: Dedicated server (direct connect)
If your friend runs a dedicated server, it stays online independently of them being logged in personally. To join:
- Get the server's IP address and port from your friend (or use an in-game server browser if it's public).
- Use the direct-connect option in Palworld's multiplayer menu.
- Enter the address and port, then connect.
Dedicated servers support more players persistently and don't require any specific person to be online, which makes them the better fit for groups that play at different times.
Troubleshooting connection issues
| Problem | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| "Version mismatch" or similar error | You and your friend are on different game update versions — update and retry |
| Connection times out | The host hasn't forwarded the right ports (for self-hosted dedicated servers), or a firewall is blocking it |
| Can't find the invite code option | Check you're using the correct menu — solo save vs. multiplayer join screens differ by platform |
| Wrong IP or port | Double-check for typos; IPs can also change if the host's internet connection resets |
Crossplay makes this platform-agnostic
Since crossplay rolled out across Steam, Xbox, Game Pass, and PlayStation 5, none of the above depends on matching platforms — the requirement is matching game versions, not matching hardware or storefronts.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I enter a Palworld invite code?
- From the main menu or co-op join screen, select the option to join with a code and paste in the code your friend shared from their own game.
- Do I need the same platform as my friend to join?
- No, as long as both of you are on crossplay-enabled platforms (Steam, Xbox, Game Pass, or PlayStation 5) and running the same game version, you can join regardless of platform.
- Why can't I connect to my friend's dedicated server?
- The most common causes are a game version mismatch, the host not having forwarded the correct ports, or a typo in the IP address or port — double-check all three before assuming something's broken.
Go deeper
Full reference page for this topic, kept in sync with the game data.
How do you join a friend's Palworld server? →