Palworld guide
How to play with friends in Palworld?
Players search this as “palword how to play with friends”. Here is the verified Palworld 1.0 answer, plus the tools that let you act on it right away.
Short answer
Host a multiplayer session directly from your own world via the in-game menu and share the connection details, or set up a dedicated server for a more persistent, always-available option. Friends join through the multiplayer menu using an invite code or server IP, and Steam friends can often join directly through the platform's invite system.
Palworld's co-op is straightforward once you know the two main hosting options and pick the one that fits your group.
Quick answer
The simplest option is hosting directly from your own world through the in-game multiplayer menu and sharing your connection details with friends. For a group that wants the world always available, set up a dedicated server instead, which friends join anytime via IP or invite code independent of whether you're personally online.
1. Direct hosting from your world
- Open your world's pause menu and enable multiplayer/co-op hosting.
- Share the generated connection code, Steam invite, or IP with friends.
- Friends select "Join" from the multiplayer menu and enter the details.
- This session only stays active while your game and world remain open.
2. Dedicated server hosting
| Aspect | Direct host | Dedicated server |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | Low | Higher (separate software/files) |
| World availability | Only while host plays | Always on while server runs |
| Settings control | In-game menu | PalWorldSettings.ini file |
| Best for | Casual, occasional sessions | Regular group play |
A dedicated server runs as separate software, either self-hosted or through a hosting provider, and uses the same settings file described in how to change server settings.
3. Joining through Steam
If your friends are on Steam, inviting them directly through Steam's overlay is often the fastest route into a direct-hosted session, bypassing manual IP entry.
4. Player limits
The default player cap is modest, but dedicated servers can raise this limit in settings, up to a considerably higher cap depending on server resources and configuration.
5. What's shared vs. individual
Each player keeps their own captured Pals, inventory and character progression, while bases, structures and the world map are shared among everyone in the session — coordinate base locations with your group to avoid overlap.
6. Troubleshooting connection issues
Most co-op connection problems come down to port forwarding (for self-hosted direct or dedicated setups) or mismatched game versions between host and joining players — make sure everyone is updated to the same patch before troubleshooting further.
Related pages
- /answers/how-to-change-server-settings-and-difficulty-in-palworld — tune the shared world
- / — Palworld hub
- /pals — plan a shared team composition
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a dedicated server to play co-op?
- No, you can host directly from your own save as a simpler option, though a dedicated server stays online even when the host isn't playing.
- How many players can join a Palworld server?
- The default player cap is modest but can be raised in server settings up to a much higher limit for dedicated servers with enough resources.
- Can friends keep their own Pals when joining your world?
- Yes, each player maintains their own captured Pals and inventory while playing together in the same shared world.
Go deeper
Full reference page for this topic, kept in sync with the game data.
How do you play co-op with friends in Palworld? →