How to Play with a Friend in Hytale — Complete Guide
Many players want to play Hytale with friends in the same world without setting up a separate server or renting hosting. The developers have provided a built-in system to connect to a friend's world — it works directly but has its nuances. Below we explain how to connect to a friend in a Hytale world, what is needed, and alternatives if the connection doesn’t work.
What You Need to Play with Friends in the Same Hytale World
To play together without a dedicated server, you will need:
- Hytale installed for all players
- Internet without strict restrictions (NAT, CGNAT may interfere)
- Access to router settings (recommended)
- Trust between players — the connection code contains network data
It’s important to understand: this is not a server, but a direct “player ↔ player” connection. The world works while the host is online.
How to Open a Hytale World for Friends (Without a Server)
If you want to open a Hytale server for friends directly from your single-player world:
- Enter your single-player world
- Press ESC → Online Play
- Enable Allow Other Players to Join
- Optionally set a password
- Save your settings
After that, the game will try to automatically configure the connection through your router. If successful — a connection code will appear.
⚠️ Never share this code publicly.
It contains your IP address.
How to Connect to a Friend's Hytale World
To join a friend’s world:
- Open the main menu in Hytale
- Go to the Servers section
- Select Join via Code
- Paste the code your friend gave you
- Enter the password (if any)
- Click Connect
The game will automatically try different connection options and connect if the network allows.
Why a Friend Cannot Connect — Common Issues
If the connection doesn’t work, the cause is almost always network-related.
Main Issues:
- UPnP disabled on the router
- Provider uses CGNAT (shared IP)
- Firewall or antivirus blocks the game
- Double router (Double NAT)
- Provider restricts game ports
In such cases, built-in connection may not work at all, and that’s normal — the problem is not with Hytale.
Best Solution if Connection Doesn’t Work
Option 1 — Let Your Friend Host
Sometimes it’s easier if the person with the “cleaner” network hosts the world.
You can simply transfer the world folder — it’s just a regular save folder.
Option 2 — Tailscale (Recommended)
Tailscale creates a secure P2P connection and bypasses all NAT restrictions.
How to use it:
- Install Tailscale for both players
- Log into your account
- Enable the connection
- Save Online Play in Hytale again
After that, the connection code will almost always work.
When to Open a Full Hytale Server
If you play frequently, have more than 2–3 players, or need a persistent world — a dedicated server is better in every way:
- Runs 24/7
- Doesn’t depend on a player’s internet
- Better performance
- Accessible at any time
👉 In this case, it’s worth choosing Hytale servers from a verified list
👉 Or check the Hytale server monitoring to find active projects and communities
(links can be inserted here to the site sections:
“Hytale servers” and “Hytale server monitoring”)
Conclusion — How to Best Play with a Friend in Hytale
Short and simple:
✔️ For a quick two-player game — built-in connection
✔️ If it doesn’t work — Tailscale
✔️ For stable group play — dedicated server
❌ Trying to “fix” CGNAT is pointless
Hytale is still evolving, and the connection system isn’t perfect yet. But ways to play with friends already exist, and with the right approach, everything works reliably.
