How to Host a Minecraft Server Without Port Forwarding

You want to play Minecraft with friends. You're running a server on your PC. The problem: your friends can't connect because your computer is behind a router and firewall.

The usual advice is "set up port forwarding." That means logging into your router, finding the NAT settings, creating forwarding rules, hoping your ISP gives you a public IP, and praying nothing breaks when your IP changes.

There's a much easier way.

What you need

• A Minecraft server running on your PC (Java Edition, default port 25565)
• Localport CLI installed (30-second install)
• A free Localport account (sign up here)

Step 1: Start your Minecraft server

If you haven't already, download and run the Minecraft server:

java -Xmx2G -Xms1G -jar server.jar nogui

Make sure it's running and you can connect locally at localhost:25565.

Step 2: Start the tunnel

Open a new terminal window (keep the Minecraft server running) and run:

localport tunnel --token YOUR_TOKEN --local localhost:25565 --protocol tcp

You'll see:

Tunnel established. Forwarding:
  tcp → tcp://abc123.tunnel.localport.dev:47266

Step 3: Share with friends

Send your friends the address: abc123.tunnel.localport.dev:47266

They add it as a server in Minecraft:

1. Multiplayer → Add Server

2. Server Address: abc123.tunnel.localport.dev:47266

3. Done → Join

That's it. No port forwarding, no router changes, no static IP.

Tips for a smooth experience

• Reserved ports (Pro plan) keep the same port across sessions, so you don't need to share a new address every time you restart.
• Latency is minimal — Localport adds single-digit milliseconds, negligible for Minecraft.
• Works behind any network — University dorms, corporate WiFi, mobile hotspots, ISPs with CGNAT. If you can browse the web, Localport works.

Works for other games too