---
title: "Palworld Multiplayer: How to Play With Friends (Co-op, Invite Codes and Dedicated Servers)"
description: "How to play Palworld with friends: 4-player co-op with an invite code, or a 32-player dedicated server by IP or community list, plus join fixes."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-multiplayer/"
category: "Palworld"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/palworld/"
published: "2026-09-28T04:25:11.247Z"
updated: "2026-09-28T04:25:11.247Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Palworld Multiplayer: How to Play With Friends (Co-op, Invite Codes and Dedicated Servers)

Palworld multiplayer works in two ways. In **co-op**, one player hosts their own world and up to three friends join with an invite code, for four players in total. On a **dedicated server**, up to 32 players share a world that stays online when everyone logs off. Both numbers come from Pocketpair's store page. Which one suits your group depends on how many of you there are, whether anyone plays on Xbox or PS5, and whether the world should keep running while the host is asleep.

This guide covers both, step by step, and ends with a troubleshooting table for when Palworld multiplayer isn't working. It's written for the current 1.0 builds (v1.0.5 at the time of writing). If you only need the platform matrix, see [Is Palworld Crossplay?](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-crossplay/).

## Co-op, dedicated server or community server?

| | Co-op (invite code) | Dedicated server (join by IP) | Community server (in-game list) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Players | 4 including the host | Up to 32 | Up to 32 |
| World runs when the host is offline | No | Yes | Yes |
| How friends join | Invite code | IP and port | Search the server name |
| Xbox, PS5 and Game Pass PC friends | Through the co-op menu | Can't type an IP | Yes, this is their route in |
| Where the save lives | The host's PC or console | The server | The server |

A community server is a dedicated server that has registered itself in the in-game list. Pocketpair's server guide says that's "no different from a dedicated server" apart from the listing, and that Xbox and PS5 players can only reach a server that's listed. Our Palworld servers start with `-publiclobby`, so every server we host is both. PC players can type the address, and console players can find it by name.

## Play co-op with an invite code

Co-op is the fastest way to play with up to three friends, and there's nothing to rent.

1. **Host:** create a world, or open an existing one's settings, and turn **Multiplayer** on in the world settings. Palworld's wiki notes that "non-hosting players will need the current Invite Code to join a multiplayer-enabled game".
2. **Host:** load the world and share the invite code the game shows you. Share the one from the current session, not a code you copied last week.
3. **Friends:** from the title screen, open the option to join a multiplayer game and enter the code.
4. Join the host's guild so you can build at the same bases. v1.0.4 (7 September 2026) fixed a bug where co-op joiners "might not correctly join the host's guild". If that happened to your group before, update and try again.

The limits come with the design. The world only exists while the host is playing, the host's connection carries everyone, and the save sits on the host's machine. When the group outgrows that, you can move the world to a server. That's covered below, and it has one catch.

## Play on a dedicated server

These steps are for a [GameServerKings Palworld server](/games/palworld/). If you're setting one up for the first time, [Setting Up Your Palworld Dedicated Server](/knowledge-base/palworld/getting-started-with-your-server/) covers the first boot.

### 1. Set the multiplayer basics in the Startup tab

Open **Startup** in the panel. Three variables decide who can get in:

| Startup variable | Writes this key in `PalWorldSettings.ini` | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Server Name | `ServerName` | What console friends search for. Make it unique |
| Server Password | `ServerPassword` | Blank means anyone can join. 1–30 characters, letters, numbers, `-` and `_` only |
| Max Players | `ServerPlayerMaxNum` | 1–32. Default 32 |

Restart the server after changing them. On every boot a small config parser copies these Startup values into `Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini` (the `WindowsServer` folder if you chose the Windows version at checkout). That has one consequence: **if you type a password or player count directly into the INI, the next boot replaces it with the Startup value.** Set these three in Startup, and use the file for everything the Startup tab doesn't show. [Palworld Dedicated Server World Settings Explained](/knowledge-base/palworld/world-settings/) covers the rest of the file.

### 2. Share the address

The **Address** at the top of your server page is the IP and port your friends need, for example `203.0.113.10:8211`. Your port may differ, because the panel assigns one per server. Nothing needs port-forwarding: that's only a job when you host at home.

### 3. How each friend joins

- **Steam and Mac:** open the server list from the title screen, type the address into the field below the server list, connect, and enter the password when prompted. Pocketpair says 1.0 improved "server password saving and restoration, as well as IP address input", so returning players don't have to type the password every time.
- **Xbox, PS5 and the Microsoft Store / Game Pass PC version:** Pocketpair groups these as the Xbox and PS5 versions, which can only join a listed community server. Have them open the **Community server** tab of the server list and search your exact server name.
- **Everyone:** the client and server must be on the same build. Our standard Palworld server checks for a game update every time it starts, so after a patch, restart the server and have everyone update their game.

### 4. Optional: turn on voice chat

Palworld 1.0 added proximity voice chat. Pocketpair's changelog says it's "only available when enabled in the world settings of a dedicated server", which means co-op worlds don't get it. Set `bEnableVoiceChat=True` in `PalWorldSettings.ini` with the server stopped, and tune the range with `VoiceChatMaxVolumeDistance` and `VoiceChatZeroVolumeDistance`. It isn't supported on the WinGDK build, so Game Pass PC players won't hear anyone.

## Moving your co-op world to the server

You don't have to start over when the group moves to a server. You upload the host's world folder to `Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/` and point the server at it. The catch is the host's character: co-op stores it under a placeholder ID, so on the server the host spawns as a new character while everyone else keeps theirs. [Managing your Palworld world and save files](/knowledge-base/palworld/managing-your-world/) walks through the upload, and [Palworld Save Tools](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-save-tools/) covers fixing the host's character with a maintained tool.

## Palworld multiplayer not working?

Pocketpair's docs cover only the self-hosting problems, like firewalls and router hairpin NAT. On a hosted server, the causes below are what's left.

| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Invite code rejected | Code from an earlier session, or the host has closed the world | Host reloads the world with Multiplayer on and shares the current code |
| Fifth friend can't join co-op | Co-op is capped at 4 including the host | Move to a dedicated server (up to 32) |
| "Server is full" below 32 players | Max Players in Startup is set lower | Raise Max Players, restart |
| Password changed in the INI but the old one still works | The Startup value overwrote it at boot | Change **Server Password** in Startup instead |
| Panel refuses the password | Spaces or symbols | Use letters, numbers, `-` or `_` (up to 30) |
| Console friend can't find the server | Searching the wrong tab or a partial name | **Community server** tab, exact server name, and check `CrossplayPlatforms` still lists their platform |
| Friend with client mods is refused | `bAllowClientMod=False` in the INI | Set it to `True`, or have them disable mods ([mod guide](/knowledge-base/palworld/installing-mods/)) |
| Everyone was kicked after a game patch | Server still on the old build | Restart the server so it updates, and update each game client |
| Settings reset to defaults after a reinstall | Reinstall writes a fresh `PalWorldSettings.ini` | The old file is kept beside it as `PalWorldSettings_<date>.ini`. Copy your values back |
| Host's co-op character missing on the server | Host ID changes on a server | Remap it with a save tool ([guide](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-save-tools/)) |
| Only one player can't connect | Their network: VPN, firewall or antivirus | Try a phone hotspot to confirm |

If none of these match, the server log in the **Console** tab usually names the problem. Send it to us in a ticket.

## Common Questions

### How many players can play Palworld multiplayer?

Four in co-op, counting the host, and up to 32 on a dedicated server. The Palworld server itself doesn't go above 32, so a larger plan won't raise that cap.

### Can my friends play when I'm offline?

Not in co-op, because the world runs on the host's machine. On a dedicated server, yes: the world keeps running 24/7 whether or not you're online.

### Is Palworld multiplayer crossplay?

Yes. Steam, Xbox, Microsoft Store / Game Pass PC, Mac and PS5 can all play together, and dedicated servers allow all of them by default. [Is Palworld Crossplay?](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-crossplay/) has the platform matrix and the cross-save limits.

### Do I need admin rights to run the server for friends?

Not to play. You do need them to kick, ban or save on demand. [Palworld Admin Commands](/knowledge-base/palworld/admin-commands/) and [Palworld Admin Password](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-admin-password/) cover logging in as admin.

## What to Read Next

- [Palworld Dedicated Server World Settings Explained](/knowledge-base/palworld/world-settings/): rates, PvP, guild size and `CrossplayPlatforms`
- [Is Palworld Crossplay?](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-crossplay/): which platforms can share a server
- [Palworld Save Tools](/knowledge-base/palworld/palworld-save-tools/): fixing the host's character after a co-op move
- [How to Install Palworld Server & Client Mods](/knowledge-base/palworld/installing-mods/): what modded players need to join

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