My wife decided to install Minecraft on our son's iPad they get to use on the weekends…but neither of us know a thing about it beyond how to spell Minecraft.

I opened it up to try and get him setup and I'm 100% lost. Is there a "Minecraft for dumb dads" resource? Ideally something geared towards younger (5-7) kids?

I run a decent sized home lab, so I'm comfortable with technology, just never got into the Minecraft scene. I have read about people hosting their own servers so they can limit access which is appealing to me, but I'm not even sure how to play the very basics.

Appreciate the help.

There's two different versions of Minecraft, Bedrock and Java.

Your son has the Bedrock version and the Apple App Store only has that version.

Java was the original platform Minecraft was built on so it was PC and Mac only. Then Microsoft bought Minecraft and created the Bedrock version to go on as many devices as possible with a tightly controlled ecosystem using Microsoft's billing platform in order to maximize profit with a metaverse for users to sell their own worlds, skins, and mods.

The Java version still stands as a testing bed for new builds and to make the fans happy. With the Java version you can DIY host your own server whether it be on a hosting service or on an old clunker or Raspberry Pi. However, it's only on Mac and PC.

Bedrock version which works on any device and cross platform to any device, there's a thing called Realms which is Microsofts hosting service for Minecraft servers. You have to pay monthly for it if you want your own server. It's limited on what it can allow but anyone with Bedrock on any device can access your son's server if invited. Java has its own version of Realms too but who would want to pay when they can DIY for free.

So yes you can get a server, but you have to pay. Can't DIY on Bedrock version. I think there are mods to host a Bedrock server, but it's complicated and at risk of breaking when a new version releases.

Sims said:

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Just delete it. Next thing you know you're gonna be up at 3AM building xp farms so you can get better enchants.

This has never happened to me.

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Username checks out.