Running a Minecraft server on macOS is simpler than most people think, but Apple’s ecosystem throws a few curveballs that can trip up even experienced server admins. The good news? Once you nail the initial setup, your Mac makes a surprisingly capable hosting machine for small to medium-sized servers.
Quick Answer: Setting Up Minecraft Server on macOS
To run a Minecraft server on macOS, you need Java installed, the official server.jar file from Mojang, and about 15 minutes. Download the server file, create a startup script, allocate RAM through Terminal commands, and configure your network settings. The process works identically on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, though M1/M2 chips require Rosetta 2 for Java compatibility.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. Your Mac needs to meet some minimum requirements, and you’ll need a few pieces of software ready to go.
System Requirements
Any Mac from 2015 or newer will handle a basic Minecraft server, but here’s what you’re looking at for different player counts:
- 1-5 players: 4GB RAM minimum, 8GB recommended
- 5-10 players: 8GB RAM minimum, 16GB recommended
- 10+ players: 16GB+ RAM and consider dedicated hosting instead
Storage isn’t usually a problem—the server files start around 200MB and grow based on world size and player activity. Budget at least 5GB of free space to be safe.
Java Installation
Minecraft servers run on Java, and macOS doesn’t include it by default anymore. You need Java 17 or newer for Minecraft 1.18 and above, or Java 8 for older versions.
Download the appropriate Java Development Kit (JDK) from Oracle or use Homebrew if you’re comfortable with package managers. Open Terminal and type java -version to verify installation. If you see version information, you’re good to go. If you get command errors, troubleshoot your Java installation before proceeding.
Downloading the Minecraft Server Files
Head to the official Minecraft website and grab the server.jar file. Don’t use random download sites—stick with Mojang’s official server download page to avoid modified or malicious files.
Create a dedicated folder for your server. I recommend something like ~/MinecraftServer in your home directory. Drop the server.jar file into this folder. This keeps everything organized and makes troubleshooting easier later.
Initial Server Configuration
Now comes the fun part. Open Terminal (it’s in Applications > Utilities) and navigate to your server folder:
cd ~/MinecraftServer
First Launch and EULA Agreement
Run this command to start the server for the first time:
java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui
The server will immediately stop and create a file called eula.txt. You need to agree to Minecraft’s End User License Agreement. Open eula.txt with TextEdit, change eula=false to eula=true, and save it.
Memory Allocation
The -Xmx and -Xms flags control RAM allocation. The command above allocates 1GB, which barely works for 2-3 players. Bump these numbers based on your needs:
- 2GB:
-Xmx2G -Xms2G - 4GB:
-Xmx4G -Xms4G - 8GB:
-Xmx8G -Xms8G
Don’t allocate all your Mac’s RAM—leave at least 4GB for macOS itself or your system will crawl.
Creating a Startup Script
Typing that Java command every time gets old fast. Create a simple startup script instead.
Open TextEdit, paste your Java command, and save the file as start.command in your server folder. Then make it executable:
chmod +x start.command
Now you can double-click start.command to launch your server. Much cleaner.
Network Configuration and Port Forwarding
Your server runs locally at this point. Friends can’t connect unless you configure your network properly.
Finding Your Local IP
Open System Preferences > Network and note your local IP address (looks like 192.168.x.x). Players on your local network can connect using this IP.
Port Forwarding Setup
For external connections, you need to forward port 25565 (Minecraft’s default) through your router. Log into your router’s admin panel—usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1—and create a port forwarding rule pointing port 25565 to your Mac’s local IP.
Every router interface looks different, so search for “[your router model] port forwarding guide” if you get stuck. You’ll also need your public IP address (find it at whatismyip.com) to give to players.
Security note: Opening ports exposes your network to potential attacks. Use a strong server password and consider running the server only when actively playing. For serious hosting, dedicated game server hosting starting at $1/GB handles security, uptime, and performance better than home setups—plus you can grab 20% off right now.
Server Properties and Customization
The server.properties file controls everything from difficulty to world generation. Open it with TextEdit after the first successful launch.
Key settings worth changing immediately:
- max-players: Set your player limit
- difficulty: peaceful, easy, normal, or hard
- gamemode: survival, creative, adventure, or spectator
- pvp: true or false for player combat
- white-list: Enable to restrict access to approved players
Changes take effect after restarting the server. Save the file, stop the server (type “stop” in the console), and launch it again.
Performance Optimization for macOS
Macs aren’t traditionally gaming machines, but you can squeeze out better performance with a few tweaks.
Java Garbage Collection
Add these flags to your startup command for better memory management:
-XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200
Your full command might look like:
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -jar server.jar nogui
Background Process Management
Close unnecessary applications while running your server. Chrome and Safari are notorious RAM hogs. Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) shows what’s eating resources.
Apple Silicon Considerations
M1 and M2 Macs run Java through Rosetta 2 translation, which adds slight overhead. Performance is still solid, but you won’t see the full benefit of Apple’s chips. Native ARM Java exists but has compatibility issues with some Minecraft mods and plugins.
Common macOS-Specific Issues
Permission Errors
macOS security can block the server from creating files. If you see permission errors, right-click your server folder, select Get Info, and ensure you have Read & Write access under Sharing & Permissions.
Firewall Blocking
macOS Firewall might block incoming connections. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall > Firewall Options and add Java to the allowed applications list.
Sleep Mode Interruptions
Your Mac going to sleep kills the server. Prevent this in System Preferences > Energy Saver by setting “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when display is off” or use a utility like Amphetamine to keep it awake.
Alternative: Docker Container Setup
If you’re comfortable with containers, running your Minecraft server in Docker provides better isolation and easier version management. Docker Desktop works well on macOS, though it adds complexity for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a modded server on macOS?
Absolutely. Download Forge or Fabric server files instead of vanilla server.jar. The installation process is nearly identical—just replace the jar file and follow the mod loader’s specific instructions. Performance takes a bigger hit with mods, so allocate extra RAM.
How do I back up my server world?
Copy the entire server folder to an external drive or cloud storage. The “world” folder contains all your terrain and player data. Stop the server before backing up to avoid file corruption. Automate this with a simple shell script if you’re running the server regularly.
Why is my server lagging with only a few players?
Check Activity Monitor for CPU and RAM usage. If you’re maxed out, reduce render distance in server.properties (view-distance setting) or allocate more RAM. Lag also comes from chunk generation when exploring new areas—this is temporary and improves once the world loads.
Can I run multiple Minecraft servers on one Mac?
Yes, but each needs a separate folder and unique port number. Change the server-port setting in server.properties for additional servers (use 25566, 25567, etc.). Remember that each server consumes RAM, so your Mac’s capacity limits how many you can run simultaneously.
Do I need to keep Terminal open while the server runs?
Yes, closing Terminal kills the server process. If you need the server running 24/7 without keeping Terminal open, look into screen or tmux commands for persistent sessions, or consider dedicated hosting that handles uptime automatically.
When to Consider Dedicated Hosting
Running a server on your Mac works great for casual play with friends, but it has limits. Your internet upload speed caps player experience, you can’t play on the same machine without performance hits, and keeping your Mac running 24/7 isn’t practical for most people.
Once you’re past 10 regular players or want better uptime, professional hosting makes more sense. You get dedicated resources, DDoS protection, automated backups, and one-click mod installation. GameTeam.io offers Minecraft hosting from $1/GB with full control panel access—way easier than managing everything through Terminal, and you can snag 20% off for a limited time.
Your Mac-hosted server taught you the fundamentals, though. Understanding how servers work makes you a better admin regardless of where you host.
