Always Online
Minecraft has always been about building together, but the classic LAN world feature has a frustrating limitation: it only works when everyone is sitting in the same room. The Always Online mod changes that completely. It creates a secure bridge between your single-player world and your friends, no matter where they are in the world. If you have ever wanted to share your world without exposing your IP address or wrestling with port forwarding, this add-on is exactly what you need.
What Does Always Online Do?
Think of it as a smarter, safer version of the "Open to LAN" button. When you enable Always Online, your client connects to a central host server. This server acts like a directory. It stores a tiny list of active worlds and their owners. When a friend wants to join, they ask the host server for your world, and the connection is routed through that bridge. Your IP address stays hidden, which is a huge win for privacy.
The mod is built in two parts:
- Client side: You add this mod to your modpack and edit a simple config file to point to your host server.
- Host server side: This can be a standalone jar file or a plugin on an existing Minecraft server. It keeps everything in RAM, so there is no disk storage or heavy overhead.
Security First: Passwords and Privacy
Because the host server knows about your world, there is a potential security risk. That is why Always Online lets you set a password. Only players who know the password can join your world. This means you can share your world with a trusted group without worrying about random strangers finding your game. The host server only holds kilobytes of data, so it is lightning fast and lightweight.
Supported Versions and Loaders
Always Online was designed for the latest Minecraft version available at the time of its release, and it requires the Hammer Core library to function. You will need to install both mods into your mods folder. The project is archived, meaning it is no longer actively updated, but it still works for players on those specific versions. It is primarily built for the Forge loader, so make sure your modpack uses Forge before you try to install it.
If you are looking for a hassle-free way to manage your mods, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for many popular add-ons, and you can find Always Online in its catalog with version compatibility checks built in. This saves you from manually hunting down the correct files and ensures you get the right build for your Minecraft setup.
How to Install Always Online for Minecraft
Getting started is straightforward, but you need to follow the steps carefully. Here is a simple guide on how to install it:
- Download the Always Online mod jar and the Hammer Core dependency from the official CurseForge page.
- Place both jar files into your
modsfolder inside your Minecraft directory. - Launch Minecraft once to generate the config file, then close the game.
- Open
config/alwaysonline.cfgand enter the IP address and port of your chosen host server. - Start the game again. Your client is now configured to announce your world to that host.
For the host server side, you have two choices. You can either run the standalone jar on any machine, or you can place the plugin version on a hosted Minecraft server. Both options require zero storage because everything runs in memory.
Finding a Host Server
You can run your own host server, but the mod also had a default public host provided by the SpaceNet community. That made it even easier to get started. If you prefer total control, hosting your own server is simple and gives you the ability to set a custom port. Just remember that all clients need to know the same host address to find each other.
Configuration Tips and Q&A
Many players ask how the host server actually works. Here is a quick breakdown:
- What is a host server? It is a bridge that stores information about running worlds and their owners. It does not store world data, only tiny connection details.
- How do I configure clients? Edit the
alwaysonline.cfgfile and set the IP and port of the host server. That is all. - Can I set a password? Yes, the mod supports passwords to protect your world from unauthorized access.
If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, you can also benefit from its auto-update feature, which keeps your installed mods like Always Online current and compatible with your chosen loader. This is especially handy since the mod is archived and you want to avoid accidentally breaking your setup.
Final Thoughts
Always Online solves a real problem for modpack creators and friends who want to play together without the headache of port forwarding or exposing their home network. While the project is archived and no longer receives updates, it remains a reliable tool for the Minecraft versions it supports. The password feature gives you peace of mind, and the lightweight host server means you can run it on almost any machine.
If you want to bring your friends into your world securely, give this mod a try. Just remember to download Always Online from the official source, install Hammer Core, and configure your host address. With a little setup, you will have a private, always-online world that your friends can join anytime.