[MCPE-8338] Wi-Fi is Needed to Play on Multiplayer Created: 25/Apr/15  Updated: 19/Jul/22  Resolved: 10/Jun/16

Status: Resolved
Project: Minecraft (Bedrock codebase)
Component/s: None
Affects Version/s: 0.11.0 Beta 4, 0.11.0 Beta 5, 0.11.0 Beta 8, 0.14.0
Fix Version/s: None

Type: Bug
Reporter: Mark Tan
Resolution: Works As Intended Votes: 1
Labels: hotspot, lan, mobile, multiplayer, wifi

Issue Links:
Duplicate
is duplicated by MCPE-8358 Wi-Fi needed for MP Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-12266 Can not join server using mobile data Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-13255 Can't play on server in 4g on Android Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-13440 Can not connect to server with 3G on ... Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-13626 4g lte server Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-15283 Offline LAN not working with friends Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-15367 Router Servers Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-15401 Can no longer connect Mobile devices ... Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-15671 Lan Games Buggy Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-15688 Wifi play/Lan play/hotspot play Resolved
is duplicated by MCPE-15783 Can't join servers over cellular conn... Resolved
Confirmation Status: Unconfirmed
Platform: Phone - Android - Samsung Galaxy Ace

 Description   

You need Wi-Fi to play on Multiplayer, unlike 0.10.x where you can use Mobile Data to connect and play Multiplayer.



 Comments   
Comment by inxomnyaa [ 27/Jun/16 ]

Resolved. They added a switch in the settings in version 0.15.1.2

Comment by Laura Scarisbrick [ 20/Jun/16 ]

This new policy is bad. We would always play in the car with my kids by creating a mobile hotspot with mobile data disabled – so just a portable local wifi network. It still works for the ones connecting to it, because they are "connected to wifi", but not for the one hosting the wifi network because android disables wifi to create hotspot. Makes no sense. So we have one fewer device to play on with this update and essentially need a dedicated device just to host the network.

If you want to protect people, maybe add a setting to override this "protection" with some disclaimer about possible expensive data usage if you stay connected to mobile data.

Comment by Nicole Bielby [ 14/Jun/16 ]

I'm still using data. Just as a hotspot for two devices. Alot of people have unlimited data plans. I'm not trying to play multiplayer in Realms. I'm just trying to connect two devices in the same room. What is the difference between mobile hotspot as a wifi connection and using normal data. I barely use data for MCPE. Unless you plan to make regular gameplay suck alot of data. I feel you will lose a lot of people playing on MCPE. It's a nice game to play while traveling. But useless if you don't have wifi in your car.

Comment by inxomnyaa [ 11/Jun/16 ]

Why even that? As example, iPhone has options in the settings to disable celluar internet for set Apps. Instead of making MCPE blocking it, please enable it again and let the user decide.

Comment by gatharian [ 10/Jun/16 ]

This issue works as intended Multiplayer is now restricted to wifi only to prevent huge bills on metered networks. For more information see the change log for build 2
https://feedback.minecraft.net/knowledgebase/articles/907677-mcpe-android-beta-0-15-build-2

Comment by Katten [ 03/Apr/16 ]

It's only been reported on Android devices heretofore, yes, with a possible exception being a rather ambiguous report pertaining to the Fire OS.

Comment by kaleb418 [ 03/Apr/16 ]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this bug seems to be limited to non-iOS devices.

Comment by kaleb418 [ 03/Apr/16 ]

@Katten MCPE 0.14.0, iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3

Comment by Katten [ 03/Apr/16 ]

@kaleb418 which operating system is your device running?

Comment by kaleb418 [ 03/Apr/16 ]

I can also confirm that cellular data works.

Comment by Katten [ 03/Apr/16 ]

I can confirm that cellular data is sufficient for external multiplayer on iOS.

Comment by inxomnyaa [ 19/Feb/16 ]

@Davide Garberi i can only do this with jailbreak and 3G Unrestrictor.

@AMAN4700 but actually.. why would you disallow celluar data connections in this app? I ran it in 3G and EDGE since 03.12.2015:
I only used up 179 MB! Also, you do not lag on a server. The gameplay feeling is still the same. Is it because there are no official servers except LAN play?

If so.. the fact that alot more players would play MCPE if they could play it via cellular data should be enough to change it!
When you read in the App Store and Google Play, more than 50% players complain about that! Quote: "This app is useless! I can't even play it when not at home because i am not connected to wifi! Isn't that just saying: 'Hey, this is Pocket Edition, but you can't play it on your Pocket device!'?"

Comment by Davide Garberi [ 07/Feb/16 ]

on ios you can go to the server without wifi

Comment by AMAN4700 [ 22/Jun/15 ]

You were never able to use a data connection. You are required to be connected to wifi.

Generated at Sat Jan 11 14:40:06 UTC 2025 using Jira 9.12.2#9120002-sha1:301bf498dd45d800842af0b84230f1bb58606c13.