How to Host a Hytale Server: The Ultimate 2026 Guide

With the release of Hytale, thousands of players are looking to create their own communities. While joining public servers is fun, hosting your own private server gives you ultimate freedom.

Below is a complete guide on how to set up a dedicated Hytale server, from hardware requirements to port forwarding.

Benefits of a Private Hytale Server

Why should you go through the effort of hosting your own server?

• Total Control: You decide the rules, the ban lists, and the map seeds.
• Custom Modding: Install custom scripts and modify server.properties to tailor the gameplay exactly to your liking.
• Performance: A private dedicated server often offers better latency (ping) for you and your friends compared to crowded public lobbies.

Hytale Hosting Methods: Which is right for you?

There are three main ways to play Hytale with friends. Choose the one that fits your technical skills:

In-Game Peer-toPeer (P2P)

Hytale has a feature allowing you to share a code with your friends allowing them to join. This hosting method is best for 2-5 friends, is not persistent and can be quite buggy as it's still a beta feature. You'd require a UPnP setup.

• Best for: 2-5 friends, quick sessions.
• Pros: Free, no file setup required.
• Cons: The host must be online for others to play; requires UPnP enabled; currently in Beta and can be unstable.

Managed Hytale Hosting (Paid)

You can always rent a managed server. This might not be free, but is the easiest and best for beginners, has a 24/7 (or almost 24/7) uptime and supports easy mod installation and other quality of life features that you won't find when doing things yourselves.

• Best for: Beginners, communities requiring 24/7 uptime.
• Pros: Instant setup, one-click mod installation, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support.
• Cons: Monthly cost.

Self-Hosted Dedicated Server (VPS/Home PC)

This might be the hardest, but also the most fulfilling method. Self-hosting means you're hosting the server seperate from the game on your own machine, port-forwarding your ports and allowing your friends (or strangers) to join your server.

• Best for: Tech-savvy users, developers, and those wanting full root access.
• Pros: Free (if hosted on your own PC), complete control over files and backups.
• Cons: Requires technical knowledge (CLI, Port Forwarding). This guide focuses on this method.

Hytale Server Hardware Requirements (2026 Specs)

Before installing, ensure your machine meets the recommended specifications to run the HytaleServer.jar smoothly.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Self-Host Hytale

Follow these steps to get your server running on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Step 1: Locate Your Server Files

Unlike other games, Hytale includes the server files with the base game installation. You do not need to download a separate tool or file.

You need to locate two specific items: the Server folder and the Assets.zip archive.

Default File Paths

• Windows: %appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest
• Linux: $XDG_DATA_HOME/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest
• MacOS: ~/Application Support/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest

Setup:

1. Create a new folder on your Desktop or Documents named Hytale Server.
2. Copy the contents of the Server folder to your new Hytale Server folder.
3. Copy Assets.zip into the same new folder.

Step 2: Create the Start Script

You need a script to launch Java with the correct memory arguments.

For Windows

1. Create a new text file inside your server folder named start.bat.
2. Right-click and "Edit" to paste the following code:

java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

(Note: -Xmx4G allocates 4GB of RAM. Adjust this based on your system specs)

3. Save the file. Double-click start.bat to run your server.

For MacOS

1. Open TextEdit and create a new file named start.sh inside your server folder.
2. Convert the file to "Make Plain Text" (Format > Make Plain Text).
3. Paste the following:

#!/bin/sh
java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

4. Open Terminal, type chmod +x (with a space), drag your start.sh file into the window, and press Enter to make it executable.

For Linux

1. Navigate to your server directory:

cd /path/to/your/hytale/server

2. Create the script using Nano:

nano start.sh

3. Paste the startup arguments:

#!/bin/sh
java -Xmx4G -Xms2G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

4. Save (Ctrl+X -> Y -> Enter) and make it executable:

chmod +x start.sh

Server Authentication (Required)

When you first run the server, it is not yet linked to an account. Hytale requires the host to have a valid game license.

1. Check your server console/terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

auth login web

3. A browser window will open (or a URL will appear in the console).
4. Login using your Hytale account.
5. Watch the console: you should see a "Successfully Authenticated" message.

Step 4: Joining

Joining is different for you or your friends.

Joining Locally (You):

1. Open Hytale and go to Servers.
2. Click Add Server.
3. Enter IP: 127.0.0.1:5520 (or localhost:5520).
4. Name it "Local Test" and connect.

Letting your friends join your server

For friends to join outside your house, you must Port Forward.

1. Log into your router admin panel.
2. Forward TCP and UDP port 5520 to your computer's local IP address.
3. Find your Public IPv4 via a site like WhatIsMyIP.com.
4. Send your friends your Public IP (e.g., 123.45.67.89:5520).

Ready to grow your community?

Now that your server is online, it's time to build! If you're looking to grow your community. Feel free to create an account on our website and add your server to our server lists!