# How to Join Your Aloft Dedicated Server (/docs/aloft/join-server)















import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Aloft uses **Friend Codes** as the primary connection method. The server browser works but is slow to update.

<Tabs items={['Friend Code (Recommended)', 'Server Browser']}>
  <Tab value="Friend Code (Recommended)">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Get the room code [#get-the-room-code]

        In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), click **Files** and open `ServerRoomCode.txt`. Copy the code inside.

                <img alt="File Manager showing ServerRoomCode.txt" src={__img0} placeholder="blur" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Open Multiplayer [#open-multiplayer]

        Launch Aloft and click **Multiplayer** from the main menu.

                <img alt="Aloft main menu" src={__img1} placeholder="blur" />

        Click **Join Game**.

                <img alt="Multiplayer menu" src={__img2} placeholder="blur" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Enter the code [#enter-the-code]

        Paste the code in the **Enter Friend Code** field (top right) and click **Join Game**.

                <img alt="Join World with friend code entry" src={__img3} placeholder="blur" />
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    > The Friend Code changes on every server restart. Share the new code with your players each time.
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Server Browser">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Join Game [#open-join-game]

        Launch Aloft → **Multiplayer** → **Join Game**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Search for your server [#search-for-your-server]

        Select your region and look for your server in the list.

                <img alt="Server browser with server list" src={__img4} placeholder="blur" />

        Click **Join Game** next to your server.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    > New or restarted servers can take **15–30 minutes** to appear in the browser. The Friend Code method is instant.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Game Code Dialog [#game-code-dialog]

When joining via code, you'll see the confirmation dialog:

<img alt="Game code entry dialog" src={__img5} placeholder="blur" />

Crossplay (Xbox) [#crossplay-xbox]

Aloft supports PC and Xbox crossplay. Xbox players join through the same in-game server browser — no extra config needed.

Troubleshooting [#troubleshooting]

| Issue                   | Fix                                                                      |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Friend Code not working | Get the latest code from `ServerRoomCode.txt` — changes on every restart |
| Server not in browser   | Wait 15–30 minutes after startup. Use Friend Code instead                |
| Can't connect           | Verify server is running. Check ports in **Network** tab                 |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Room Code](/docs/aloft/room-code)
* [Server Settings](/docs/aloft/server-settings)
* [Server Visibility](/docs/aloft/server-visibility)
* [Troubleshooting](/docs/aloft/troubleshooting)