Multiplayer in Raft on Android: how to play online with friends

Mobile ports of popular computer games often become a real salvation for gamers who want to pass the time on the road or simply do not have access to a PC. Raft is one of the brightest representatives of the survival genre, which has won the hearts of millions of players thanks to its atmosphere of survival in the open ocean. However, many users encounter difficulties when trying to launch a cooperative game on smartphones running Android.

The main difficulty is that there is no official mobile version of the game, and we are talking about fan ports or emulation. This imposes certain restrictions on network capabilities. However, with the correct setup of the device and understanding of the principles of operation of local networks, it is quite possible to organize swimming together.

In this article we will analyze in detail the technical aspects of the connection, the necessary settings of the router and game client, and also answer the most common questions that arise from players. Get ready for adventure, because your raft is waiting for new discoveries.

Preparing the device and selecting the game version

The first and most critical stage is choosing the right version of the game client. Since you are using an operating system Android, you need to find a stable build that supports networking code. Most "lite" versions have cut out the multiplayer functionality to save resources.

Make sure your device has sufficient performance. Emulating a multiplayer session requires significant computing power to synchronize water physics, object positions and actions of other players in real time.

• 📱 Check the availability of free space: installing the full version with resources will require at least 2-3 GB.
• ⚡ Make sure the battery is charged at least 50%, as network activity quickly consumes energy.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network, mobile data (4G/5G) can cause severe delays (ping).

It is also important to pay attention to the version of the operating system. For correct operation of network protocols, version Android 8.0 and higher is desirable. On older versions, conflicts with Wi-Fi module drivers may occur.

⚠️ Attention: Download the game only from trusted sources. Modified APK files from unverified forums may contain malicious code that steals your personal data.

Setting up a local Wi-Fi network for the game

In order for devices to see each other, they must be on the same subnet. This is a basic rule of computer networking that is often ignored by newbies. The most reliable way is to connect all phones to one Wi-Fi router.

If you do not have access to a home router, you can use the “Hotspot” function on one of your smartphones. In this case, the device distributing the Internet will act as a host or server. The remaining participants must connect to this access point.

It is important to disable the “Client Isolation” function (AP Isolation) in the router settings, if it is active. This feature prevents devices connected to Wi-Fi from communicating with each other, making it impossible to create a local game.

Check the IP addresses of the devices. They should differ only in the last digit. For example, if the host has an address 192.168.1.5, then the client should have it like 192.168.1.X, where X is any number from 2 to 254.

The process of creating a server and connecting

After successfully setting up the network, you can proceed to launching the game. The interface may differ slightly depending on the assembly, but the logic of actions remains the same for all versions Raft. First, one player must create a world.

In the main menu, select a game mode. Typically the options available are "Survival" and "Creative". For the first time, it is recommended to select the creative mode in order to test the connection without the risk of the character dying from sharks or starvation.

When creating a world, pay attention to the visibility settings. The "Friends Only" option may not work correctly on mobile ports, so it is better to select "Public" or "LAN" (Local Network), if such an option is available.

Menu → New Game → Settings → Multiplayer: ON → Create World

After loading the world, the host must inform other players of his IP address or server name, which is displayed in the list. The remaining participants go to the "Join Game" section and wait for the created room to appear in the list of available servers.

Player role	Action in the menu	Required data
Host (Creator)	Create World	Customize the world name and password
Client (Player)	Join Game	Host IP address or server name
All participants	Settings	Same version of the game

Using virtual networks (Hamachi and analogues)

What if you want to play with friends who are physically located in another city or house? In this case, creating a local network is impossible without using special software to emulate a LAN over the Internet.

The most popular solution is the application Hamachi or its analogues, such as Radmin VPN. These apps create a virtual network adapter on your device, allowing you to trick the game into thinking that all players are in the same room.

The setup process goes like this: All participants install the application, one creates a new network, and the rest connect to it by entering a given password. After a successful connection, the application will display the IP addresses of all participants.

⚠️ Attention: When using virtual networks, the ping (latency) will be significantly higher than when playing over local Wi-Fi. This can lead to "lag" and desynchronization of player actions.

To enter data into the game, you will need to use the IP address issued by the app (usually starts with 25.x.x.x for Hamachi), and not your real Wi-Fi address. Enter this address in the client connection field.

Problems with connecting via Hamachi

If the game does not see the server, try temporarily disabling the antivirus and firewall on all devices. They often block incoming connections from virtual adapters. Also make sure that "Peer-to-Peer" mode is enabled in Hamachi settings.

Solving common connection problems

Even if you follow all the instructions, users may encounter connection errors. The most common problem is "Connection Timed Out" or an endless search for a server. This is often due to firewall settings or version incompatibility.

Make sure that the absolutely identical version of the game is installed on all devices. A difference of even one minor version number (for example, 1.04 and 1.05) can lead to the fact that the data exchange protocols cannot “agree” with each other.

It is also worth checking the date and time settings on smartphones. If the clock on one device is slow or fast relative to the others, the connection's security certificates may not be verified and the network will be disconnected.

• 🔄 Reboot the router and all smartphones before trying to connect again.
• 📂 Clear the game cache through the Android settings: Settings → Applications → Raft → Memory → Clear cache.
• 🔒 Disable VPN services, if they are active, they can change the traffic route and interfere with the local connection.

If all else fails, try creating a world with a password. Sometimes this forcibly activates certain network protocols, which in open mode can be disabled by an error in the port code.

Optimizing performance in multiplayer

Playing online creates an additional load on processor and RAM of the smartphone. The device must not only render graphics, but also constantly process data packets about the position of other players, the state of the raft and inventory.

To ensure smooth gameplay, it is recommended to lower the graphics settings. First of all, reduce the Draw Distance and turn off shadows. This will significantly increase FPS (frames per second).

Close all background applications before starting Raft. Browsers, instant messengers and social networks consume RAM, which is critical for stable operation of the game engine in multiplayer mode.

Monitor the heating of the device. During a long session, the phone may begin to throttle (reduce the processor frequency), which will lead to sharp drops in performance. Remove the case or use external cooling if you play for a long time.

⚠️ Attention: Game interfaces and network protocols can be updated by developers. If the methods described above no longer work, check the current requirements in the official community or the description of the specific build you are using.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to play Raft on Android with PC players?

No, it is not possible. The mobile version (even if it is a port) and the PC version use different network protocols and architectures. Cross-platform mode in Raft is not officially supported.

Why am I being kicked out of the game after 5 minutes?

Most likely the problem is an unstable Wi-Fi connection or overheating of the device. This may also be a sign of an unlicensed build that has built-in session time limits.

How to transfer items to a friend in the game?

To transfer items you need to come close to your friend and press the interaction button (usually the hand or square icon). If items are not transferred, check if the other person's inventory is full.

Do you need the Internet to play over a local network?

No, to play over a local area network (LAN), access to the global Internet is not required. It is enough that all devices are connected to one router, even if the router is not connected to the provider.

Where can I download a safe version of Raft for Android?

There is no official version for Android. Any version found is a fan port. Be extremely careful and scan files with an antivirus before installation.