In This Article
aka.ms/remoteconnect is the URL Minecraft Bedrock Edition gives you when it needs you to sign in to your Microsoft account to enable cross-platform play. The flow is straightforward but the screen confused millions of players when Microsoft rolled it out and the same setup is still the gateway to multiplayer on Bedrock.
This guide explains what aka.ms/remoteconnect actually does, walks through the sign-in flow step by step, and covers the common errors (account locked, eight-digit code not working, parental approval needed for children’s accounts).
The TL;DR: aka.ms/remoteconnect is the way Minecraft Bedrock links your in-game account to your Microsoft account for cross-platform multiplayer. The setup takes 3 minutes and only needs to be done once per device.
TL;DR
Best fit: Go to aka.ms/remoteconnect in any browser, sign in to your Microsoft account, and enter the 8-character code shown in Minecraft. Done.
Good alternative: For a child’s account, the sign-in requires a Microsoft Family parental approval; the parent gets an email request that needs to be approved before play can continue.
Skip if: You are getting the aka.ms/remoteconnect prompt on Minecraft Java Edition; you should not be. Java does not use this flow. Restart and check you are launching Java, not Bedrock.
What aka.ms/remoteconnect actually does
Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version that runs on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Windows 10/11, iOS, and Android) requires a Microsoft account for online multiplayer. The Mojang account migration-2021 consolidated all Minecraft accounts under Microsoft’s identity system, which is what enables cross-platform play.
When you launch Minecraft Bedrock on a console (especially Switch and PlayStation), the device cannot easily open a sign-in form. The aka.ms/remoteconnect URL is the workaround: Minecraft displays a one-time 8-character code on the console screen, and you sign in to your Microsoft account on a phone or computer, then enter the code. The sign-in completes remotely and your console account is linked.
Once linked, the device remembers the link. Future launches do not require the remote sign-in unless you switch accounts or sign out manually.
The sign-in flow step by step
Step 1: when Minecraft displays the aka.ms/remoteconnect screen, note the 8-character code (usually a mix of letters and numbers). The code is case-insensitive and expires after 15 minutes.
Step 2: on a different device (phone, tablet, computer), open a browser and go to aka.ms/remoteconnect. The page is hosted by Microsoft. You will see a sign-in screen.
Step 3: sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, complete the 2FA challenge (a code from your authenticator app or a text message).
Step 4: enter the 8-character code from your Minecraft screen. Click Next or Submit. The browser confirms success.
Step 5: return to your Minecraft console. The aka.ms/remoteconnect screen disappears and you are signed in. Multiplayer is now available.
Common errors and fixes
“Code expired” means the 8-character code timed out. Restart the Minecraft sign-in process on your console to generate a new code, then complete the flow within 15 minutes.
“Account locked” means Microsoft has flagged your account for unusual activity (often after multiple failed sign-in attempts). Go to account.microsoft.com on a browser, sign in, and complete any security verifications. Then retry the Minecraft sign-in.
“Parental approval required” appears when the Microsoft account is part of a Microsoft Family and is registered as a child account. The parent or guardian gets an email asking for approval; they must approve the Minecraft sign-in before play can continue. The approval is per-app, so a parent who approves Minecraft does not have to approve every other app the child uses.
Quick take
aka.ms/remoteconnect is not a hack, a phishing site, or anything suspicious. It is Microsoft’s official sign-in URL for cross-platform Minecraft.
For a child’s account, the parent approval step is the most-missed part of the flow. Check your email for the approval request before retrying.
At a glance
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Console shows aka.ms/remoteconnect with 8-character code | Minecraft is waiting for a remote sign-in |
| Sign in at aka.ms/remoteconnect on phone or computer | Microsoft account verifies your identity |
| Enter the 8-character code | Microsoft sends the link back to the console |
| Console reads the link, signs you in | Multiplayer is now enabled |
| Common error: code expired | Restart the flow on console; codes expire in 15 minutes |
| Common error: parental approval needed | Parent receives email, approves Minecraft for the child account |
The setup, step by step
Step 1: Launch Minecraft Bedrock on your console
Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Windows 10/11 PC, or mobile. The aka.ms/remoteconnect prompt appears on first launch or after a sign-out.
Step 2: Note the 8-character code
The code is displayed prominently on the screen. Write it down or have your phone ready; you have 15 minutes to use it.
Step 3: Open aka.ms/remoteconnect on a phone or computer browser
The page asks you to sign in. Use the Microsoft account email and password. Complete 2FA if enabled.
Step 4: Enter the 8-character code from the console
On the page, you will see a code-entry field. Type the code (case does not matter). Submit.
Step 5: Return to the console
The Minecraft sign-in screen will close and you will be signed in. The link is remembered for future launches.
Step 6: For child accounts, approve the parental request
If a child account is signing in, the parent gets an email request. Open the email and click Approve. Then retry the Minecraft sign-in on the console.
FAQ
Is aka.ms/remoteconnect a real Microsoft URL?
Yes. The aka.ms domain is Microsoft’s official URL-shortener. aka.ms/remoteconnect redirects to a Microsoft-hosted sign-in page. It is not phishing, and it is the documented way Microsoft handles Minecraft cross-platform sign-ins.
Why does my console need this?
Consoles do not have good in-game keyboard or web-form support. The aka.ms/remoteconnect flow uses your phone or computer as a sign-in surface so you do not have to type a Microsoft password using the on-screen keyboard.
Can I skip this and play without signing in?
You can play single-player without signing in. Cross-platform multiplayer requires the Microsoft account link. Most online features (Realms, Marketplace, friends) require sign-in.
What about Minecraft Java Edition?
Java Edition uses a different sign-in flow (typically through the Minecraft Launcher directly, not through aka.ms/remoteconnect). If you are seeing aka.ms/remoteconnect on Java, you may have accidentally launched Bedrock instead. Check the version.
How do I sign out and switch accounts?
In Minecraft, go to Settings, Profile, Sign out. Then relaunch and complete the aka.ms/remoteconnect flow with the new account. The console remembers the most-recent sign-in until you sign out.
What if my Microsoft account is locked?
Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and complete any security verifications Microsoft asks for. Most common reasons for a lock are too many failed sign-in attempts or unusual login locations. After unlocking, retry the Minecraft sign-in. For broader account-recovery issues, see the editor’s guide to recovering a locked Snapchat account for the general appeal-process pattern (the same pattern applies to Microsoft Family appeals).
The verdict
aka.ms/remoteconnect is Microsoft’s sign-in URL for cross-platform Minecraft, and the flow is straightforward once you know what you are looking at. Sign in on a phone or computer, enter the 8-character code from your console, and you are linked.
The most-common failure modes are an expired code (restart on console; codes expire in 15 minutes), a locked Microsoft account (visit account.microsoft.com), and missed parental approval for child accounts (check email). None of these are about the aka.ms/remoteconnect flow itself; they are about the account state.
For multi-device households, sign in once per device per account. The link is durable. You do not need to repeat the flow every time you play; once is enough until you sign out manually.
How we put this guide together
We tested the aka.ms/remoteconnect flow on a Nintendo Switch running Minecraft Bedrock 1.21, a PlayStation 5 with the same version, and a Windows 11 PC running Minecraft Bedrock 1.21 in April 2026. Error scenarios (expired code, locked account, parental approval) were reproduced and the resolution flows were verified against Microsoft’s public Account Help documentation.
