Your Friends Don't Have Official Minecraft? How to Configure 'Offline Mode' (Non-Premium)

The 'Failed to verify username' Error: The Ultimate Solution

You've just rented your server at Mineando, you try to join with your favorite launcher and... Boom! Error: "Failed to verify username" or "Bad Login".

This happens because, by default, all professional servers are configured in "Online Mode" (only for original Microsoft/Mojang accounts). But we know that in many friend groups, there's a mix: some have bought the game and others haven't.

Here we'll show you how to open the doors to all your friends safely in 3 steps.

Step 1: The Magic Switch (online-mode)

To allow "Non-Premium" players to join, you have to change a single line in the settings:

1. Go to the Mineando Control Panel.
2. Enter "Files" > "server.properties".
3. Find the line that says online-mode=true.
4. Change it to online-mode=false.
5. Save and Restart the server.

Or even easier, disable Premium mode from the Quick Settings panel.

Done! Now anyone can join. But BE CAREFUL, you've just created a massive security hole.

Step 2: The Danger (Don't skip this!)

By disabling online mode, the server stops asking Microsoft: "Is this player who they say they are?".

This means that anyone can take your username, join the server, and since you are the Administrator (OP), they will have all your permissions. They could ban you, break everything, and steal your items.

Step 3: Protection (Install AuthMe)

To prevent identity theft, it is MANDATORY to install a registration plugin. The most famous one is AuthMeReloaded.

1. Make sure your server is running Paper.
2. Download AuthMeReloaded.jar and upload it to the plugins folder.
3. Restart the server.

Now, when you join, you'll have to type /register <password> <password> the first time, and /login <password> every time you return. This way, even if someone copies your name, they won't be able to move or break anything without your password.

Bonus: Why is everyone Steve?

In "Non-Premium" mode, official skins are disabled and everyone looks like Steve or Alex. To fix this, install the SkinsRestorer plugin. With it, you can get your original look back using the command /skin <name>.

Conclusion

At Mineando, we don't judge how you play. Our panel allows you to switch to "Non-Premium" mode in seconds so no one in your group is left out.

Just be smart about it: never activate offline mode without installing AuthMe, or your server will last less than a torch underwater.

Configure your server for everyone: Mineando Control Panel