LAN multiplayer does not work when playing offline. Multiplayer options are disabled unless the device is connected to the internet.

LAN multiplayer in Minecraft Bedrock Edition no longer works without an internet connection, even though the official Help Center says that LAN play should work offline. When the game is opened without internet, the Multiplayer Game option is disabled and cannot be turned on. The Visible to LAN Players option is also unavailable while inside a world. Because of this, other devices on the same local network or hotspot cannot find or join the world. This was tested on multiple phones, including reinstalling the game and signing in with Microsoft accounts, and the issue still happens.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Turn off internet access on the device.

2. Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

3. Create or load any world.

4. Open Settings → Multiplayer while in the world.

5. Notice that Multiplayer Game is grayed out and cannot be changed.

6. Try to join from another device on the same Wi-Fi or hotspot — the world does not appear.

Expected Result

LAN multiplayer should work without internet, and multiplayer settings should remain available so local players can join because the article advertised that it should work without any internet connection with just only a router or a mobile hotspot and Minecraft is typically a lan multiplayer game.

Actual Result

Multiplayer settings are locked after entering the world and when offline, and LAN worlds cannot be joined by other local devices and nothing display on the world tab

Additional Notes

The settings can sometimes be enabled while editing the world, but once inside the game and offline, they become locked again. The game also repeatedly shows “No internet connection” even though only local multiplayer is being used.