1. Introduction

Short version: you want players to connect using a clean hostname (e.g. play.yourdomain.com) instead of typing an IP and port.
This is done using DNS records: A or CNAME and (if a custom port is used) an SRV record.
Below are the simple, concrete steps.

2. Requirements Before You Start

• Access to your domain's DNS panel (at your registrar or DNS hosting).
• Public IP of your Minecraft server (or host, e.g. de-1.neyhost.com).
• Information about which port your server uses (default Java: 25565, Bedrock: 19132, may be different).
• Permission to create A/CNAME/SRV records.

3. Option A – Domain pointing directly to IP (A record)

If you have a public server IP (e.g. 203.0.113.45):

1. Create an A record in your DNS panel:

   • Name: play (for play.yourdomain.com) or @ (for yourdomain.com)
   • Type: A
   • Value: 203.0.113.45 (your server’s IP)
   • TTL: default

2. If the server runs on the default port (25565 for Java), players just type play.yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com if you used @.

Pros: the simplest method.
Cons: if your host uses a hostname like de-1.neyhost.com instead of giving you a raw IP — use Option B (CNAME).

4. Option B – Subdomain / CNAME pointing to host (e.g. de-1.neyhost.com)

If your provider gives you a hostname instead of an IP, for example de-1.neyhost.com:

1. Create a CNAME record:

   • Name: play
   • Type: CNAME
   • Value: de-1.neyhost.com. (remove any :<port> if present)

2. After this, play.yourdomain.com will point to de-1.neyhost.com.

3. If the server on de-1.neyhost.com runs on the default port — you’re done.

Note: you cannot create a CNAME for the root @ if it already has an A/AAAA record.
In that case, either delete the A record (if you don’t need it) or configure only a subdomain like play.yourdomain.com.

5. Handling a Custom Port (SRV Record)

If your server uses a custom port (e.g. 10000) and you want players to connect without typing :10000, you need an SRV record.

Java Edition (Minecraft SRV):

• Service: _minecraft
• Protocol: _tcp
• Name: play.yourdomain.com (sometimes just play depending on the panel)
• Target: de-1.neyhost.com. (your host)
• Port: 10000 (replace with yours)
• Priority: 0
• Weight: 5

DNS format (if your panel uses this style): _minecraft._tcp.play 3600 IN SRV 0 5 10000 de-1.neyhost.com.

Bedrock Edition:

• Service: _bedrock
• Protocol: _udp
• Everything else identical (use your Bedrock port).

Why SRV?
SRV maps a service to a host and a port.
Players type only play.yourdomain.com, and DNS tells their client:
“Minecraft service is on de-1.neyhost.com:25566”.

Important: not every DNS panel supports SRV.
If SRV is unavailable, players must use play.yourdomain.com:10000.

6. Example DNS Records (ready to paste if your panel supports raw entries)

Example 1 – Simple A record (IP 203.0.113.45):

play 3600 IN A 203.0.113.45

Example 2 – CNAME pointing to de-1.neyhost.com:

play 3600 IN CNAME de-1.neyhost.com.

Example 3 – SRV for Java (server on de-1.neyhost.com:10000):

_minecraft._tcp.play 3600 IN SRV 0 5 10000 de-1.neyhost.com.

Example 4 – SRV for Bedrock (server on de-1.neyhost.com:10000):

_bedrock._udp.play 3600 IN SRV 0 5 10000 de-1.neyhost.com.

7. Testing After DNS Changes

1. Wait for DNS propagation (usually minutes, sometimes up to 24h).
2. Try connecting from Minecraft (Java/Bedrock) using the domain you set.
3. If using a custom port without SRV, connect using host:port.

8. FAQ – Common Issues

Q: I added the records but nothing works.
A: Check for typos, verify propagation (dig / nslookup), make sure your server accepts external connections and your firewall is open.

Q: Why can’t I set a CNAME on the root domain?
A: Root (yourdomain.com) usually cannot be a CNAME. Use A/AAAA or ALIAS/ANAME if your provider supports it.

Q: My DNS panel doesn’t support SRV.
A: Your options are:

1. players connect using host:port,
2. use a proxy on port 25565,
3. switch to a DNS provider that supports SRV.