How to Use the Msg Command in Minecraft
This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /msg command with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
You can use the /msg command to send a private message to a player or group of players in Minecraft (see also /tell or /w for private message, see /say for public message). Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).
Supported Platforms
The /msg command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
| Platform | Supported (Version*) |
|---|
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) | Yes |
 Pocket Edition (PE) | Yes (0.16.0) |
 Xbox 360 | No |
 Xbox One | Yes (1.2) |
 PS3 | No |
 PS4 | Yes (1.14.0) |
 Wii U | No |
 Nintendo Switch | Yes (1.5.0) |
 Windows 10 Edition | Yes (0.16.0) |
 Education Edition | Yes |
* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.
Requirements
There are no requirements for the /msg command. Even if you have cheats turned off, you can still run the /msg command.
Msg Command
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Msg Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac), the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <targets> <message>
Definitions
- targets is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Msg Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <target> <message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Msg Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition, the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <target> <message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Msg Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition, the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <target> <message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Msg Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition, the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <target> <message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Msg Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <target> <message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Msg Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition, the syntax to send a private message to a player is:
/msg <target> <message>
Definitions
- target is the name of a player (or a target selector) to send the private message to.
- message is the private message to send. Only the targeted players will see this message in their Chat window.
Examples
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac)
To send the private message "follow me" to the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac):
/msg DigMinecraft follow me
To send the private message "Run" to a random player:
/msg @r Run
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To send the private message "Watch Out!" to the player named Axe2Grind in Minecraft PE:
/msg Axe2Grind Watch Out!
To send the private message "Go North" to the nearest player:
/msg @p Go North
Example in Xbox One Edition
To send the private message "Shipwreck at (8, 52, 26)" to the player named TheEarthMover in Minecraft Xbox One Edition:
/msg TheEarthMover Shipwreck at (8, 52, 26)
To send the private message "Kill the phantom" to the nearest player:
/msg @p Kill the phantom
Example in PS4 Edition
To send the private message "Use the Elytra" to the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft PS4 Edition:
/msg Axe2Grind Use the Elytra
To send the private message "Come here" to the nearest player:
/msg @p Come here
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To send the private message "Attack TheEarthMover" to the player named Axe2Grind in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition:
/msg Axe2Grind Attack TheEarthMover
To send the private message "Get up here quick" to the nearest player:
/msg @p Get up here quick
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To send the private message "Defend the base!" to the player named TheExcavator in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:
/msg TheExcavator Defend the base!
To send the private message "Activate the lever" to a random player:
/msg @r Activate the lever
Example in Education Edition
To send the private message "Stop!" to the player named TheEarthMover in Minecraft Education Edition:
/msg TheEarthMover Stop!
To send the private message "Go the other way" to the nearest player:
/msg @p Go the other way
How to Enter the Command
1. Open the Chat Window
The easiest way to run a command in Minecraft is within the chat window. The game control to open the chat window depends on the version of Minecraft:
- For Java Edition (PC/Mac), press the T key to open the chat window.
- For Pocket Edition (PE), tap on the chat button
at the top of the screen.
- For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right)
on the controller.
- For PS4, press the D-Pad (right) on the controller.
- For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button
on the controller.
- For Windows 10 Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
- For Education Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
2. Type the Command
In this example, we will send a private message to the player called DigMinecraft with the following command:
/msg DigMinecraft follow me
Type the command in the chat window. As you are typing, you will see the command appear in the lower left corner of the game window. Press the Enter key to run the command.
Once the cheat has been entered, the private message "follow me" will be displayed in the Chat window of the player named DigMinecraft.
Congratulations, you just learned how to use the /msg command in Minecraft!