Minecraft Java and Bedrock Crossplay With Geyser
How to let Bedrock players on mobile, console and Windows join your Java server with Geyser and Floodgate: requirements, ports and common pitfalls.
Java and Bedrock players cannot join the same server by default, because the two editions speak different network protocols. Geyser translates between them, and Floodgate lets Bedrock players join without owning a Java account. Install both on a Paper-based Java server, open the Bedrock port, and your friends on phones, consoles and Windows can play with the Java community.
Why the two editions do not mix
Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition are separate codebases. Java uses TCP, Bedrock uses UDP, and the packets are different. A Bedrock client simply cannot talk to a Java server.
Geyser sits on the server, speaks Bedrock to Bedrock clients and Java to the server, and translates in between. The result: one world, shared by both.
What you need
- A Java server that runs plugins, such as Paper (see Paper vs Spigot vs Forge vs Fabric).
- Geyser for the translation.
- Floodgate if you want Bedrock players to join without a paid Java account.
- An extra UDP port for Bedrock. The default is
19132. - Optionally, a plugin to cover Bedrock-specific quirks (see below).
Note: crossplay is a compatibility layer, not a perfect copy. A few things behave differently, and some Java-only mods and features cannot be reached from Bedrock.
Step 1: Start from a plugin-capable server
Geyser works as a plugin on Paper and its forks, as a mod on Fabric, and it can also run as a standalone proxy. If you run a Velocity or BungeeCord network, install it on the proxy so every server behind it is reachable.
Step 2: Install Geyser and Floodgate
Download both from their official project pages or from a catalog such as Modrinth, place them in plugins/, and restart.
On SolumeCore's panel there is a Bedrock option in the add-ons section. It installs Geyser and Floodgate for you and reserves the extra port. That port does not count against your plan's port limit, and it is released if you remove the add-on.
The first restart creates the configuration files. On some setups a second restart is needed before the port is applied.
Step 3: Open the Bedrock port
Bedrock clients connect over UDP to port 19132 by default. On a home machine you forward that UDP port on your router; on a hosting panel you assign an extra port and tell Geyser to use it in config.yml:
bedrock:
address: 0.0.0.0
port: 19132If the port number changes, tell your Bedrock players. They must enter the address and the Bedrock port separately.
Step 4: Decide how Bedrock players log in
- With Floodgate, Bedrock players join with their Microsoft/Xbox account and need no Java license. Their usernames get a prefix, usually a dot, so they never collide with a Java name.
- Without Floodgate, Bedrock players must link a real Java account, which defeats the purpose for most communities.
If you use a whitelist, remember to add Bedrock players using the format Floodgate gives them. See admin commands.
Step 5: Let players connect
Java players keep using the usual address. Bedrock players open the Servers tab, choose Add Server, and type:
- Server address: your IP or domain.
- Port: the Bedrock UDP port (19132 unless you changed it).
Consoles do not allow custom servers directly. Players on Xbox, PlayStation or Switch usually need a DNS trick or a helper app to reach a custom server; check current instructions for their platform, since these workarounds change.
Common problems
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrock cannot connect at all | The UDP port is closed or the wrong one | Check the port in the panel and the firewall; remember it is UDP |
| "Outdated client / server" | Geyser supports a Minecraft version range | Update Geyser, or have the player update their game |
| Java players fine, Bedrock stuck at "Locating server" | Address or port wrong | Re-enter both; use the Bedrock port, not the Java one |
| Bedrock players cannot use a feature | The Java feature has no Bedrock equivalent | Consider alternatives such as forms or menus |
| Whitelist rejects Bedrock players | Name is missing the prefix | Add the Floodgate name, prefix included |
Things that do not translate
Some content cannot be shown to Bedrock players: custom client mods, certain resource pack features and some inventory GUI behavior. Test your plugins with a Bedrock client before announcing crossplay.
FAQ
Is Geyser free?
Yes. Geyser and Floodgate are open-source projects.
Do Bedrock players need a Java account?
Not with Floodgate. They sign in with their Microsoft/Xbox account.
Can console players join my server?
Possibly, with workarounds. Consoles restrict custom servers, so the process depends on the platform.
Does Geyser affect performance?
It adds work for the server, and the impact depends on how many Bedrock players connect. Measure with a profiler; see how to fix server lag.
Can I use Geyser on a modded server?
Geyser has a Fabric version. Expect more friction on large modpacks, because Bedrock cannot show Java mod content.
Set it up in minutes
Want it ready without hunting for ports? The Minecraft hosting panel can add Bedrock crossplay with one click. If you need a starting point, begin with how to make a Minecraft server.