Yes, it can be done. With the Geyser plugin, players on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, phone and the Windows version of Minecraft can join a regular Java server. Add Floodgate and they do not need to buy a separate Java account. It takes fifteen minutes and it is the only way to have one server that everyone can join, whichever edition they play.
How it works, in one paragraph
Java and Bedrock speak different network languages. Geyser sits as a translator between the Bedrock player and your Java server: it receives Bedrock traffic on its own UDP port (19132 by default) and converts it into what the Java server expects. The server sees an ordinary Java player. Floodgate handles identity: without Floodgate a Bedrock player has to log in with a Java account, with Floodgate their Microsoft account is enough and they get a prefix in their name (a dot by default), so they never clash with a Java player of the same name.
What you need
- A server on Paper (or Fabric, NeoForge, Velocity). It does not work on Vanilla, because Vanilla does not load plugins.
- An extra UDP port for Geyser. Your Java port is TCP; Bedrock talks UDP. In the game panel, Network shows which ports your server has. If you only have one, ask for another through a ticket; extra ports are included with every plan.
- The two plugins from geysermc.org: Geyser-Spigot and Floodgate-Spigot. Take the build that matches your Minecraft version; Geyser usually follows new releases within days.
Installation in five steps
- Upload
Geyser-Spigot.jarandfloodgate-spigot.jarto thepluginsfolder through the Files tab. - Restart the server. Both plugins now create their configuration folders.
- Open
plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml. Underbedrock:, setport:to your extra UDP port and setclone-remote-port: false. Underremote:, setauth-type:tofloodgate. - Restart once more. The console reports "Started Geyser on 0.0.0.0:<port>".
- Have a Bedrock player add the server with your server\'s IP address and the UDP port from step 3. On console that is under "Servers", "Add Server".
The step-by-step version with the exact configuration lines is in the knowledge base: setting up GeyserMC.
What does not work, or works differently
Be upfront about this with your players, or you will get the questions anyway:
- Custom menus and inventories from plugins sometimes look different on Bedrock or miss buttons. Geyser translates as much as it can, but Bedrock has different screens.
- Resource packs and custom items do not work by themselves. There are separate Geyser extensions for that, and it is work.
- Snapshots and the newest release. Right after a Minecraft update, Geyser can lag a few days behind. Update your server only once a Geyser build exists, otherwise your Bedrock players are locked out for a while.
- Certain plugins that rely on the client (custom fonts, some minigame plugins) do not work for Bedrock.
Native Bedrock server or Java with Geyser?
| Java server with Geyser | Native Bedrock server | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can join | Java and Bedrock (all platforms) | Bedrock only |
| Plugins and mods | Everything from Paper, Fabric, Forge | Behavior packs and add-ons only |
| Management | More settings, more possibilities | Simpler, less to configure |
| Risk of odd rendering | Small but present with custom UI | None |
| For whom | Mixed group, or Java players who want to let console friends in | Group that only plays on console or phone |
If nobody in your group plays Java, take a Bedrock server. If there is even one Java player, Java with Geyser is the only option that serves everyone.
Do Bedrock players need a Java account?
Not with Floodgate. Without Floodgate they do: they have to log in with a Java account when joining. So always install Floodgate alongside.
Why can my Bedrock players not connect?
In order of likelihood: the UDP port in config.yml does not match the port in the panel; they are using the Java port instead of the Geyser port; or Geyser has not been updated for your Minecraft version yet. Check the console for Geyser\'s start message, it shows the port it is listening on.
Can I use a whitelist for Bedrock players?
Yes. Floodgate players appear in the whitelist with their prefix, a dot by default: whitelist add .Name. Floodgate\'s /fwhitelist add Name command gets that right automatically.
Does Geyser use a lot of extra memory?
Little: count on a few hundred MB for the plugin itself. Every Bedrock player then simply counts as a player. A 4 GB plan with Geyser handles a group of ten without trouble.
Every HostValues Minecraft Java plan includes extra ports and runs Paper, so you can install Geyser right after ordering.
