Bedrock Server Hosting

Connect players on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and Windows 10/11 to your Java server. One world, every platform.

What Is Bedrock Edition?

Minecraft exists in two main versions. Java Edition is the original, built for PC, and runs on the Java Virtual Machine. Bedrock Edition, sometimes called the Windows 10 Edition or Pocket Edition, is the version that runs on consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch), mobile devices (iOS, Android), and Windows 10/11 through the Microsoft Store.

These two editions are not natively compatible. A Java server cannot accept connections from Bedrock players, and a Bedrock server cannot accept connections from Java players. They use different network protocols, different world formats, and different rendering engines. For years this meant that mixed groups, where some people play on PC and others on console or mobile, had to maintain two separate servers or pick one edition and leave some players behind.

That changed with GeyserMC, an open-source proxy that translates between the Bedrock and Java protocols in real time. With Geyser installed on a Java server, Bedrock players can connect and play alongside Java players in the same world. It is not a perfect 1:1 translation, there are minor differences in inventory handling, some visual effects, and certain features, but for the vast majority of gameplay, it works remarkably well.

Crossplay via GeyserMC

GeyserMC works as a plugin on your Java server. When a Bedrock player connects, Geyser intercepts the connection, translates the Bedrock protocol into Java protocol, and forwards it to the server. The server treats the Bedrock player as a regular Java player. The translation happens in both directions, server responses are translated back to Bedrock format before reaching the player's device.

The setup is straightforward: install the GeyserMC plugin on a Paper or Spigot server, configure the Geyser port (usually 19132 for Bedrock), and restart. Bedrock players connect using your server's IP address and the Bedrock port. Java players continue to connect on the standard Java port (25565) as usual.

Along with Geyser, most servers also install Floodgate. Floodgate is a companion plugin that lets Bedrock players join without needing a Java account. Without Floodgate, Bedrock players would need to link a Java Edition account to authenticate, Floodgate removes that requirement and authenticates Bedrock players through their Xbox Live account instead. Bedrock player names are prefixed with a configurable character (usually a period or asterisk) so operators can distinguish them from Java players.

How to Set Up Crossplay

Setting up crossplay on Astroworld involves a few steps:

1. Start with Paper — Paper is the recommended base for crossplay servers. It gives you full plugin support, better performance, and compatibility with GeyserMC. See the Paper page for why it is the best foundation.
2. Install Geyser and Floodgate — Download both plugins from the GeyserMC website or Hangar. Upload the JAR files to your plugins folder via the Pterodactyl file manager. Our plugin installation guide covers the process in detail.
3. Configure the Bedrock port — After the first restart, Geyser generates a configuration file. Set the Bedrock listening port (default is 19132) and make sure the port is open on your server allocation in the Pterodactyl panel.
4. Share connection info — Give Java players your server IP and the Java port. Give Bedrock players the same IP and the Bedrock port. Both connect to the same world.

Who Benefits from Crossplay?

Crossplay is for any community where players use different devices. This is more common than most people think. A friend group might have some members on PC, a couple on Xbox or PlayStation, and one person who only plays on their phone during commutes. Without crossplay, those players cannot share a server.

• Friend groups with mixed platforms , The most common use case. Everyone gets to play together regardless of whether they own Java or Bedrock.
• Family servers — Parents on PC, kids on tablets or consoles. Crossplay keeps the whole family in one world.
• Community servers looking for reach , Allowing Bedrock connections opens your server to a much larger potential player base. Bedrock Edition has more total players than Java Edition worldwide.
• Schools and educational settings , Students often have access to tablets or shared devices running Bedrock. A crossplay server lets them participate regardless of device.

What to Expect

GeyserMC does an impressive job of translating between two fundamentally different versions of the game, but there are some differences worth knowing about. Bedrock players see a slightly different inventory UI. Some Java-exclusive features like spectator mode or certain particle effects may not render identically on Bedrock clients. Custom resource packs work differently across editions.

For regular survival gameplay, mining, building, exploring, fighting mobs, trading with villagers, the experience is nearly identical across both editions. Most plugins also work fine with Bedrock players, including economy plugins, permissions, and chat formatting. The GeyserMC team actively maintains compatibility with the latest versions of both Minecraft editions.

Performance overhead from Geyser is minimal. The translation process adds a small amount of CPU usage per Bedrock player, but it is negligible on modern hardware. You do not need a more powerful plan specifically for crossplay, a server that handles your Java player count will handle the same number of Bedrock players without issues.

Compare all server types or read our Java vs. Bedrock guide for a deeper comparison of the two editions.