Minecraft Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch have no Add Server button in Minecraft. To join your WinterNode Bedrock server from a console, use the method below.
Connect with BedrockConnect
BedrockConnect lets a console connect to any server through the Featured Servers list. You point your console’s DNS at a BedrockConnect address, then enter your server IP and port.
- Open the BedrockConnect GitHub page and find the DNS Method section. Click Click to expand, then find your console (Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or PlayStation) and note the primary DNS address listed under it. PlayStation uses a different address from Xbox and Switch. Use only that page; apps and sites with a similar name are not part of the project.
- On your console, open your network DNS settings and set the Primary DNS to that address and the Secondary DNS to
8.8.8.8(or1.1.1.1). Paths are listed below. - Restart Minecraft.
- On the Play screen, open the Servers tab and select a Featured Server that BedrockConnect lists as redirect-compatible. At the time of writing, the project lists Mineville, Lifeboat, Enchanted, Galaxite, and The Hive.
- In the BedrockConnect menu that opens, choose to add a server, then enter your server IP and port.
- Select your server to connect.
Where DNS settings live:
- Xbox: Settings > General > Network settings > Advanced settings > DNS settings > Manual
- PlayStation 5: Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection > your connection > Advanced Settings > DNS Settings > Manual
- PlayStation 4: Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > your connection type > Custom > DNS Settings > Manual
- Nintendo Switch: System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings > your connection > Change Settings > DNS Settings > Manual
Playing on a Java server with cross-play?
If your server runs Java Edition with the Geyser plugin, console players still connect through BedrockConnect (above). See the Geyser plugin guide for the server side of cross-play. When BedrockConnect asks for the port, enter your Geyser port (for example 19134), not the Java port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Console versions of Minecraft (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch) do not include the Add External Server option that phones and PCs have. You connect through BedrockConnect.
BedrockConnect is a free community project, not run by WinterNode or Mojang. It works by changing your console's DNS, so use an instance you trust or host your own. You can set your DNS back to Automatic when you are done. Only use the address listed on the project's GitHub page.
Yes. A Dedicated IP lets you drop the port, but consoles still have no Add Server button, so you use BedrockConnect to enter the address.
Yes. Mojang requires an active Xbox Game Pass Essential or higher (formerly Core), PlayStation Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online subscription for online multiplayer on those consoles, plus a Microsoft account signed in to Minecraft. This applies to every online server, not only WinterNode.
Confirm both DNS fields saved: Primary DNS set to the BedrockConnect address and Secondary DNS set to 8.8.8.8. Restart Minecraft, then join one of the Featured Servers the BedrockConnect project lists as redirect-compatible. If the address you used still doesn't connect, use another address from the List of Instances table on the BedrockConnect GitHub page; pick one marked as DNS-Method Enabled.