How to Set Up Geyser for Java and Bedrock Cross-Play

Enable crossplay between Bedrock and Java Edition players using the Geyser plugin. This guide covers finding an available port, installing Geyser on your server, and configuring it for Bedrock connections.

Check Your Available Ports

Geyser needs a separate port for Bedrock connections. New servers automatically include additional ports you can use:

1. Navigate to Management → Allocations in your control panel
2. Look for unused ports - you’ll see your primary port plus several additional ports
3. Choose a port close to the default Bedrock port (19132) - typically 19134 or the closest higher number available
4. Note this port number for the configuration step

Install Geyser

1. Visit geysermc.org/download and download the version matching your server software (Paper, Spigot, Fabric, Forge, BungeeCord, or Velocity)
2. Stop your server
3. Upload the Geyser JAR file to your plugins/ folder (or mods/ for Fabric/Forge)
4. Start your server to generate the Geyser config file
5. Stop your server again

Configure Geyser

1. Navigate to Files → File Manager in your control panel
2. Open plugins/Geyser-[platform]/config.yml
3. Find the bedrock section and change the port to the available port you identified:

bedrock:
  address: 0.0.0.0
  port: 19134  # Replace with your available port from Allocations

4. Save the file and start your server

Bedrock players can now connect by going to Add External Server in Bedrock’s server list, entering your server address, and changing the Port field from the default 19132 to your assigned port (e.g., 19134).

Adding Floodgate (Strongly Recommended)

Without Floodgate, Geyser alone only allows Bedrock players who also own Java Edition to connect. Most console and mobile players only own Bedrock - they’ll hit an authentication error and get kicked before they can even load in. Floodgate solves this by handling Xbox/Microsoft authentication directly, so any Bedrock player with a valid Xbox account can join regardless of whether they own Java Edition.

Beyond authentication, Floodgate adds several things that improve the crossplay experience: Bedrock player skins render correctly for Java players, Bedrock-aware plugins can send native Bedrock UI forms, and players who own both editions can link their accounts using Global Linking so their progress, permissions, and data stay unified across both versions.

1. Download Floodgate from geysermc.org/download (same platform as Geyser)
2. Stop your server
3. Upload the Floodgate JAR to your plugins/ folder (or mods/ for Fabric/Forge)
4. Start your server

Bedrock players can now connect without a Java account. Their usernames will have a . prefix to distinguish them from Java players (e.g., .BedrockPlayer). Your server stays secure - Floodgate still requires a valid Xbox account, it just drops the Java Edition license requirement.

About Geyser

Geyser is a packet translator that converts Bedrock Edition network traffic into Java Edition traffic. This means Bedrock players on consoles, mobile, or Windows 10/11 can join your Java server as if they were Java players.

Version requirements: Geyser only supports the latest Minecraft release because Bedrock Edition can’t run older versions. If you’re running an older Java server version, install ViaVersion to let newer clients connect.

Port and domain: Bedrock doesn’t support SRV records, the DNS record type that lets you hide non-standard ports behind a clean domain. If you use a custom domain or our Sub-domain Manager, Bedrock players still need to enter the port number manually when adding your server. A dedicated IP lets you run on port 19132, which removes that requirement since 19132 is the port Bedrock defaults to.

We see this combination requested frequently for servers trying to build cross-platform communities. The Geyser team maintains excellent documentation at wiki.geysermc.org, which we recommend checking for advanced configuration options and troubleshooting.