Is Minecraft cross-platform?
Yes. Minecraft Bedrock Edition has full crossplay between phones, tablets, Windows PCs, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Java Edition only plays with other Java players. The two editions are separate games with different network protocols, so a Java player can't join a Bedrock world or server directly – and the other way round.
| Edition | Platforms | Plays with |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrock Edition | Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows 10/11, Xbox One / Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Chromebook | Every other Bedrock platform |
| Java Edition | Windows, macOS, Linux | Java Edition only |
If your copy is called just "Minecraft" on a phone, console or in the Microsoft Store, it's Bedrock. Java Edition is the one you start from the Minecraft Launcher on a computer (on Windows, the Java & Bedrock bundle includes both).
Which devices can play Minecraft together?
Any two Bedrock devices can play together, as long as both run the same game version and both players are signed in with a Microsoft account. A phone player can join an Xbox player's world, a PS5 player can join a Switch player's Realm, and everyone can share one dedicated server.
What has to match:
- Edition – Bedrock with Bedrock. Java ↔ Bedrock needs a special Java server (see below).
- Version – Bedrock updates on all platforms at roughly the same time, but a device that hasn't updated yet can't join a newer world or server ("Outdated client"). Update the game in your platform's store.
- Microsoft account – crossplay goes through the Microsoft (Xbox) account system, including on PlayStation and Switch. The account is free.
- Online subscription on consoles – online multiplayer on consoles usually requires the platform's subscription (Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online).
Preview/Beta builds are the exception: they only connect to other Preview players, not to normal worlds and servers.
How do you crossplay in Minecraft Bedrock?
There are four ways: join a friend's world, use LAN at home, rent a Realm, or play on a dedicated server. They differ mainly in whether the world is online when the host isn't, and how many people fit.
| Method | Online without the host? | Players | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friend's world (Friends tab) | No – only while the host is playing | Up to 8 together | Quick sessions with a couple of friends |
| LAN (same Wi-Fi) | No | Same home network only | Siblings and friends in one house |
| Realms | Yes | Up to 10 friends + you (Realms Plus) | Console-heavy groups, no setup |
| Dedicated server | Yes, 24/7 | Set by you, limited by RAM | Bigger groups, addons, full control |
Friend's world
- Both players add each other as friends: "Play" → "Friends" → "Add Friend" and search for the other player's gamertag.
- The host opens their world with multiplayer enabled (world settings → "Multiplayer" → "Multiplayer Game").
- The friend opens the "Friends" tab, finds the host under "Joinable Friends" and joins.
The world lives on the host's device, so it's gone for everyone as soon as the host stops playing.
LAN
In the world's multiplayer settings, turn on "Visible to LAN Players". Other devices on the same home network see the world at the bottom of the "Friends" tab. This doesn't work over the internet.
Realms
Realms is Mojang's paid, always-on server. Everyone joins from the "Realms" tab or by an invite link, on every platform including consoles. It's the simplest option, but with a player cap and no access to server files – see Minecraft Realms vs your own server.
Dedicated server
A Bedrock server runs independently of any player's device. Phone and Windows players add it by address and port; console players need one extra step because consoles don't have an "Add Server" button – it's all in how to join a Minecraft server on Xbox, PS5 and Switch.
Can Java and Bedrock players play together?
Not directly – but a Java server with the Geyser plugin lets Bedrock players (phones, consoles) join alongside Java players. Geyser translates between the two protocols, and its companion plugin Floodgate lets Bedrock players join without owning Java Edition.
Things to know before you go that route:
- Geyser runs on a Java server (for example Paper), not on a Bedrock server. If you set up a Bedrock server, Java players still can't join it.
- Some features don't translate 1:1 – certain Java mods, client-side mods and parts of the UI work differently or not at all for Bedrock players.
- Java mods and modpacks (Forge, Fabric) don't run on Bedrock clients, so a heavily modded server isn't a good crossplay pick.
If your group is all on Bedrock devices – phones, tablets, consoles – a plain Bedrock server is simpler: no translation layer and every Bedrock feature works. If some friends insist on Java, a Minecraft Java server with Geyser is the way.
How do you set up a Minecraft crossplay server?
For a group on phones, Windows and consoles, run a Minecraft Bedrock server: every Bedrock platform can join it. On Spot.gg it takes a few clicks:
- Create an account and confirm your email – no card needed.
- Click "Activate a free server", choose Minecraft Bedrock and the newest version (the same one your players have).
- Pick RAM and a location close to your players – including Germany, plus Canada and India for players outside Europe.
- In the server panel, click "How to connect?" – you'll get the address and the port as two separate fields to copy, because Bedrock asks for them separately.
The first 24 hours are free. After that, a Bedrock server costs from $3.90 / month with 2 GB of RAM, or $5.99 / month with 4 GB.
Ports for Bedrock's player connections are assigned and written to the config automatically at every start – you don't forward anything. You'll find them under "Network". New Bedrock Dedicated Server versions show up in the panel shortly after Mojang releases them, so you can update the server the same day consoles and phones update.
Why can't my friend on another platform join?
Most of the time it's a version mismatch, the friend's account privacy settings, or a console that can't add servers by address. Check in this order:
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Outdated client" / "Outdated server" | Different game versions | Update the game on every device, and the server |
| Friend doesn't show up in "Joinable Friends" | Host's world isn't set to multiplayer, or you're not friends yet | Enable "Multiplayer Game", add each other as friends |
| Xbox player can't join anyone on other platforms | Xbox privacy settings block cross-network play | Allow cross-network play and multiplayer in the Xbox account's privacy settings (child accounts need a parent to allow it) |
| Console can't add the server | Consoles only show Featured Servers | Join through a friend on the server, or use a workaround – see the console guide |
| Java friend can't join a Bedrock server | Different editions | Use a Java server with Geyser instead |
| Can't connect to your home server from outside | Port forwarding or CGNAT | Forward the ports, or move the server to hosting |
FAQ
Is Minecraft cross-platform between PS5 and Xbox?
Yes. Minecraft on PS5 and Xbox is Bedrock Edition, so both can play in the same world, Realm or server. Both players need a Microsoft account and usually the console's online subscription.
Can Java and Bedrock play together?
Not natively. A Java server with the Geyser plugin (plus Floodgate) lets Bedrock players join a Java server. A Bedrock server never accepts Java players.
Is Minecraft on Switch cross-platform?
Yes, the Switch version is Bedrock Edition and plays with phones, Windows, Xbox and PlayStation. Sign in with a Microsoft account in the game to play with friends on other platforms.
Do you need a Microsoft account to crossplay?
Yes. Bedrock crossplay uses Microsoft (Xbox) accounts on every platform, including PlayStation and Switch. The account itself is free.
How many players can crossplay in one Minecraft world?
A world hosted from a player's device fits up to 8 players. Realms Plus fits you plus 10 friends at once. On a dedicated server you set max-players yourself; the practical limit is RAM and view distance.
What's the easiest way to crossplay with friends on consoles?
Realms needs no setup on consoles but has a player cap and no file access. A dedicated Bedrock server gives you more control and 24/7 uptime; console players then join through a friend or a DNS workaround.