How to Set Up a Minecraft Bedrock Server

So you want to run a Bedrock server. Good news, it's not too hard, but heads up, it's not the same process as setting up a Java server. Different software, different files, even a different port. Here's everything you need, from grabbing the download to getting your Xbox, phone, and Java buddies all in the same world together.

QUICK ANSWER

Quick Answer

Download the free Bedrock dedicated server from Mojang's site, unzip it, and run bedrock_server.exe on Windows or ./bedrock_server on Linux. Edit server.properties to set your rules, then forward port 19132 UDP on your router so friends outside your home can connect. Bedrock devices join directly, Java players need a tool like Geyser to get in.

Fact

Bedrock Edition is built on C++ instead of Java, which is actually why it runs so much better on phones, consoles, and low power devices compared to Java Edition.

Fact

Bedrock servers cap out at a max view distance that's usually lower than Java, since Bedrock has to stay light enough to run smoothly on things like phones and Switch.

Fact

The default Bedrock server only supports vanilla gameplay, no plugins out of the box. If you want plugins, you actually need to run something like PocketMine or Nukkit instead of the official Mojang server software.

Bedrock vs Java Servers

Here's the thing a lot of people don't realize at first, Minecraft is really two different games under the hood. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition don't share server software at all, and a Java server just won't let Bedrock players walk in the door without some extra help. Playing on a console, phone, tablet, or Windows through the Microsoft Store? That's Bedrock. So yep, you're gonna need the Bedrock dedicated server.

Downloading and Running the Bedrock Dedicated Server

The good news is this part is free. Mojang hands out the Bedrock dedicated server on their site, so head over to the official Bedrock server download page, pick whichever OS you're on, and unzip it wherever works for you.

If you're on Windows, it's about as simple as it gets, just double click bedrock_server.exe. Linux folks will need to fire it up from a terminal instead, something like this:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. ./bedrock_server

Once it's running you'll see a console window pop up showing the server booting. Don't close that window. It has to stay open for the server to keep running, so just let it sit there in the background.

server.properties on Bedrock

Bedrock leans on a server.properties file too, same as Java does. A bunch of the settings will feel familiar right away, things like gamemode, difficulty, and level name. But there's a handful that only show up on Bedrock, like:

server-port and server-portv6, one for IPv4 and one for IPv6
allow-cheats, which flips cheat commands on or off
default-player-permission-level, basically deciding what a brand new player is allowed to do

Pop the file open in any basic text editor, tweak what you want, save it, and restart the server so the changes actually kick in.

Port 19132 UDP, Not 25565 TCP

Okay, this one catches almost everyone off guard at least once. Java uses port 25565 and TCP. Bedrock does its own thing with port 19132, and it's UDP, not TCP. So when you go into your router to forward ports, double check you're forwarding 19132 as UDP. Get this wrong and nobody outside your house will ever be able to connect, no matter how right everything else looks.

Console and Mobile Players: What They Can and Can't Join

Good news for anyone on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, phones, tablets, or Windows through the Microsoft Store, basically any Bedrock device. They can jump straight onto a Bedrock server just by punching in the IP address and port in the game menu.

What they can't do, though, is walk onto a Java server without some kind of help. The two just speak different networking languages, so a plain connection attempt is going to fail every time.

Crossplay onto a Java Server Instead

Already got a world going on a Java server and just want your Bedrock friends to hop in too? You'll want a tool like Geyser. Basically it acts as a translator, turning Bedrock's protocol into something the Java server can actually understand, so console and mobile players can log in from their Bedrock client while everyone's really hanging out in the same Java world. Most people pair it with Floodgate as well, which means Bedrock players can join in without needing to own a Java account.

RAM Sizing

For a small server with just a few friends, around 4 GB of RAM should treat you fine. That's enough to cover the base game, a decent render distance, and even a few plugins if you're running something like PocketMine on top. Planning something bigger, more players or a wider view distance, budget for more RAM, and just keep checking in on usage as the world grows and fills up over time.

Can Java and Bedrock players play on the same server?

Not directly, no. But you can bridge the two with a tool like Geyser sitting in front of your Java server, which lets Bedrock players join in using their own client.

Is the Bedrock dedicated server free?

Yep, Mojang gives it out at no cost. You just download it straight from their site and you're good to go.

Why can't anyone connect to my Bedrock server?

Nine times out of ten it's a port forwarding issue. Make sure you're forwarding 19132 as UDP, not TCP, since that's the mistake most people make without realizing it.