What is Cross Platform in Minecraft? All You Need to Know.

Cross platform (or crossplay) means players on different platforms, like PC, console and mobile can play together in the same Minecraft world. Whether your friends are on Playstation, Xbox, iPhone, or a Windows PC, cross-platform play breaks down the walls between devices and brings everyone together.

How Cross Platform Works

Minecraft has two main editions: Java Edition (PC only) and Bedrock Edition (everything else + Windows PC). Cross-platform play depends on which edition you're using.

Bedrock Edition: Built-In Crossplay

Bedrock Edition is where cross-platform magic happens automatically. This version runs on Windows 10/11, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. They can all play together without extra setup.

To join friends across platforms on Bedrock, you just need to:

• Sign in with a Microsoft/Xbox account on your device
• Add friends to your Xbox friends list
• Join their world directly from the "Friends" tab or accept an invite

Once you're signed in with the same Microsoft account, you can switch between devices. Start on mobile, continue on console. Your progress, purchases, and friends list carry over.

Java Edition: Crossplay with Bedrock (via GeyserMC)

Java Edition doesn't natively support crossplay with other platforms. It's PC-only by design. However, if you're running a Java server, you can install plugins/mods like GeyserMC and Floodgate to let Bedrock players join.

GeyserMC acts as a translator between Bedrock clients and Java servers. It converts Bedrock data into a format Java understands and vice versa. This allows true cross-platform play between the two editions. Floodgate handles Bedrock authentication so those players don't need to own Java Edition to join.

Why Cross Platform Matters

Cross-platform play expands your community. Instead of splitting players by device, everyone can connect and play together. For server owners, this means:

• Bigger player base: More devices = more potential players
• Inclusive gameplay: Friends don't need the same platform to join
• Flexible access: Players can switch devices and stay connected

FAQ

Why can't I see my friends online or their world?

This is the most common crossplay issue. First, make sure both players are signed into their Microsoft/Xbox accounts and have added each other as friends using Xbox gamertags. If friends still don't show up, try these fixes:

• Log out and back into your Microsoft account
• Fully restart your device (especially on Switch)
• Have the bost send a direct invite from their pause menu instead of relying on the Friends tab

How many players can join a cross-platform world?

For Bedrock Edition multiplayer worlds, you can have up to 8 players on a local LAN world, or up to 10 players on a Realm subscription. If you're hosting a dedicated Bedrock server or using GeyserMC on a Java server, the player limit depends on your server resources.

At WiseHosting, there's no hard player limit and your server can support as many players as your plan's RAM and CPU can handle. Whether that's 10, 20, 50, or more players for cross-platform play.

Can my friend on PC play with me on Playstation/Xbox/Switch?

It depends on which version they launch. If your friend launches Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11), then yes. However, if they launch Java Edition, you won't be able to crossplay unless they're running a Java server with GeyserMC installed.

Since 2022, PC players get both editions in one purchase, so your friend just needs to switch to Bedrock Edition in their launcher to play with you.

Will my mods work for Bedrock players on a GeyserMC server?

Partially. GeyserMC translates gameplay between Java and Bedrock, but some Java-specific mods (especially client-side mods or complex mechanics) won't work for Bedrock players. Bedrock clients will see vanilla behavior where mods aren't compatible.

There's also a beta version of a companion mod to Geyser called Hydraulic, which allows for Bedrock players to join modded Java Edition servers.

Why won't Bedrock players connect to my GeyserMC server?

The most common issues are port configuration problems. Make sure you've forwarded the Bedrock port (default 19132) in addition to your Java port (25565). Also, set your Bedrock port to 10000 or higher – lower port numbers may cause connection failures.

Check your config.yml file to confirm the correct IP and port are configured, and verify the port isn't already in use by another service.