What Is Geyser and How Does Crossplay Work?
GeyserMC is a proxy that translates between the Bedrock and Java network protocols, so players on Android, iOS, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch can join a Java Edition server. You install it as a plugin on Paper or Spigot, open one UDP port, and both editions play together on the same world.
You do not need a separate Bedrock server. Your server stays a Java server, and Geyser speaks both languages at the edge.
What You Need
A Java server running Paper (recommended) or Spigot - The Geyser-Spigot plugin jar from geysermc.org - The Floodgate plugin jar from the same team - One open UDP port for Bedrock clients, 19132 by default
Paper is the right base here. It runs plugins well and is much lighter on CPU than Vanilla, so adding crossplay does not cost you performance.
Step 1: Install Geyser and Floodgate
1. Download Geyser-Spigot and Floodgate from geysermc.org 2. Drop both jar files into your server's plugins folder 3. Restart the server and watch the console for Geyser's startup log
On first start, Geyser creates a config folder with geyser.yml, and Floodgate creates its own folder with a key file. Leave the defaults in place for now.
Step 2: Open the Bedrock Port
Java clients connect over TCP port 25565. Bedrock clients connect over UDP, 19132 by default. Both must be reachable for crossplay to work.
On M.A.F Cloud, you create one allocation per port and pick the protocol for each: TCP, UDP, or BOTH. Add a UDP allocation for 19132 and the built-in live port probe tells you right away whether the port answers from outside. On a bare VPS, open the port in the firewall instead:
sudo ufw allow 25565/tcp
sudo ufw allow 19132/udp
Step 3: Configure geyser.yml
The default config works for most setups. The part worth checking is the remote section:
yaml
bedrock:
address: 0.0.0.0
port: 19132
remote:
address: auto
port: 25565
auth-type: floodgate
````address: auto` tells Geyser to connect to the local Java server, no IP entry needed - `auth-type: floodgate` lets Bedrock players sign in with their Microsoft account instead of owning Java - If your Java server runs on a non-default port, update `remote.port` to match
Step 4: Join From Each Platform
Android and iOS: Add Server in the Servers tab, enter your server IP and port 19132 - Windows Bedrock: add the server by IP from the Servers tab - Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch: consoles hide custom servers, so players typically join through a LAN relay such as PhantomMC or a community connector app. Nothing extra is needed on the server side
Floodgate prefixes Bedrock usernames (a dot by default) so they never collide with Java names. Players keep their own skins and progress.
Troubleshooting Crossplay
### Bedrock players cannot connect
Confirm the UDP port is open. A working Java connection does not mean UDP works - Check that `bedrock.port` in geyser.yml matches the port you opened - Update Geyser after every Minecraft version bump, older builds break on protocol changes
### Bedrock players get kicked at login
Verify Floodgate actually loaded by checking the startup log - Make sure `auth-type` is set to `floodgate` in geyser.yml - If you copied configs between servers, confirm the Floodgate key file came with them
### Java players cannot connect after setup
Geyser binds UDP only, so Java connection problems are almost always your TCP port or firewall, not the plugin
Frequently Asked Questions
### Does Geyser work with mods?
Geyser works directly on Paper and Spigot plugin servers. Fabric and Forge need the standalone Geyser build running beside the server, which is a bigger setup.
### Can Bedrock players use plugins?
Yes. Bedrock players are normal players once connected, so permissions, economy, and protection plugins apply to them too.
### Is Geyser free?
Yes. Geyser and Floodgate are open source projects maintained by the community, with no paid tier.
Is Crossplay Worth It?
If your group is split between phones, consoles, and PCs, Geyser turns two servers into one. The plugins are free, setup takes a single restart, and Paper keeps the whole thing fast enough for real survival play.