How to Join a Minecraft Bedrock Server (PC, Xbox, PS5, Switch)

On PC and mobile, joining a Minecraft Bedrock server takes 30 seconds: Play, Servers, Add Server, paste the IP, done. On Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, it's a different story. Microsoft and the console makers don't let you enter an IP address directly. The "Add Server" button doesn't exist. You have to go through a DNS workaround, a third-party app, or join a friend who is already connected. This guide covers the exact procedure for each platform, including the console workarounds that work today.

Key takeaways

• On PC (Windows) and mobile (Android, iOS), connecting by IP is built in: Play > Servers > Add Server.
• On Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, the "Add Server" button doesn't exist. You need to use BedrockConnect (DNS redirection) or the BedrockTogether app (PlayStation).
• The default Minecraft Bedrock port is 19132 UDP. If the server uses a different port, the admin has to tell you.
• The client version and the server version must match exactly. Bedrock updates automatically on every platform: if you can no longer connect after an update, the server probably hasn't been updated yet.

On Windows PC and mobile (Android, iOS)

This is the simplest procedure. It works on Windows 10/11 (Microsoft Store version or the classic Bedrock client), Android and iOS.

• Open Minecraft and tap Play.
• Select the Servers tab at the top of the screen.
• Scroll down past the Featured Servers (The Hive, CubeCraft, etc.) to the "Additional Servers" section.
• Tap Add Server.
• Fill in the three fields:
  • Server Name: whatever you like (it's just a label so you can find it again)
  • Server Address: the IP or domain provided by the admin (e.g. play.myserver.com or 185.230.100.50)
  • Port: the UDP port (19132 by default; only change it if the admin gave you a different port)
• Tap Save, then select your server in the list and tap Join Server.

If the server uses a resource pack (custom textures, menus, minigames), Minecraft asks you to download it when you connect. Accept so the server works properly. If the download fails, quit, relaunch Minecraft and try again.

On Xbox (Series X|S, One)

Xbox doesn't offer an "Add Server" button in the Minecraft interface. Microsoft limits connections to partner Featured Servers. To join a custom server, you have to go through BedrockConnect, an open source project that redirects the Featured Servers to a custom menu where you can enter any IP address.

Setting up BedrockConnect on Xbox

• On your Xbox, go to Settings > General > Network settings > Advanced settings > DNS settings > Manual.
• Enter one of the following BedrockConnect addresses as the primary DNS (pick the one geographically closest to you):

• Enter 8.8.8.8 as the secondary DNS.
• Save and go back to Minecraft.
• Go to the Servers tab and click any Featured Server (The Hive, CubeCraft, etc.).
• Instead of joining the Featured Server, the BedrockConnect menu appears.
• Select "Connect to a Server", enter your server's IP and port, and confirm.

To go back to the normal Featured Servers, set your DNS back to Automatic in the network settings. The DNS change doesn't affect the other games or apps on your Xbox.

Alternative: join through a friend. If a friend is already connected to the server from a PC or mobile device, go to the Friends tab, find them in the list, and click Join Game. This is the quickest method, but it depends on someone already being online on the server.

On PlayStation (PS5, PS4)

PlayStation has the same limitation as Xbox: no "Add Server" button. Two methods work in 2026.

Method 1: BedrockConnect (DNS)

Same principle as on Xbox, applied to the PlayStation network settings.

• Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Custom > DNS > Manual.
• Primary DNS: a BedrockConnect address (see the table above, 213.171.211.132 for Europe).
• Secondary DNS: 8.8.8.8
• Launch Minecraft, go to the Servers tab and click a Featured Server. The BedrockConnect menu appears.
• Enter your server's IP and port.

Online multiplayer on PlayStation requires an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Without PS Plus, you won't be able to connect to online servers, whether they're Featured Servers or custom servers.

Method 2: BedrockTogether (mobile app)

BedrockTogether is a free app (Android and iOS) that creates a bridge between your phone and your PlayStation. It's the most widely used method on PlayStation in 2026.

• Download BedrockTogether from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
• Open the app and enter your server's IP and port.
• Tap "Watch Ad and Run" (free version) or "Run" (ad-free Pro version).
• The app creates a virtual LAN server on your local network.
• On your PlayStation, open Minecraft and go to the Friends tab. The server appears in the "Joinable Games" section as if it were on your local network.
• Click it to join.

Your phone and your PlayStation must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. BedrockTogether has to stay open in the background on your phone for the whole session.

On Nintendo Switch

Same restriction as Xbox and PlayStation. The BedrockConnect method works.

• Go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings > Your network > Change Settings > DNS Settings > Manual.
• Primary DNS: a BedrockConnect address (213.171.211.132 for Europe).
• Secondary DNS: 8.8.8.8
• Launch Minecraft, go to the Servers tab and click a Featured Server.
• The BedrockConnect menu appears. Enter the IP and port.

The Switch has a slower Wi-Fi connection than the other platforms. If connecting to the server fails or the lag is too high, try moving closer to your router or using a USB Ethernet adapter for a wired connection.

Joining a Java server from Bedrock (GeyserMC)

Some Java servers accept Bedrock connections thanks to the GeyserMC plugin. GeyserMC translates the Bedrock protocol into the Java protocol, letting Bedrock players (on every platform) play on a Java server without the server owner having to run two separate servers.

If the server you want to join uses GeyserMC, the admin will give you an IP address and a Bedrock port (often 19132). Connect with that address from any Bedrock platform by following the procedures described above. The server runs on Java, but your Bedrock client talks to it through the GeyserMC layer.

A few limitations to be aware of: some Java items or mechanics may not display correctly on the Bedrock side, enchantments may have slightly different names, and the Java chat/command systems aren't always 100% compatible. General gameplay works well, but expect small differences.

Troubleshooting

"Unable to connect to world"

This message appears in several cases. Check the following in order:

• Is the server online? Ask the admin or use a tool like mcsrvstat.us (it supports Bedrock servers).
• Are the IP and port correct? The default port is 19132, not 25565 (which is the Java port). Mixing the two up is the most common mistake.
• Does your Minecraft version match? Bedrock updates automatically. If the server hasn't been updated yet, you won't be able to connect. Ask the admin to update the server.
• On console: is your online subscription active (PS Plus for PlayStation, Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold for Xbox)?
• Is the DNS configured correctly? (If you're using BedrockConnect) Check that the primary DNS points to a valid BedrockConnect address and that the secondary DNS is 8.8.8.8.

The BedrockConnect menu doesn't show up on console

If you click a Featured Server and end up on the real server (The Hive, CubeCraft) instead of the BedrockConnect menu, the DNS isn't being applied. Restart your console after changing the DNS. If it still doesn't work, try another BedrockConnect DNS address from the table. Some addresses are occasionally overloaded or temporarily unavailable.

Lag or frequent disconnections

The server may be geographically too far from you. A server in the United States with a player in France = 100+ ms of ping, which can cause desyncs in combat or blocks that reappear after being destroyed. If the lag is constant, check that the server is hosted in a region close to you.

Finding a Minecraft Bedrock server to join

You now know how to connect from any platform. If you don't have a server in mind yet, our Minecraft Bedrock server list features active servers with their IP, their port, and the type of gameplay (survival, creative, minigames, factions). Copy the address, follow the procedure for your platform, and you're in game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a Bedrock server from a Java PC?

Not directly. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are two separate clients. If the Bedrock server uses the Floodgate plugin (often combined with GeyserMC), a Java player can join a Bedrock server and vice versa. If the server has no compatibility layer, you have to use the right client for the right edition.

Does changing the DNS on console affect other games?

Not for general operation. Other games, streaming and browsing keep working normally. The only visible effect is that the Minecraft Featured Servers are redirected to the BedrockConnect menu. If you want to go back to normal behavior, set the DNS back to "Automatic".

Is BedrockConnect safe?

BedrockConnect is an open source project hosted on GitHub with more than 2,200 stars. The DNS only redirects requests to the Minecraft Featured Servers. It doesn't collect personal data and doesn't alter the traffic of other applications. The source code can be audited publicly. The main risk is availability: BedrockConnect servers are maintained by volunteers and can be temporarily overloaded or offline.

Is the default port the same on Java and Bedrock?

No. Java uses TCP port 25565. Bedrock uses UDP port 19132. If you enter 25565 as the port in a Bedrock client, the connection will fail. Always check which port the server admin gave you, and don't mix the two up.

Do I need an online subscription to play on a Bedrock server from a console?

On PlayStation, yes: a PlayStation Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer. On Xbox, online multiplayer for free-to-play games and Game Pass games is generally included, but some server features may require Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate. On Switch, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required.