Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is the version that runs on consoles, mobile devices, and Windows, and it uses different server software from Java Edition. If your friend group plays on a mix of Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, phones, or the Windows Bedrock app, you need a Bedrock server (or one that supports both, via a compatibility layer) for everyone to play together.
Getting the Bedrock Dedicated Server files
Mojang publishes an official Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) download for Windows and Linux. Unlike Java Edition, there is no .jar file; instead you get a folder of executables and configuration files ready to run. Mojang's own guide to downloading dedicated server software covers both editions if you want the source instructions.
- Download the Bedrock Dedicated Server package for your operating system.
- Extract it into its own folder.
- Accept the license agreement, which is presented during download on Mojang's site rather than in a separate file.
Step 1: Launch the server
On Windows, run bedrock_server.exe. On Linux, run ./bedrock_server from inside the extracted folder. The first launch generates your world and a set of configuration files, most importantly server.properties.
Step 2: Configure server.properties
Bedrock's server.properties file looks similar to Java's but with some Bedrock-specific options, including:
server-name— what shows up in the in-game server list.gamemodeanddifficulty— the default rules for new players.max-players— how many people can be connected at once.default-player-permission-level— controls what regular (non-operator) players can do.
If you would rather not hand-edit the file, a server.properties generator can put together a valid configuration in a couple of clicks.
Step 3: Open the right port
Bedrock Edition uses UDP, not TCP, and defaults to port 19132. This is different from Java's TCP port 25565, so router or firewall rules set up for a Java server will not automatically work for Bedrock. Make sure you forward UDP 19132 if you are self-hosting and want players outside your network to connect.
Step 4: Connect from a Bedrock client
In the Minecraft client on console, mobile, or Windows, go to the Servers tab and add your server's IP address and port. Console players in particular are used to a curated server list, so double check the address is entered exactly right.
Cross-play with Java players
Vanilla Bedrock and Java servers cannot talk to each other directly, since they use incompatible networking protocols. If you want Java and Bedrock players in the same world, you need a proxy solution designed for cross-play, which a good hosting panel can typically set up for you with a couple of clicks rather than manual configuration.
The easier route
Manually running BDS means keeping a machine on around the clock and managing UDP forwarding yourself. Tick Hosting's free plan supports Bedrock servers out of the box, with the port configuration handled automatically and a control panel for editing server.properties without touching a terminal. Spin one up from Tick Hosting's plans.