Setting up a Minecraft Bedrock server isn’t as simple as clicking “Create World” and inviting friends. Unlike Java Edition, Bedrock requires some specific steps to get cross-platform multiplayer working properly across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, mobile devices, and Windows 10/11.
What Makes Bedrock Servers Different
Bedrock Edition uses a completely different codebase than Java Edition, which means the server software works differently too. The official Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) doesn’t have a GUI—it’s command-line only. You’re also limited in terms of plugins and mods compared to Java, but you get something Java can’t match: true cross-platform compatibility across consoles and mobile devices.
The Bedrock server software runs on Windows and Linux, requires port forwarding (usually port 19132 UDP), and needs consistent uptime if you want friends to access it reliably. That’s why many players opt for managed hosting instead of running it from their home PC.
How to Make a Minecraft Server Bedrock: Step-by-Step
Creating a Bedrock server involves downloading the dedicated server software, configuring your network, and managing the server through command-line tools. Here’s the complete process:
Download the Bedrock Dedicated Server Software
Head to the official Minecraft website and download the Bedrock Dedicated Server for your operating system. Microsoft provides free downloads for both Windows and Ubuntu Linux. The file comes as a ZIP archive—extract it to a dedicated folder where you want to run your server.
Inside the extracted folder, you’ll find the server executable (bedrock_server.exe on Windows), configuration files, and permission lists. Don’t run it yet—you need to configure a few things first.
Configure Server Properties
Open the server.properties file in a text editor. This is where you control everything about your Bedrock server:
- server-name: What players see in the server list
- gamemode: Survival, creative, or adventure
- difficulty: Peaceful through hard
- max-players: How many concurrent players you’ll allow
- online-mode: Set to true to require Xbox Live authentication
- allow-cheats: Enable or disable commands
- server-port: Default is 19132 (UDP)
The most important setting is online-mode. Keep this set to true unless you specifically need offline mode for testing. It prevents unauthorized players from joining and ensures proper Xbox Live integration.
Set Up Port Forwarding
This is where most people hit a wall. Your Bedrock server needs incoming connections on port 19132 UDP. Log into your router’s admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and create a port forwarding rule:
- External port: 19132
- Internal port: 19132
- Protocol: UDP (not TCP)
- Internal IP: Your computer’s local IP address
Every router interface looks different, so you might need to search for your specific router model’s instructions. If you’re behind a double NAT or using carrier-grade NAT (common with mobile hotspots), port forwarding won’t work—you’ll need a VPN solution or hosted server instead.
Launch Your Server
Run the bedrock_server executable. On Windows, just double-click it. On Linux, use ./bedrock_server in terminal. The server will generate your world and start listening for connections.
You’ll see a command prompt window showing server activity. Keep this window open—closing it shuts down the server. To stop the server properly, type “stop” in the command window rather than just closing it. This ensures your world saves correctly.
Connect to Your Server
Players on the same local network can connect using your local IP address. For external players, they’ll need your public IP address (find it by searching “what’s my IP” on Google). In Minecraft Bedrock Edition, go to the Servers tab, scroll down, and click “Add Server.” Enter your server name and IP address with port (like 123.45.67.89:19132).
If players can’t connect, double-check your port forwarding, firewall settings, and make sure the server is actually running. Windows Firewall often blocks the server by default—you’ll need to create an exception for bedrock_server.exe.
Managing Your Bedrock Server
Whitelist and Permissions
Edit the allowlist.json file (formerly whitelist.json) to control who can join. Add player Xbox gamertags or UUIDs to the list. You can also use the command allowlist add playername while the server is running.
For operator permissions, edit permissions.json or use the command op playername. Operators can use all commands and manage the server in-game.
Backup Your World
Your world data lives in the “worlds” folder inside your server directory. Stop the server before copying this folder to back up your world. Running backups while the server is active can corrupt your save files.
Set up automatic backups using Task Scheduler on Windows or cron jobs on Linux. A simple batch script can stop the server, copy the worlds folder, and restart the server on a schedule.
Server Commands
The Bedrock server console accepts standard Minecraft commands without the forward slash. Common ones include:
stop– Safely shut down the serversave holdandsave resume– Pause world saving for backupsallowlist on/off– Enable or disable the allowlistkick playername– Remove a playerchangesetting difficulty hard– Change server settings on the fly
Common Problems and Solutions
Server crashes on startup: Usually caused by corrupted world files or incompatible add-ons. Try creating a fresh world or removing all behavior and resource packs from the world folder.
Players can’t connect from outside your network: Port forwarding is the most common culprit. Verify your router settings, check that your ISP doesn’t block hosting, and confirm your firewall allows UDP traffic on port 19132.
Poor performance with multiple players: Bedrock servers are CPU-intensive. Reduce render distance in server.properties, limit max players, and consider upgrading your hardware or moving to a dedicated Bedrock server host.
World not saving: Make sure you’re stopping the server properly using the “stop” command rather than force-closing the window. Enable autosave in server.properties if it’s disabled.
Self-Hosting vs. Managed Hosting
Running a Bedrock server from home works fine for small groups, but it comes with headaches. Your server goes down when your PC is off or restarts. Your home IP address might change. Port forwarding can be a nightmare with certain ISPs. And if you want good performance for more than a handful of players, you’ll need to leave a decent computer running 24/7.
Managed hosting solves these problems. Services like GameTeam.io provide optimized Bedrock servers with automatic backups, DDoS protection, and one-click setup—no port forwarding or command-line configuration required. Starting at $1 per GB with 20% off for new customers, it’s often cheaper than the electricity costs of running your own hardware continuously.
The choice depends on your technical comfort level and how serious you are about uptime. For testing or playing with a couple friends occasionally, self-hosting works. For a persistent world where players expect reliable access, hosted servers make more sense.
Adding Content to Your Server
Bedrock doesn’t support plugins like Java’s Bukkit or Spigot, but you can add behavior packs and resource packs. Place them in the behavior_packs and resource_packs folders inside your world directory, then reference them in the world’s world_behavior_packs.json and world_resource_packs.json files.
Add-ons from the Minecraft Marketplace or community sites work on Bedrock servers, but all players need compatible versions installed. Test add-ons in single-player before adding them to your server—some can cause crashes or conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my Java server to Bedrock?
Not directly. The world formats are incompatible. Third-party tools like MCC Tool Chest can convert worlds, but complex redstone and some blocks won’t transfer correctly. It’s easier to start fresh or use a conversion service.
Do players need Xbox Live to join?
If online-mode is set to true (recommended), yes. Players need a free Xbox Live account to authenticate. This works across all platforms including PlayStation and Switch. Setting online-mode to false removes this requirement but also removes authentication security.
How much RAM does a Bedrock server need?
Minimum 1GB, but 2-4GB is better for stable performance with multiple players. Bedrock is more CPU-dependent than RAM-heavy compared to Java Edition. A modern quad-core processor matters more than massive amounts of memory.
Can console players join my server?
Yes, that’s the whole point of Bedrock. Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, mobile, and Windows 10/11 players can all connect to the same server. Just make sure online-mode is enabled for proper Xbox Live authentication across platforms. Check out our guide on how to join a Minecraft server on Bedrock for platform-specific instructions.
How do I update my server?
Download the latest Bedrock Dedicated Server from Minecraft’s website. Stop your server, backup your worlds folder, then replace the old server files with the new ones (keeping your worlds, server.properties, and permission files). Start the server with the new executable.
Getting Your Server Running
Making a Minecraft Bedrock server takes more technical work than most players expect, but it’s doable if you follow the steps carefully. The reward is having your own persistent world where friends across any platform can play together. Just remember to keep backups, stay on top of updates, and be realistic about whether self-hosting or managed hosting fits your situation better. For a detailed comparison of server options, read our complete Minecraft server setup guide.
