How to Enable Minecraft Java & Bedrock Crossplay with GeyserMC & Floodgate

#Bridging the Gap: Java Edition Meets Bedrock Edition

Historically, Minecraft has been strictly divided: Java Edition players on PC could only play with other Java players, while Bedrock Edition players on iOS, Android, Windows 10/11, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch were locked to Bedrock servers.

GeyserMC is an open-source proxy and server plugin that translates Bedrock network packets into Java packets on the fly. Paired with Floodgate, it allows Bedrock players to join your Java server without even needing to own a Java edition account!

1. Requirements

To run crossplay, your server should run Paper or Purpur on CoalByte.

You will need two plugin files:

1. Geyser-Spigot.jar: Translates packets, entity states, block tags, and custom menus.
2. Floodgate-Spigot.jar: Handles authentication so Bedrock players can log in using their standard Microsoft / Xbox Live accounts without being prompted for a Java license.

2. Installation via CoalByte File Manager

1. Download Geyser-Spigot.jar and floodgate-spigot.jar from the official GeyserMC website.
2. Open your CoalByte File Manager and navigate into the plugins/ directory.
3. Upload both .jar files.
4. Go to the Console tab and restart your server.
5. On boot, Geyser will automatically generate its configuration folder: plugins/Geyser-Spigot/.

3. Configuring Network Ports (Java TCP vs. Bedrock UDP)

Open plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml in the File Manager.

bedrock:
  # The address Bedrock clients connect to (leave as 0.0.0.0)
  address: 0.0.0.0
  # The UDP port assigned to your server
  port: 19132
  
  # Server MOTD displayed in the Bedrock server list
  motd1: "CoalByte Crossplay Server"
  motd2: "Java & Bedrock Players Welcome!"

remote:
  # Address of your Java server (127.0.0.1 for local container)
  address: 127.0.0.1
  # The TCP port of your Java server
  port: 25565
  # Authentication type: floodgate allows passwordless Microsoft logins
  auth-type: floodgate

Note on Ports: Java Edition uses TCP connections, whereas Bedrock Edition uses UDP. In your CoalByte Network allocation tab, ensure your assigned Bedrock port matches the port specified in your Geyser configuration.

4. Handling Username Prefixes

Because Bedrock usernames can contain spaces or share names with existing Java accounts, Floodgate adds a prefix to Bedrock players:

In plugins/floodgate/config.yml:

username-prefix: "."

This means a Bedrock user named Alex appears on your server as .Alex, avoiding collisions and ensuring permissions (like LuckPerms or grief prevention) map uniquely to each player.

5. Connecting from Consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch)

Mobile (iOS / Android) and PC (Windows) players can add your server IP and Bedrock port directly in their Servers tab.

For console players (who normally cannot enter external server IPs):

• Console players can use free DNS redirect tools like BedrockConnect or mobile apps like MC Server Connector to redirect LAN traffic directly to your CoalByte server IP.

Your entire friend group can now mine, build, and explore together in a single shared world regardless of device!