How Can Java Players Join Friends on Bedrock Realms?
As a hardcore Minecraft Java player, one of the most common questions my friends ask me is "Why can‘t I join your Minecraft Bedrock realm?".
I totally get the frustration! With crossplay becoming more common, you‘d think it would be easy to play Minecraft across platforms. Sadly, while partial cross-platform play is possible with some workarounds, direct connections between Java and Bedrock realms remain unavailable.
But never fear, intrepid Java players! In this comprehensive guide from a Minecraft veteran, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about joining Bedrock servers, the available solutions in 2024, and what to expect in the future. Grab some in-game munchies and let‘s get started!
So What‘s the Deal With Java and Bedrock Crossplay?
Before we dig into the solutions, it helps to understand why getting Java and Bedrock to play nice is so tricky.
In a nutshell: Java and Bedrock are two completely different backend codebases.
The original Java game we know and love uses Java programming language. It has complex mechanics and extensive modding options that require beefier hardware.
Bedrock, built in C++, powers the unified codebase on mobile, consoles and Windows 10. Optimized for crossplay between those platforms out of the box.
Because the engines differ so radically, there‘s no easy way to get them talking to each other for direct multiplayer connections. Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Java Edition | Bedrock Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Java | C++ |
| Playable on | Windows, Mac, Linux PCs | Mobiles, Consoles, Windows 10 PCs |
| Typical performance | More resource intensive | Optimized for weaker hardware |
| Moddability | Highly moddable | Limited add-on support |
| Multiplayer approach | Server-based | Realms subscription service |
As you can see, trying to smush these two editions together poses some steep technical hurdles. But where there‘s a will (and enough Redbull), there‘s a way!
Third-Party Servers Bridge the Gap with Plugins
The best news? You can play cross-platform multiplayer between editions by using special third-party servers running conversion plugins.
The most popular plugin solution is GeyserMC. It acts as a bridge, allowing Java clients to connect to Bedrock servers.
Here‘s a quick overview of how it works:
- Find a Bedrock server with GeyserMC installed.
- Download the standalone Geyser client to connect from Java.
- Join the server by entering its IP address into your Java multiplayer menu.
And voila! A server handshake worthy of a true Minecraft diplomat. Behind the scenes, Geyser converts all the network traffic and player actions to translate between editions. Pretty impressive stuff!
In 2022, Geyser gained huge momentum among server admins by hitting over 1 million unique Java players joining Bedrock servers! And it receives regular updates to fix bugs and expand support.
For the smoothest crossplay experience, I recommend checking out BedrockConnect. Their hosted service has Geyser pre-configured so players don‘t have to mess around with installing plugins. Just grab the custom server IP and share it with your Java & Bedrock buddies! Perfect for casual play.
What About Official Mojang Crossplay?
I know what you‘re thinking…
"That plugin stuff sounds way too technical! Why doesn‘t Mojang fix this themselves??"
An excellent question! And there‘s good news on that front too…
Full, integrated crossplay is on Mojang‘s official roadmap for Minecraft development! They‘ve said it‘s a complex challenge with no estimated release window, but the intention is there.
Some key info from Minecraft devs:
- Main goal is crossplay between all platforms
- Would allow joining Realms and servers across editions
- Java and Bedrock would still exist as separate versions
- Lots of technical hurdles around very different codebases
Their latest move towards this vision was revamping both games to use the same Microsoft account system in late 2022. Allowing unified friends lists and easier multiplayer connections between platform versions.
So while we may not seeJava hopping into Bedrock realms directly this year, the future looks bright! Crossplay is on the horizon.
For now though, third party options like GeyserMC plug the gap nicely. And who knows, maybe all the incredible community-made tools will help motivate Mojang‘s own crossplay implementation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still hungry for more crossplay info? I‘ll polish off this feast of an article by answering some common queries:
Q: Can I move my Java builds/worlds to Bedrock?
A: Yes! Using various tools you can convert Java worlds to Bedrock format. I recommend MCC Tool Chest for easy imports.
Q: What about playing on different devices, like console and PC together?
A: Consoles have access to the Bedrock version and crossplay with Windows 10 PCs. But not with Java on Mac/Linux.
Q: Is performance better on Java or Bedrock for my PC?
A: Bedrock is much more optimized, so you‘ll get better frames per second on lower spec hardware. But Java has more graphics options for beefy PCs.
Q: What‘s the most stable and updated crossplay plugin?
A: GeyserMC without question. The team is extremely responsive for new Minecraft updates and server-side bugs.
Time to Mine Together!
Whew, that was an epic journey worthy of slaying the Ender Dragon!
I‘m crossing my fingers hard that Mojang pulls off full integration soon. But GeyserMC and BedrockConnect fill the gap admirably today.
So what are you waiting for? Go pester those Bedrock buddies to setup a unified server already! No diamond pickaxe required 😉
Let me know if you have any other crossplay questions. And may your mineshafts run deep and prosperous!
