- Play > Servers tab > Add Server, then fill in Server Name, Server Address and Port.
- Bedrock's default port is 19132. Java's 25565 won't work from a phone.
- Java servers are joinable from mobile only if they run a Bedrock bridge like GeyserMC; our pages show the Bedrock address when we've confirmed one.
- Download server resource packs on Wi-Fi and lower render distance to save battery and data.
To join a Minecraft server on mobile, open Minecraft, tap Play, switch to the Servers tab, tap Add Server, and enter the server's name, address and port. Save it, tap it, and you're in. Unlike on consoles, phones and tablets can join any Bedrock server by IP with no workarounds at all.
The part that trips people up isn't the button, it's the address: whether the server takes Bedrock players, which port to use, and why a server your friend plays on PC won't let you in. That's what most of this guide is about.
How to add a server on Android, iPhone and iPad
Minecraft on phones and tablets is Bedrock Edition (the old name was Pocket Edition), and the steps are the same on every mobile device.
- Open Minecraft and tap Play.
- Tap the Servers tab along the top. (Earlier in 2026 it was called "Discover" for a couple of months; it's "Servers" again.)
- Tap Add Server. You'll see three fields.
- Server Name: anything you like. It's only a label for your list.
- Server Address: the host name or IP, such as
play.example.net. Don't include a colon or port here. - Port: leave it on
19132unless the server gives you a different Bedrock port. - Tap Save, then tap the server in your list and choose Join Server. The first join downloads the server's resource pack.
Reading a server IP for pocket edition
Server pages usually show a Java address and, if the server supports it, a Bedrock address. Here's how to tell what you can use from a phone.
| What the listing shows | Can you join from mobile? | What to type |
|---|---|---|
| A Bedrock address and port | Yes | Address in Server Address, port in Port |
| A Bedrock address with no port | Yes | Address, and leave Port on 19132 |
Only a Java address (or :25565) | Usually no | Nothing that will work; it's a Java-only server |
| Same address for Java and Bedrock | Yes | The address, with the Bedrock port the server lists |
On our site, a server's page shows a Bedrock address only after our daily Bedrock probe has actually connected to it, so if it's there, it's been tested recently. Our guide on finding a server IP covers the rest.
Can you join Java servers on your phone?
There's no Java Edition for phones, so you can only join Java servers that also let Bedrock players in. Most of them do it with GeyserMC, a bridge that translates between the two editions, often paired with Floodgate so Bedrock players don't need to own Java Edition.
What to expect on a Geyser server: most of the game plays the same, but some Java features don't translate. The Geyser team lists things like clickable chat links, left versus right click in inventories, and some custom enchantments as limits. Servers that need client-side mods (big modpacks) can't be joined from a phone at all. Our crossplay guide goes deeper.
We see 260 crossplay servers online right now; browse them in the crossplay list.
Best Minecraft servers to join on mobile
"Best" depends on what you like playing, but on a phone, some modes fit better than others. Short-round games like Bedwars and SkyWars suit a quick session on the bus. Slower modes like Skyblock and OneBlock are forgiving when your connection drops. Hardcore PvP is tougher on a touchscreen against keyboard players, so look for servers with a separate mobile or Bedrock queue if competition matters to you.
GalaxitePlayer counts on our lists come from our own pinger, not from what servers claim. If you're in India or elsewhere in Asia, the Asian servers list will usually give you lower ping than servers hosted in the US.
How to play Minecraft with friends on your phone
You don't always need a public server.
- Same Wi-Fi: one person opens their world, and everyone else on that network sees it under the Friends tab as a LAN game.
- Anywhere: add friends through your Microsoft account; their open worlds show up in the Friends tab, including friends on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC Bedrock.
- Always-on: a Realm. At the time of writing, Bedrock Realms is about $3.99 a month and Realms Plus about $7.99 a month for you plus 10 friends (minecraft.net/realms has current prices). You can buy and manage one from the phone.
How to make a Minecraft server on mobile
A phone can't realistically run a dedicated server: it would need to stay awake, plugged in and reachable from the internet all day. Here's what people actually do:
Mojang hosts it. Easiest option from a phone. No plugins or mods.
Free, but the world is only online while you're playing.
Mojang's free Bedrock Dedicated Server runs on Windows and Linux. You'd forward UDP port 19132.
You rent the server and manage it from a web panel, which works fine in a phone browser.
If you go the dedicated route and want Java players too, our owner guide on making a crossplay server walks through it.
Save battery and data while you play
- Join new servers on Wi-Fi. Many servers send a resource pack on your first join, and some are large. Later joins reuse it.
- Lower render distance in Settings > Video. It's the biggest single lever for heat and battery, and servers often cap it anyway.
- Turn off fancy extras such as Vibrant Visuals or fancy graphics if your phone gets hot.
- Keep it plugged in for long sessions and take the case off if it heats up. Hot phones slow themselves down, which feels like lag.
- Pick a nearby server. Lower ping means fewer rubber-band moments on mobile data.
When the server won't let you in
| Message | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| "Unable to connect to world" | Wrong address or port, a Java-only server, or the server is offline. Check it on is it down. |
| "Outdated client" | Update Minecraft from the App Store or Google Play. |
| "Outdated server" | The server hasn't updated yet. Wait, or ask its Discord. |
| Stuck on "Locating server" or "Downloading resources" | A weak connection or a large resource pack. Switch to Wi-Fi and try again. |
| "You are not whitelisted" | A private server. Ask the owner to add your gamertag. |
For more, see can't connect to a Minecraft server.
Quick questions
Is the mobile version the same as Pocket Edition?
Yes. Pocket Edition was renamed years ago and is now just Minecraft (Bedrock Edition). Any "pocket edition server list" is a list of Bedrock servers.
Do I need a subscription to join servers on my phone?
No platform subscription is needed on Android or iPhone. You do need the game and a Microsoft account signed in for most servers.
Can I play with my friend on Java from my phone?
Only on a server that runs GeyserMC or a similar bridge. You can't join a friend's Java single-player world from a phone.
Why does the same server work on my tablet but not my phone?
Usually different Minecraft versions (one updated, one not) or the phone is on mobile data with a network that blocks game traffic. Update both and try Wi-Fi.