Short answer: yes, they can play together if both are on the same edition of Minecraft. iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch all run Bedrock Edition and play together. Java Edition (PC and Mac) only plays with Java. So either put the PC player on Bedrock, or use a server that lets both editions in.
Java and Bedrock, in plain words
Minecraft comes in two versions that look almost the same but cannot talk to each other.
| Bedrock Edition | Java Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Chromebook | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Plays with | Every other Bedrock device | Other Java players only |
| What it’s called in the store | “Minecraft” (on tablets, phones and consoles) | “Minecraft: Java Edition” |
| Known for | Smooth on tablets, Marketplace add-ons | Mods, big community servers |
Buying Minecraft for a Windows PC now includes both editions. If your PC player has it, they can open the Bedrock version and play with the iPad straight away.
Five ways to get everyone into one world
1. Host a world on one device
On Bedrock, one player opens their world and invites the others as Xbox friends, or everyone joins over the same Wi-Fi. It’s free. The catch: the world only exists while the host is playing, and everyone needs a Microsoft account and friend requests set up.
2. Minecraft Realms
Mojang’s own private servers: $3.99 a month (you plus 2 friends) or $7.99 for Realms Plus (you plus 10) on Bedrock, and $7.99 on Java. The world stays online. The catch: Bedrock Realms and Java Realms are separate, so a Java PC player can’t join an iPad player’s Realm. More on Realms.
3. A public server
Big servers (some are built into the Bedrock menu) let any device join. The catch: they are full of strangers, with public chat, and your kids can’t build their own world there.
4. Run your own server with a bridge
A Java server plus a free bridge tool called Geyser lets iPads and PCs join the same world. It works well, but it is genuinely technical: renting a server, ports, whitelists, version updates every time the iPads update. We know, because we did it for our own kids first.
5. GenieCrafter
We run that bridge for you. Your family gets one private address that iPads, phones and PCs (Java or Bedrock) all join. Only people you invite get in, and there’s a genie that builds whatever you describe.
How to join a server, step by step
On iPad, iPhone or Android (Bedrock)
- Open Minecraft and tap Play.
- Go to the Servers tab and scroll down to Add Server.
- Type any name, the server address, and the port (usually 19132).
- Tap Save, then tap the server to join.
On PC (Java)
- Open Minecraft: Java Edition and click Multiplayer.
- Click Add Server and type the server address.
- Click Done, then double-click the server to join.
For a child account, multiplayer has to be allowed in the Microsoft (Xbox) family settings first, or the game will not let them join any server. See our parents page for which settings matter.
Questions
Is Minecraft cross platform?
Yes, within one edition. Minecraft Bedrock Edition (iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Chromebook) plays across all of those devices. Minecraft Java Edition (Windows, Mac, Linux) plays with other Java players. The two editions do not play together unless a server bridges them.
Can an iPad and a PC play Minecraft together?
Yes. The easiest way is for the PC player to use the Bedrock version of Minecraft for Windows, which comes with Minecraft for PC. Then both are on Bedrock and can join the same world, Realm or server. If the PC player wants Java, you need a server that lets both editions in.
Can Java and Bedrock play together?
Not on their own. Java and Bedrock use different game versions and cannot join each other’s worlds, Realms or LAN games. A server running a bridge (the free tool Geyser is the common one) can let Bedrock players join a Java server. GenieCrafter runs that bridge for you.
Does Minecraft Realms work across Java and Bedrock?
No. There are two kinds of Realm: Bedrock Realms (iPad, phones, consoles, Windows) and Java Realms (PC). A Bedrock player cannot join a Java Realm, and the other way round.
Can Xbox, PlayStation or Switch join a custom server?
Consoles can play with iPad and Windows players in Realms and on the featured servers built into the game. Adding your own server address is not built into the console versions, so a private server usually needs a workaround on console. GenieCrafter will confirm console support before launch.