That said – things have changed recently, meaning your purchase unlocks both editions of the game – but more on that later. It will be easier to buy the version that everyone else plays. Which version of the game you should buy ultimately depends on what the majority of your online friends are using. Let’s look at the main differences between these two versions. Essentially Java realms servers can’t be accessed by a Bedrock game and vice versa. It’s worth noting that both versions of the game work with Minecraft Realms, although the Realms servers are exclusive for each version. You can pretty much guarantee that Java players are using a mouse and keyboard, but those playing the Bedrock edition could be using anything from a console controller to a mobile phone. The developers explain how these will remain separate games, with unique features and updates.īesides the changes to gameplay, one core difference is the platforms these versions run on. These two versions of the game also have their own distinctive features and some tweaks to the core gameplay systems of Minecraft. This makes the systems used to play online in Minecraft make it as if you are playing two different games. While they are both (of course) Minecraft, the coding architecture means they are not natively able to connect to the same servers. These two versions of Minecraft are essentially separate games. What are the Differences Between Java and Bedrock? For this reason, unless you use a workaround, Java and Bedrock players will only be able to play online on different servers.īecause the multiplayer servers are incompatible between a bedrock client and a java server, and vice versa, you’ll need to use a workaround to be able to play together if you’re not using the same version. However, they won’t be able to join Java servers. For example, any players using Minecraft bedrock edition will easily be able to play with each other. If you are playing the same versions of the game, then it’s really easy to connect with your friends. Cross-platform play is possible, it just requires a little extra work. If you are buying Minecraft to play with a group of your friends, then you might want to consider using the same launcher if you can.įortunately, while it isn’t officially supported, you can play Minecraft together if you are using java and bedrock editions of the game. Minecraft is best enjoyed with friends, but you want to make sure you can all play together before wasting your time diving through hoops. Can Java and Bedrock Editions Play Together?

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