How do I let Bedrock and Java players play together (crossplay)?

Crossplay lets Bedrock edition players (phone, console, Windows 10 and Pocket editions) join the same server as Java players. It is done with two free plugins, Geyser and Floodgate, and it works on Paper (or Spigot), so make sure your server is on Paper in the Version Manager first.

Step 1: Install the plugins. Open the Plugin Manager in the panel, search for Geyser, and click install. Then search for Floodgate and install that too. Floodgate is what lets your Bedrock players join without needing a paid Java account.

Step 2: Restart the server once so both plugins generate their files.

Step 3: Point Bedrock at your server's port. By default Geyser listens on its own Bedrock port, but your server only exposes the single port it was given, so Geyser needs to use that one. Open the File Manager, go to plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml, find the bedrock: section, and set clone-remote-port: true. Save the file and restart the server. That makes Bedrock players connect on the exact same address and port as your Java players.

Step 4: How your Bedrock friends join. In Minecraft Bedrock, go to Servers, scroll down to Add Server, and enter your server's IP address in the Server Address field and your server's port in the Port field. These are the same connect details shown on your panel. Save and join.

A couple of things to know. Crossplay runs on Paper with plugins, so it is not compatible with Forge or Fabric mods on the same server. And because Bedrock and Java are different editions, a few Java-only features and some plugins may behave differently for Bedrock players, but general survival, minigames and most builds work great across both.