Playing Minecraft on your phone and want to join a server? It's easier than you think — but there are a few gotchas that trip up new players. This guide covers every step from opening the app to actually playing on a server, and what to do when things go wrong.
What You Need
You need Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (the version on iOS and Android). This is the paid version from the App Store or Google Play — it's not the same as "Minecraft: Java Edition" which runs on computers. Bedrock Edition works on iOS, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10/11.
You'll also need the server's IP address and port number. Find servers on MC-Servers.io — filter by Bedrock to see servers that support mobile players.
Step-by-Step: Joining a Server on Mobile
Step 1: Open Minecraft on your phone and tap Play on the main menu.
Step 2: Tap the Servers tab at the top of the screen.
Step 3: You'll see featured servers from Mojang (Mineplex, CubeCraft, etc.) that don't need setup. To add a custom server, scroll down and tap Add Server.
Step 4: Enter the server's name (anything you want), the IP address, and the port (usually 19132 for Bedrock; Java servers use 25565 but won't work on mobile).
Step 5: Tap Save, then tap your new server in the list to connect.
Common Problems and Fixes
"Unable to connect to world" — The server might be offline, or the IP/port is wrong. Check that you're using the Bedrock port (19132), not the Java port (25565). Also check that the server supports Bedrock.
Server doesn't appear in the list — Scroll down past the featured servers. Custom servers are at the bottom under the Mojang-featured ones.
Connection times out — Could be your internet, a firewall, or the server being at capacity. Try again in a few minutes.
Server says "Java only" — Java Edition and Bedrock Edition aren't directly compatible. Look for servers labeled "Bedrock" or "Crossplay" on MC-Servers.io.
Login required — Some servers require a Microsoft account sign-in. Go to Settings → Profile in Minecraft to sign in with your Microsoft account.
Featured Servers vs. Custom Servers
The "Featured Servers" tab (Mineplex, CubeCraft, Lifeboat, etc.) shows servers that Mojang has vetted and integrated directly. These connect with one tap — no IP needed. For everything else, use the custom server feature described above.
Featured servers are great for beginners. Custom servers give you access to the thousands of community servers listed on sites like MC-Servers.io.
Bedrock vs Java — What's the Difference for Servers?
Java Edition runs on PC (Mac, Windows, Linux) and has the largest selection of community servers. Bedrock Edition runs on mobile, console, and Windows 10, and supports crossplay between all those platforms. A server labeled "Crossplay" or "Bedrock" will let mobile players join — a Java-only server won't.
If you're on mobile and want the widest selection of servers, filter by Bedrock or Crossplay on MC-Servers.io to see what's available for your platform.