What Makes Bedrock Edition Tick

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is available through first-party platform stores and supports cross-play across compatible devices. Local worlds remain on the device where they were created unless you use a Realm or a supported export and transfer path. This page explains cross-play, account roles, Realms, dedicated servers, Add-Ons, and graphics settings.

Wherever a claim below could affect how you set things up, we link to the official Minecraft or Microsoft page for it, and we keep community advice separate from documented behaviour. If you are here to fix a specific problem rather than learn how a feature works, the guides and FAQ pages are organised around symptoms and questions.

Where Java Edition relies on community mod loaders such as Fabric or Forge, Bedrock Edition uses Add-Ons documented in Microsoft's official creator documentation. Add-Ons can contain structured packs and supported scripts; behavior, availability, and import paths vary by game version and platform.

Behavior packs

Behavior packs change how the world works. They are collections of JSON files that describe entities and their components, so creators can adjust mob behaviour, loot tables, crafting, and spawn rules, or define brand-new entities. When applied to a world, those definitions replace or extend the default gameplay.

Resource packs

Resource packs change how the world looks and sounds. Beyond textures, they can define 3D models, UI layouts, sounds, and particles. A server or Realm can require clients to download its resource packs; successful download and behavior still depend on pack settings, version, and device support.

The Scripting API

For behaviour that JSON alone cannot express, Bedrock offers a JavaScript-based Scripting API documented on the Minecraft Creator site. Whether a module requires an experiment depends on the API version and feature; check the current module documentation instead of assuming every script needs a toggle.

Featured servers

Bedrock includes a Servers tab in the Play menu with featured partner communities you can join with a single click — no IP address to type in. Each community runs its own minigames, rules, and moderation. Because these servers are approved for the in-game list, they are the main way console players join large public communities alongside Realms.

Marketplace & Add-Ons

The in-game Marketplace offers worlds, skins, texture packs, and Add-Ons from Mojang and approved creators. Availability can vary by device and listing. Only Realms Plus includes the Marketplace Pass catalog; standard Bedrock Realms does not. You can browse the catalog on the official Marketplace page.

Version matching

Since all Bedrock players share one edition, the single most important thing for playing together is running the same game version. App stores and consoles publish updates at slightly different times, so a friend on the newest update may be temporarily unreachable to someone who has not updated yet. Before troubleshooting anything else, everyone should check for and install pending updates. If a join still fails afterwards, the connectivity guide walks through account, privacy, service-status, and network checks in order.

Split-screen and local play

On Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, extra players can join the same screen by connecting a controller and pressing start, which is ideal for family sessions. Devices on the same local network can also see and join each other's open worlds without an internet server. These local options do not need any subscription, though online multiplayer between households still depends on each player's account and platform requirements.