Connect to Minecraft Servers on PlayStation & More! 2022

Did you know that you can actually play on 3rd-party Minecraft servers, like NetherGames and Vox SMP, from your console? While the feature is locked away, since there is no option in the game UI to add a server, now that it’s 2022 there’s several options to fix that. We wrote an article back in late-2020 about an effective method to connect using a simple DNS workaround. With more options being released in the last couple years, we decided it’s time to revisit the subject.

Workaround Options

MC LAN Proxy – Perfect for Android Owners 🥉

This Android app will allow your Xbox or PlayStation to connect to 3rd-party servers by using your phone as a bridge. You do not need Minecraft on your phone for this to work. Read below for more info!

BedrockTogether – Easiest to Use 🥈

This iOS app will allow your Xbox or PlayStation to connect to 3rd-party servers by using your phone as a temporary bridge. You do not need Minecraft on your phone for this to work. Read below for more info!

BedrockConnect – Our #1 Pick 🥇

This DNS service will allow any device running Minecraft Bedrock to connect to 3rd-party servers by redirecting requests to connect to any of the “Featured Servers” to a unique custom server list. Read below for more info!

FriendConnect – (NEW) Best option overall, with a catch!

This new kid on the block, FriendConnect, is probably the most seamless experience overall for the end user. However it requires the most setup from the owner of the server, and cannot be used without their support like the other options. Read below for more info!

MC LAN Proxy

This Android app works by generating a fake local-multiplayer game on your network. When you connect to it from within Minecraft, your phone will direct it to the inputted server. It doesn’t seem to “hand-off” the connect at any point, so if you close the app or turn your phone off after connecting, you’ll lose connection to the server. This is also a paid app, though there is a 10 minute trial version (linked below) so you can test it and make sure it works for you first.

MC LAN Proxy is ideal for people who cannot get BedrockConnect to work on their network, or are otherwise unable to edit their DNS settings. You’ll also need and Android phone, so iPhone users, check see below for an even easier solution!

Method: LAN Proxy Bridge

Pros: Available on Android, works with Xbox & Playstation.
Cons: Can add more latency (ping). Closing the app or turning off your phone will disconnect you. Will not work with Nintendo Switch. Costs $2.50 USD, but there is a very limited trial version so you can test and make sure it works on your device.

Difficulty to setup: 0/5
Difficulty to use: 2/5
Test on Xbox One + Galaxy S9 w/ Android 10

Download on Google Play

BedrockTogether

This iOS app works by generating a fake local-multiplayer game on your network. When you connect to it from within Minecraft, your phone will redirect you to the inputted server and “hand-off” the connection. Unless you have the paid version, you have to watch an Ad each time you connect. Fortunately, since the connection is “handed-off” to the server, you can close the app or even power off your phone once you’re connected. There is an option to pay to remove Ads, but the app is otherwise free.

BedrockTogether is ideal for people who cannot get BedrockConnect to work on their network, or are otherwise unable to edit their DNS settings. It requires an iOS device to use, like an iPhone or iPod touch. If you have the choice, we do recommend this app over MC Lan Proxy since you don’t have to worry about your phone disconnecting you.

Method: LAN Proxy Hand-off

Pros: Available on iOS, works with Xbox & Playstation. Free. You can close the app or even turn off your phone after you’re connected.
Cons: Requires watching a video ad to connect. (Has paid version without ads) Sometimes you’ll have to retry connecting a few times. Will not work with Nintendo Switch.

Difficulty to setup: 0/5
Difficulty to use: 3.5/5
Tested on Xbox One + iPhone 11 w/ iOS 14.3

Download on iOS App Store

BedrockConnect

This DNS service works by redirecting the domain name requests from the default “Featured” Minecraft servers to the IP of a specialized “server list” server. From there you can add IPs and connect to any server you wish. Due to the nature of this workaround, it can be tricky for less tech-savvy users to setup. However, it will also work on any device, including Nintendo Switch, and should only ever need to be set up once per console.

PS4 Server Screen — The server management menu, visible once BedrockConnect is set up.

BedrockConnect is our number one pick because it doesn’t require another device, and once it works for you once, it should never need tinkered with again. If you can’t get it to work on your network however, try out one of the apps listed above!

Method: DNS Bypass

Pros: Works on all devices. Free.
Cons: Will not work if your local network uses IPv6. (IPv6 can be disabled, but only if you have access to your router’s admin page.) The public DNS servers can get overwhelmed sometimes meaning you have to retry connecting several times.

Difficulty to setup: 3/5
Difficulty to use: 1.5/5
Tested on Xbox One

PlayStation Tutorial

Xbox Tutorial

Switch Tutorial

View on Github

FriendConnect

This Node.js package uses the inbuilt Minecraft friends system to allow players to connect to a specific BDS server. It is the newest option on this list, having only come out in the last few months. So many features and improvements are still in the works! Once setup, it is by far the closest to Realms in terms of seamlessness and polish.

How it works, from the end user perspective

This is an excellent option if you are a server owner looking for easier ways for your users to connect. However, if you’re an end user, the best you can do is send your server’s operator a link to this page.

Method: “Joinable Friends”-Listing Spoof

Pros: Fully seamless, and incredibly easy for the end user to connect using.
Cons: Has to be set up by the server operator, and will likely require an additional VM to do so.

Difficulty to setup: 4.5/5
Difficulty to use: 0.1/5
Not yet tested by Evercraft Staff