How to Install a Minecraft Bedrock Server on Raspberry Pi

Playing Minecraft with friends and family requires either putting up with split screen mode, or using multiple devices. For the best results, these should connect to a Minecraft server.

But paying for a Minecraft server is expensive. Why not build your own? It is now possible to run Minecraft Bedrock Server on a Raspberry Pi.

Why Use Minecraft Bedrock Server?

Over the years, Minecraft has evolved beyond the original Java game. As of 2016, Minecraft Bedrock Edition has been the main version, released on PC, consoles, and mobile.

While this brings new features, improved graphics, and better stability to the game, Minecraft Bedrock Edition is not compatible with the old desktop and mobile Java version. As such, if you had installed Minecraft server on a Raspberry Pi, you would only be able to connect from the corresponding Java version (whether on a PC or another Pi).

As there is now a (Java-based) Minecraft Bedrock-compatible server for Raspberry Pi, you can use it to host games played on any device running Bedrock. This gives you the advantage of being fully in control of the server, from setting invites and assigning access rights to installing mods and backing up the world.

Which Raspberry Pi Will Run a Minecraft Bedrock Server?

For this project you have a choice of the Raspberry Pi 3 or Raspberry Pi 4. Naturally the Pi 4 with its 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB variants is the best option. However, you should be able to run Minecraft Bedrock Edition server on a Raspberry Pi 3.

To test this project, I used a Raspberry Pi 3 B+. This device has a 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. Initial setup was over Wi-Fi, using SSH, but a better response and lower latency can be enjoyed with an Ethernet connection to your router.

Anything lower than a Raspberry Pi 3 should be avoided.

What You Need for a Minecraft Bedrock Server

To host the server software, you will need an operating system. For optimum performance, opt for a lightweight OS–Raspberry Pi OS Lite is probably the best option here.

See our guide to installing an operating system on the Raspberry Pi before proceeding. It is recommended that you configure the installation to automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network (if you’re using one), and have SSH enabled on the Raspberry Pi. If you’re not using SSH, you’ll need a keyboard and display set up and connected.

You will also need to install:

• Git
• Java SDK
• Latest Bedrock Edition-compatible Java build of Minecraft

Follow the steps below to install these and configure your Minecraft Bedrock server.

Configure Raspberry Pi OS for Minecraft Bedrock Edition Server

Before you can install the server software, you will need to configure the Raspberry Pi. These steps assume you have already installed Raspberry Pi OS.

Start by ensuring the operating system is up-to-date:

 sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade 

Next, open the Raspberry Pi configuration tool, raspi-config:

 sudo raspi-config 

Use the arrow keys to select System Options > GPU Memory and the GPU to 16. This ensures the majority of system resources are dedicated to the server. Hit Tab to select OK.

If you haven’t already enabled SSH at this point, do so by selecting Interfacing Options > SSH press Tab to select Yes and press Enter to confirm.

Next, hit Tab to select Finish, then Enter to reboot the Raspberry Pi.

Set up Minecraft Bedrock Server on Your Raspberry Pi

With the Raspberry Pi restarted, install Git

 sudo apt install git 

This software allows you to clone a GitHub repository to your computer, and is required for installing Minecraft Bedrock server.

You can now install Java.

 sudo apt install default-jdk 

This installs the default (current) version of Java. You can check which version by entering

 java -version 

(Note that to install a specific Java release, use a specific version name, such as sudo apt install openjdk-8-jdk.)

At the time of writing, the default-jdk version was 11.0.16.

Install Minecraft Bedrock Server on Raspberry Pi

You’re not ready to install the server. Begin by entering

 git clone https: 

Wait while this completes, then switch to the Nukkit directory

 cd Nukkit 

Here, update the submodule:

 git submodule update –init 

That will take a while to complete. When done, change permissions on mvnw

 chmod +x mvnw 

Finally:

 ./mvnw clean package 

This final command is the longest part of the process. It’s a good opportunity to boot Minecraft Bedrock Edition on your PC, mobile, or console in readiness.

Run Minecraft Bedrock Server on Raspberry Pi

When ready, change directory:

 cd target 

Here, launch the server software:

 java -jar nukkit-1.0-SNAPSHOT.jar 

You’ll initially be instructed to enter your preferred server language.

Once that is done, Nukkit starts, the server properties are imported, and the game environment is launched. This begins with the default gamemode set to Survival, but you can switch that later.

Once everything appears to be running, enter

 status 

This will display various facts such as memory use, uptime, available memory, load, and number of players.

You can also use the help command (or hit ?) to check what instructions can be used to administer the server. These can either be input directly into the Pi with a keyboard, via SSH, or from the Minecraft game’s chat console (remember to precede each command with “/” in the console).

Connect to Minecraft Bedrock Server from Another Device

With everything set up, you’re ready to connect to your server. To do this

1. Launch Minecraft Bedrock Edition on any other device
2. Select Servers > Add Server
3. Input the server’s Name and IP address (you should know this from using SSH)
4. Tap Play to enter the server right away, or Save
5. Subsequent connections, the server will be listed under Additional Servers – simply select it then Join Server

A moment later, you should be in the Minecraft server world. On the server side, this will be recorded:

Create a Minecraft Bedrock Edition Server With Your Raspberry Pi

While a few steps are required to enable the Bedrock Edition server on Raspberry Pi, the end results are good. Our test device, you will recall, was a Raspberry Pi 3B+, more than adequate for 2-5 players. A Raspberry Pi 4 will probably perform better for a greater number of players.

Using a Raspberry Pi is just one of many ways you can create a Minecraft server for free.