How to Allow Multiple Minecraft Versions to Join Your Minecraft Server

How to Allow Multiple Minecraft Versions to Join Your Server

By default, a player's Minecraft client version must exactly match the server's version to connect.

However, by using special protocol-translation plugins and mods, you can allow a wider range of client versions to join, making your server more accessible. This guide covers solutions for standalone servers, modded servers, and proxy networks.

For Standalone Servers (Paper, Spigot, etc.)

This method is for a single, non-proxied server running Paper, Spigot, Purpur, or other Bukkit-based software. The solution is very stable using the ViaVersion suite of plugins.

• ViaVersion: The core plugin. It allows newer client versions to connect to an older server version. (e.g., a 1.21 client joining a 1.20.4 server).
• ViaBackwards: An add-on for ViaVersion that allows older client versions to connect to a newer server version. (e.g., a 1.19 client joining a 1.20.4 server).
• ViaRewind: An add-on for ViaBackwards that extends compatibility even further back to older versions.

Installation Steps:

1. Stop your server.
2. In your game panel, go to the "Plugins" tab.
3. Search for "ViaVersion" and install it.
4. For backwards compatibility (highly recommended), also search for and install "ViaBackwards".
5. (Optional) For support for very old versions, search for and install "ViaRewind".
6. Start your server. No configuration is needed; it works automatically.

For Proxy Servers (BungeeCord & Velocity)

Important: When using a proxy network, you must install these plugins only on the proxy server itself, not on your backend Spigot/Paper servers.

The proxy will handle all version translations before forwarding the player to a backend server.

Installation Steps:

1. Connect to your BungeeCord or Velocity proxy server's files via FTP or the File Manager.
2. Download the BungeeCord/Velocity versions of ViaVersion (and ViaBackwards/ViaRewind) from their official pages (e.g., on SpigotMC).
3. Place the downloaded .jar files into the /plugins folder of your proxy server.
4. Crucially, ensure these plugins are NOT installed on any of your backend servers to prevent conflicts.
5. Restart your proxy server.

For Modded Servers (Forge & Fabric)

Important Warning: Cross-version compatibility on modded servers is significantly more complex and often has limitations. The solutions below primarily work for vanilla gameplay aspects.

For Fabric Servers:

The best solution for Fabric servers is the ViaFabricPlus mod, which bundles ViaVersion and its add-ons into a single, easy-to-install package.

1. Stop your server.
2. In your game panel, go to the "Mods" tab.
3. Search for and install "ViaFabricPlus".
4. Start your server.

For Forge Servers:

A mod called ViaForge exists, but it has major limitations and cannot translate modded content. For Forge servers, it is almost always recommended that all players use the exact same modpack and Minecraft version as the server for stability.

A Note on Support

Please be aware that while we provide the platform for you to run these plugins, MintServers support cannot provide assistance for issues related to the inner workings of third-party plugins like ViaVersion.

If you encounter errors, visual glitches, or connection problems specifically caused by these plugins, you will need to seek help from the plugin developers directly through their official channels, such as their SpigotMC page, GitHub, or Discord server.

Conclusion

Allowing multiple versions to join your server is a great way to improve accessibility.

For the best results, use ViaVersion on your standalone Paper server or directly on your BungeeCord/Velocity proxy. For modded servers, it's often safest to enforce a single, matching version for all players.