Floodgate

Floodgate is a plugin by GeyserMC that works together with Geyser. Geyser translates Bedrock connections into Java ones; Floodgate removes the need for a Java account. Bedrock players are authenticated through their Microsoft/Xbox account instead, and the Java server accepts them because Floodgate vouches for them.

How players appear

To avoid name clashes with Java players, Floodgate adds a prefix to Bedrock usernames. By default it is a dot, so a Bedrock player called Steve appears as .Steve. The prefix can be changed in Floodgate’s config. Bedrock players also get a UUID generated by Floodgate rather than a Mojang UUID.

This matters for anything that references player names: whitelists, bans, permissions and plugins that store player data. Use the prefixed name, or the commands and documentation Floodgate provides for these cases.

Networks

On a network, Floodgate is installed on the proxy (for example Velocity) and on each backend server. All installations must share the same key.pem file, which Floodgate generates on first start. The key is what lets backends trust the proxy’s claim that a player is a verified Bedrock user. Treat it like a password and never share it publicly.

Why it matters for server owners

Without Floodgate, a Bedrock-only player would need to buy Java Edition as well just to join. With it, crossplay becomes practical for mixed groups of friends and for public servers that want console and mobile players.

Practical tip

Decide on the username prefix before your server has many Bedrock players. Changing it later means their names change too, which can break existing permissions, homes or claims stored by name.