Normally every player needs the same Minecraft version as your server. ViaVersion lets players on newer versions join an older server, and ViaBackwards, installed with it, lets players on older versions join a newer server. Install them from Modding, Plugins and restart.
The facts below are from the ViaVersion project's own pages.
Install ViaVersion
- Open your server in the panel, click the Modding tab, then Plugins.
- Search for
ViaVersionand click Install on its row. - For older clients, also install ViaBackwards. The ViaVersion project lists it together with ViaVersion, for players on versions older than the server, down to 1.9.
- Restart the server.
ViaVersion's own page says it runs on Paper and Velocity, and Purpur runs Paper plugins. Spigot is not on its list, and on a Spigot server its Modrinth row says Won’t run here. Use Paper or Purpur instead. See How to install plugins on Paper, Spigot and Purpur.
Which one you need
- Players have a newer game than your server: ViaVersion.
- Players have an older game than your server, down to 1.9: ViaVersion and ViaBackwards.
- Players on 1.7 or 1.8: the project also lists ViaRewind, with the other two.
On a network, ViaVersion can also run on the proxy (Velocity or BungeeCord); its project page explains the choice. See How to build a Minecraft network with Velocity or BungeeCord.
Good to know
- Players on a brand new Minecraft release can join only once ViaVersion supports that release, so keep it updated. See How to update plugins and mods on your Minecraft server.
- A player on another version only gets what your server's version has. Newer blocks and items from their game do not appear on an older server.
- Bedrock crossplay needs your server to accept the Java version Geyser speaks. Geyser's setup guide says a Paper or Spigot server on an older version needs ViaVersion. On Paper, Purpur, Spigot and Folia the panel adds it for you when your version is older: in the setup wizard, and when you enable or update crossplay on the Bedrock crossplay card on Ports & Network. If the card says
ViaVersion could not be added, or it is not listed under Installed afterwards, install it yourself as above. See How to let Bedrock players join your Java server with Geyser. - If players see
Outdated clientorOutdated serveranyway, see Players see Outdated client or Outdated server on your Minecraft server. - To move your server to another version instead, see How to change your Minecraft version or server type.
