Minecraft Bedrock "Outdated Server" and "Outdated Client" Fix

"Could not connect: Outdated server!" in Minecraft Bedrock means your game is newer than the server. "Outdated client!" means the opposite: the server is newer than your game. Bedrock only lets players join a server on the same version, and because phones and consoles update Minecraft automatically, this error shows up for almost every Bedrock server right after a Minecraft release. The fix is to update whichever side is behind, which is nearly always the server.

Short answer

• "Outdated server!": the server owner updates the server to the newest Bedrock Dedicated Server. On GamezServers that is one click on Update game.
• "Outdated client!": update Minecraft on your device from its app store, then try again.
• On Minecraft Preview? Preview builds cannot join normal servers. Play the regular Minecraft app instead.

Why Bedrock is strict about versions

Java Edition players can pick any older version in the launcher. Bedrock has no version picker: the app on iPhone, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and Windows always updates to the newest release, and you cannot roll it back. The server has to follow. Mojang publishes a new Bedrock Dedicated Server for each release and hotfix, usually on the same day, but a server does not update itself. Until the owner installs the new build, everyone whose game updated sees "Outdated server".

Hotfixes count too. A small patch that changes the network protocol can lock players out again a week after a big update.

Fix 1: Update the server

On GamezServers

1. Open your server in the dashboard.
2. Click Update game.
3. Wait for the reinstall to finish and the server to come back Online.

Your world is backed up first and kept, along with server.properties, allowlist.json and permissions.json. Make sure Bedrock version in the panel settings is latest. If someone set it to an exact version like 1.26.52.3, the update installs that version again, and you need to change it back.

On a self hosted server

1. Stop the server with stop and copy the worlds folder, server.properties, allowlist.json and permissions.json somewhere safe.
2. Download the newest Bedrock Dedicated Server for your system from minecraft.net/download/server/bedrock.
3. Unzip it over your server folder, then put your saved files back so the defaults do not overwrite your settings.
4. Start the server.

Fix 2: Update your game

If the message says "Outdated client":

• iPhone and iPad: App Store, your profile, then update Minecraft.
• Android: Google Play, Manage apps and device, update Minecraft.
• Windows: open the Xbox app or Microsoft Store library and install updates.
• Xbox: My games & apps, Manage, Updates.
• PlayStation and Switch: highlight Minecraft and check for an update from the game's options menu.

Restart Minecraft after updating.

How to check both versions

• Your game: the version number is shown at the bottom of the main menu and in Settings.
• The server: open the Console in your panel. One of the first lines after a start says Version: followed by the server's version, for example 1.26.52.3.

The first numbers need to match your game's version. If they do not, update the side that is behind.

Can I keep the server on an older version?

Only while every player can stay on that version too, which almost never works on Bedrock because phones and consoles cannot downgrade. Pinning an older server version mainly makes sense for a short time, for example waiting for an add-on to support a new release, and it locks out anyone who has already updated.

Going the other way is safe: newer servers open worlds from older versions. Loading a world in an older server after it ran on a newer one is not supported, so always back up before changing versions.

Add-ons after an update

Most add-ons keep working after an update. Ones that use experimental features or scripting APIs can break until their author releases a new version. If the server starts but players see errors, or the log shows pack errors, update the add-on or remove it from world_behavior_packs.json to get everyone playing again. See how to add add-ons to a Minecraft Bedrock server.

Stop chasing updates

A Minecraft Bedrock server from GamezServers updates in one click after every release, with your world backed up first. New to it? Start with how to host a Minecraft Bedrock server.

FAQ

What does "Outdated server" mean in Minecraft Bedrock?

The server runs an older version than your game. The owner has to update the server.

Why does this happen every few weeks?

Bedrock updates your game automatically for each release and hotfix, and the server has to be updated separately each time.

Can I downgrade Minecraft Bedrock to join?

Not on phones or consoles. Update the server instead.

Can Minecraft Preview players join my server?

No. Preview builds run a newer version than regular servers. Use the normal Minecraft app to join.