BedrockServerTermux

Run a fully functional Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server on your Android device using Termux and Ubuntu (proot-distro)

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Features
• Prerequisites
• Installation
  • Step 1: Install Ubuntu in Termux
  • Step 2: Setup Environment & Minecraft Server
  • Step 3: Running the Server
  • Step 4: Making Your Server Accessible
• Server Management
• Updating Your Server
• Access via File Manager
• Installing Mods / Add-ons
• Configuration
• Troubleshooting
• Performance Considerations
• FAQ
• Contributing
• License
• Acknowledgments

Overview

BedrockServerTermux allows you to host a Minecraft Bedrock Edition server directly on your Android device without requiring root access. This project leverages:

• Termux: A powerful terminal emulator for Android
• proot-distro: To run a full Ubuntu environment
• Box64: ARM64 to x86_64 translation layer for running the Bedrock server
• Playit.gg: Tunneling service to make your server accessible over the internet

Features

• No Root Required: Works on any modern Android device
• Automated Setup: Simple installation scripts handle all dependencies
• Full-Featured Server: Supports all Minecraft Bedrock Edition features
• Easy Updates: One-command server updates
• Internet Accessible: Built-in tunneling support with Playit.gg
• Free to Use: No subscriptions or hosting fees

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• Android Device:

  • Android 7.0 or higher
  • Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB+ recommended)
  • 2GB+ free storage space

• Termux Application:

  • ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Install Termux from F-Droid, NOT from Google Play Store
  • Google Play Store version is outdated and incompatible

• Internet Connection:

  • Stable connection required for installation and server hosting
  • WiFi recommended for best performance

• Basic Knowledge:

  • Familiarity with command-line interfaces helpful but not required
  • Ability to follow step-by-step instructions

Installation

Step 1: Install Ubuntu in Termux

1. Open Termux and execute the following commands:

# Update Termux packages
apt update -y
apt upgrade -y

# Install wget
apt install wget -y

# Download and run Ubuntu setup script
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/debojitsantra/BedrockServerTermux/refs/heads/main/setup_ubuntu.sh
bash setup_ubuntu.sh

2. After installation completes, log in to Ubuntu:

proot-distro login ubuntu

Note: You should now see a prompt starting with root@localhost indicating you're in the Ubuntu environment.

Step 2: Setup Environment & Minecraft Server

1. Inside the Ubuntu session, run these commands:

# Update Ubuntu packages
apt update -y
apt upgrade -y

# Install wget
apt install wget -y

# Download and run environment setup script
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/debojitsantra/BedrockServerTermux/refs/heads/main/setup_env.sh
bash setup_env.sh

2. This script will automatically:
   • Install Box64 (x86_64 emulation layer)
   • Install Playit (tunneling service)
   • Install Git and other dependencies
   • Download the latest Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server
   • Extract and configure server files

⏱️ Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes depending on your internet connection

Step 3: Running the Server

You'll need two separate Termux sessions (windows/tabs) for this step.

Session 1: Minecraft Server

1. Open your first Termux session
2. Log in to Ubuntu:

proot-distro login ubuntu

3. Navigate to the root directory and start the server:

cd ~
./run

The server will begin starting up. You should see server logs appearing.

Session 2: Playit Tunnel

1. Open a second Termux session (swipe from left edge → New Session)
2. Log in to Ubuntu:

proot-distro login ubuntu

3. Start the Playit tunneling service:

playit

Step 4: Making Your Server Accessible

1. After running playit, you'll see a URL displayed in the terminal

2. Copy this URL and open it in your web browser

3. Follow the setup instructions on playit.gg to:

   • Create a free account (if you don't have one)
   • Claim your tunnel
   • Get your server's public address

4. Share the public address with friends to let them join your server!

Server Management

Starting the Server

# In Ubuntu environment
cd ~
./run

Stopping the Server

In the server session, type:

stop

Or press Ctrl + C to force stop.

Viewing Server Logs

Server logs are displayed in real-time in the session where you ran ./run.

Server Console Commands

While the server is running, you can use standard Bedrock server commands:

• stop - Gracefully stop the server
• list - List connected players
• kick <player> - Kick a player
• ban <player> - Ban a player
• save - Force save the world

Full command list: Official Bedrock Server Commands

Updating Your Server

To update to the latest stable or beta version of Minecraft Bedrock Server:

# Navigate to server directory
cd server

# Download update script
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/debojitsantra/BedrockServerTermux/refs/heads/main/update.sh

# Make it executable and run
chmod +x update.sh
./update.sh

⚠️ Important: Always backup your world data before updating!

Accessing Ubuntu Files

File Locations

Your Ubuntu installation files are stored at:

/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/var/lib/proot-distro/installed-rootfs/ubuntu

Or using the shortcut:

$PREFIX/var/lib/proot-distro/installed-rootfs/ubuntu

Access via File Manager

To access your Ubuntu files using an Android file manager (with Storage Access Framework support), create a symbolic link to your Termux home directory:

ln -s $PREFIX/var/lib/proot-distro/installed-rootfs/ubuntu ~/ubuntu

After creating the symlink, you can browse your Ubuntu files at:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.termux/files/home/ubuntu

Note: You'll need a file manager that supports Storage Access Framework (SAF), such as Material Files, Solid Explorer, or MiXplorer.

Installing Mods / Add-ons

This section explains how to install Minecraft Bedrock add-ons (often called "mods") on this server.

Important Notes (Read First)

• Minecraft Bedrock does NOT support Java mods (Forge/Fabric .jar files)
• Bedrock uses Add-ons, which come as:
  1. Behavior Packs (BP) → gameplay logic
  2. Resource Packs (RP) → textures, models, sounds
• Most add-ons require BOTH BP and RP
• Some add-ons will not work on servers at all (see Script/Beta warning below)

---

Step 1: Extract .mcpack Files

1. Rename the file:

   addon.mcpack → addon.zip
   

2. Extract the ZIP file

3. Inside the extracted folder, you must see:

   manifest.json
   

If manifest.json is missing, the add-on will not work.

---

Step 2: Place Packs in Server Folders

From inside Ubuntu:

cd ~/server

Pack Type	Folder
Behavior Pack	behavior_packs/
Resource Pack	resource_packs/

Correct structure:

server/
├── behavior_packs/
│   └── MyAddon_BP/
│       └── manifest.json
├── resource_packs/
│   └── MyAddon_RP/
│       └── manifest.json

⚠️ Do NOT nest folders (no extra subfolder levels).

---

Step 3: Find Your World Folder

Check server.properties:

nano server.properties

Look for:

level-name=Bedrock level

Your world folder:

server/worlds/Bedrock level/

---

Step 4: Enable the Behavior Pack

Create or edit:

nano server/worlds/Bedrock\ level/world_behavior_packs.json

Paste:

[
  {
    "pack_id": "UUID-FROM-BP-manifest",
    "version": [1, 0, 0]
  }
]

Copy the UUID from:

"header": {
  "uuid": "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
}

⚠️ UUID only — no filenames, no extensions.

---

Step 5: Enable the Resource Pack

nano server/worlds/Bedrock\ level/world_resource_packs.json

Paste:

[
  {
    "pack_id": "UUID-FROM-RP-manifest",
    "version": [1, 0, 0]
  }
]

BP UUID and RP UUID are different — this is normal.

---

Step 6: Enable Experimental Features

Edit:

nano server/server.properties

Add:

experimental-gameplay=true

Optional (recommended for testing):

allow-cheats=true

---

Step 7: Restart the Server

stop

Then start again:

./run

---

Checking Logs

If you see:

Configured pack was not found and was ignored
Pack Stack - None

It means:

• Wrong UUID
• Pack folder not found
• Add-on incompatible with server

Success looks like:

Pack Stack - <YourAddonName>

---

Configuration

Server Properties

Edit server settings in server.properties:

cd ~/server
nano server.properties

Key settings to configure:

• server-name - Your server's display name
• gamemode - survival, creative, adventure
• difficulty - peaceful, easy, normal, hard
• max-players - Maximum number of players
• view-distance - Render distance (lower = better performance)
• server-port - Default is 19132

After editing, press Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter to save.

World Management

Your world data is stored in:

~/server/worlds/

To backup your world:

cd ~/server
tar -czf world_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz worlds/

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Server won't start / crashes immediately

Solutions:

• Ensure you're in the /root directory when running ./run
• Check if you have enough free RAM (close other apps)
• Verify Box64 is installed: box64 --version
• Check server logs for specific error messages

Players can't connect to server

Solutions:

• Verify Playit is running in a separate session
• Check your Playit tunnel status at playit.gg
• Ensure server is running and shows "Server started" in logs
• Verify the correct port (usually 19132) is configured
• Make sure you're sharing the correct Playit address

Installation script fails

Solutions:

• Run apt update before retrying
• Check your internet connection
• Ensure you have enough storage space
• Try restarting Termux and starting over
• Make sure Termux is from F-Droid, not Play Store

Server is laggy / slow performance

Solutions:

• Reduce view-distance in server.properties (try 4-6)
• Reduce max-players to 2-5 players
• Close background apps to free up RAM
• Use a device with better specifications
• Reduce simulation distance in server settings

Termux keeps closing / server stops

Solutions:

• Acquire wakelock: termux-wake-lock
• Enable "Don't kill my app" settings for Termux
• Disable battery optimization for Termux
• Keep device plugged in while hosting

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

1. Check the Troubleshooting section
2. Search existing issues
3. Create a new issue with:
   • Your Android version
   • Device model and RAM
   • Complete error messages
   • Steps to reproduce the problem

Performance Considerations

Expected Performance

• Low-end devices (2-3GB RAM): 1-2 players, view distance 4-6
• Mid-range devices (4-6GB RAM): 2-5 players, view distance 6-8
• High-end devices (8GB+ RAM): 5-10 players, view distance 8-10

Optimization Tips

1. Reduce render distance: Lower values significantly improve performance
2. Limit max players: Fewer players = better performance
3. Keep device cool: Overheating causes throttling
4. Close background apps: Free up as much RAM as possible
5. Use WiFi: More stable than mobile data
6. Keep device charged: Low battery can reduce performance

Box64 Translation Overhead

The server runs through Box64 (x86_64 → ARM64 translation), which adds some performance overhead. This is why:

• Server may use more CPU than native
• Some lag is expected compared to PC hosting
• Performance varies by device capabilities

FAQ

Q: Do I need root access?
A: No, this solution works without root privileges.

Q: Can I run this 24/7?
A: Yes, but keep your device plugged in and ensure it doesn't overheat. Enable battery optimization exceptions for Termux.

Q: Is my world data safe?
A: Regular backups are recommended. The server stores worlds in ~/server/worlds/.

Q: Can I use plugins/addons?
A: Yes, you can add behavior packs and resource packs to the server like any Bedrock server.

Q: Does this work on tablets?
A: Yes, any ARM64 Android device can run this.

Q: Can I play on the same device?
A: Yes, but performance will be significantly impacted. Use localhost:19132 to connect.

Q: How much data does hosting use?
A: Varies by player count and activity. Expect 50-200 MB per hour with active players.

Q: Can I use a custom port?
A: Yes, modify server-port in server.properties and configure Playit accordingly.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Here's how you can help:

1. Report bugs: Open an issue with detailed information
2. Suggest features: Share your ideas in the issues section
3. Improve documentation: Submit PRs for documentation improvements
4. Share your experience: Help others in discussions

Development

If you want to contribute code:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

License

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• Termux - Terminal emulator for Android
• proot-distro - Termux package for managing Linux distributions
• Box64 - x86_64 emulator for ARM64
• Playit.gg - Tunneling service for game servers
• Mojang/Microsoft - Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server
• All contributors and users who have helped improve this project

Support & Community

• Website: debojitsantra.vercel.app/BedrockServerTermux
• GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
• Discussions: Share your experience and help others

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Made with ❤️ for the Minecraft community

If you found this helpful, consider giving it a ⭐ on GitHub!

Report Bug • Request Feature • Documentation