--- title: "ViaVersion and ViaBackwards: how to set up on your server | StreetHosting" description: "Set up ViaVersion, ViaBackwards and ViaRewind so one Minecraft server accepts several client versions, with Velocity placement and each plugin's limits." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- Minecraft · 9 min · Intermediate Published on Sep 28, 2026 · Updated on Sep 28, 2026 # How to let players on different Minecraft versions join the same server ViaVersion, ViaBackwards and ViaRewind translate the conversation between client and server so every player can join with the version they have. See which combination to install, where to put it in a Velocity network and what the translation does not fix. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Minecraft plugins](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/plugins) [Paper, Spigot and proxies](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/server-software) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fviaversion-viabackwards-setup.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fviaversion-viabackwards-setup.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. 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"Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=ViaVersion%20and%20ViaBackwards%3A%20how%20to%20set%20up%20on%20your%20server&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fviaversion-viabackwards-setup "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fviaversion-viabackwards-setup "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fviaversion-viabackwards-setup "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=ViaVersion%20and%20ViaBackwards%3A%20how%20to%20set%20up%20on%20your%20server%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fminecraft%2Fviaversion-viabackwards-setup "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup.md) In this guide 7 sections * [What each plugin does](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#o-que-cada-um-faz) * [Which combination to install](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#qual-combinacao) * [Step-by-step install on Paper](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#instalacao) * [Useful config.yml settings](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#configuracao) * [Velocity: proxy or backend?](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#proxy-ou-backend) * [What translation does not fix](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#limitacoes) * [Where to host](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#onde-hospedar) Quick answer **ViaVersion** lets players on newer Minecraft versions join an older server. **ViaBackwards** goes the other way, accepting older versions on a newer server, and depends on ViaVersion. For 1.7 and 1.8 clients, add ViaRewind. Put the jars in the Paper `plugins` folder, restart and check who joined with which version using `/viaversion list`. ## What each plugin does[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#o-que-cada-um-faz) Every Minecraft client talks to the server through a protocol that changes with each version. When the numbers do not match, the connection is refused with that outdated version message. The Via family translates that protocol in real time, packet by packet, so the server keeps running a single version while each player joins with their own. If you want the opposite, that is, to make everyone use the same version, the path is simpler and lives in the guide on the [outdated client or outdated server error](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/fix-minecraft-outdated-client). Here the goal is to accept more than one version at the same time, without forcing anyone to change their launcher profile. | Plugin | What it allows | Requires | | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | | ViaVersion | Newer clients joining an older server | Only the Paper server or the Velocity proxy | | ViaBackwards | Older clients joining a newer server (server 1.10 or higher) | ViaVersion | | ViaRewind | 1.7 and 1.8 clients joining a newer server | ViaVersion and ViaBackwards | All three are maintained by the same team and published on Hangar, Modrinth and the project's GitHub. Always download from those pages: a jar re-uploaded by a third party on a forum or Discord group is a common way to slip malicious code into a server. Don't confuse it with Geyser. Geyser bridges Java and Bedrock, as explained in the guide on [crossplay between Java and Bedrock](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/geyser-crossplay-minecraft). The Via family only handles different Java Edition versions, and the two can coexist on the same server. ## Which combination to install[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#qual-combinacao) The rule that avoids confusion is this: the server version defines what exists in the world, and the Via plugins only adjust the conversation with players on another version. So decide first which version the server will run, and only then pick the plugins. | Server version | Who you want to accept | Install | | --------------- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | | Current version | Players on older versions | ViaVersion and ViaBackwards | | Older version | Players on newer versions | ViaVersion | | Current version | Players on 1.7 and 1.8 | ViaVersion, ViaBackwards and ViaRewind | | Any | Only players on the same version | None: just align the launcher | * **Server on the newest version:** all the recent content exists in the world. With ViaVersion and ViaBackwards, players who have not updated the game yet keep joining normally. * **Server on an older version:** common when an essential plugin stopped being updated or when the community likes a specific version. Only ViaVersion solves it, because the problem is the client being ahead of the server. * **Classic PvP community:** you can run a modern version accepting 1.8 through ViaRewind, or run 1.8 accepting newer clients through ViaVersion. Combat follows the server version, so this choice changes the fight for everyone. Talk to the community first. When in doubt, run the server on the newest version all your essential plugins support and accept the older ones with ViaBackwards. To change the server version itself, see [how to change the server version from the control panel](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/change-minecraft-server-version). ## Step-by-step install on Paper[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#instalacao) The process is the same as for any plugin. The difference is that dependency order matters: ViaBackwards does not load without ViaVersion, and ViaRewind does not load without the other two. 1. Take a backup before touching anything, following the guide on [Minecraft server backup and restore](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/minecraft-server-backup). 2. Stop the server from the control panel. 3. Download the latest version of each plugin. An old ViaVersion build does not know about clients released after it. 4. Upload the jars to the `plugins` folder through the control panel's file manager or over SFTP. 5. Start the server and read the console. A dependency error on ViaBackwards almost always means ViaVersion is missing or outdated. 6. Join with a client on another version and run the list command to see each player grouped by the version they are using. These are the two commands you will use most. The first shows who is on each version; the second generates a link with a full diagnostic, useful when you need to ask support or the plugin team for help. `/viaversion list /viaversion dump` To check from the outside which version the server advertises in the server list, look up the address on [MC Status](https://mcstatus.streethosting.com.br/?utm%5Fsource=streethosting&utm%5Fmedium=site&utm%5Fcampaign=tools&utm%5Fcontent=guia%3Aconfigurar-viaversion-viabackwards). When a new Minecraft version comes out, wait for the ViaVersion update before announcing that it is accepted. Until then, anyone who updates the game on day one may be refused. ## Useful config.yml settings[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#configuracao) ViaVersion works with no configuration at all. The file lives at `plugins/ViaVersion/config.yml` and is worth opening for two reasons: refusing versions you do not want to support and showing a clear message to anyone who gets refused. `# Refuse everything below 1.17 block-versions: ["<1.17"] # Message shown to refused players block-disconnect-msg: "Use version 1.17 or newer to join the server."` The list accepts exact versions and the `<` and `>` prefixes. The file itself ships with the example `["<1.16", "1.16.4", ">1.17.1"]`, which blocks everything below 1.16, 1.16.4 specifically and everything above 1.17.1. Save, restart and test with a client on a blocked version to see the message. * **Packet limiter:** the `packet-limiter` section comes enabled and kicks clients that send too many packets per second. Leave it as is; it helps against modified clients. * **Versions in the ping:** the `send-supported-versions` option comes disabled and, when enabled, sends the accepted versions in the status response. Only turn it on if a server list site asks for it. * **Updates:** the new version check comes enabled and notifies operators at login. Keep it, because ViaVersion has to keep up with every Minecraft release. ## Velocity: proxy or backend?[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#proxy-ou-backend) On a proxied network, the ViaVersion documentation is direct: install it in one place only, on the proxy or on the servers behind it. Both at the same time cause problems. Each option has its trade-off. * **On the Paper backends:** translation happens close to the game, with access to the full server state. The anticheat sees the data more faithfully, and each backend can run a different version with its own Via set. This is the most common path when you control every server on the network. * **On the Velocity proxy:** a single place to keep updated. In exchange, the documentation warns that anticheats may work worse and that some visual details of old versions disappear, such as sword blocking on 1.8 servers. If ViaVersion stays only on the backends, Velocity has to recognize the client version to let the connection through. Keep the proxy updated along with the plugins. On BungeeCord, support comes from a separate integration project that the ViaVersion team itself points to, and on a Fabric server the equivalent is ViaFabric, installed as a mod. The full lobby and backend architecture is in [Velocity and BungeeCord in a server network](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/velocity-vs-bungeecord). ## What translation does not fix[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#limitacoes) The translation is very good, but it is not magic. The server stays on a single version, and a player on another version gets an adaptation. These are the points that generate complaints on Discord when nobody warned about them beforehand. * **New blocks and items become substitutes:** with ViaBackwards, the old client does not know what was released after it. New blocks, items and mobs show up as something similar it does know. It is playable, but a builder can mistake one block for another. * **Different mechanics:**swimming, crawling and movements that do not exist in the client's version look odd on that player's screen. Combat follows the rules of the server's version, not the player's. * **Anticheat:** movement and hitbox differences between versions can produce false positives. Test the anticheat with players on the oldest versions you accept before enabling automatic punishment. * **Resource pack:**the resource pack format changes between versions. A pack built for the server's version may warn or fail on very different clients. If you use your own pack, test it with a client on the oldest and another on the newest version the server accepts. * **Plugins that touch packets:** the documentation lists known conflicts, such as ProtocolSupport, which does the same job and must not run alongside it. Disguise, NPC and skin plugins also deserve testing. Don't announce support for a version you have not tested. Join with a client from each end of the range, walk through spawn, menus, shops and combat, and only then publish on Discord which versions the server accepts. ## Where to host[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#onde-hospedar) The Via family is lightweight. The cost comes from translating packets for each player on a different version, small next to what the world and the other plugins consume. What decides the plan is still player count, number of plugins and world size, as shown in the guide on [how many players fit on your server](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/how-many-players-can-a-minecraft-server-hold). On [StreetHosting's Minecraft hosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft), with a datacenter in São Paulo, the Budget line with DDR4 starts at R$ 34.00 per month, with 4 GB of RAM, 300% CPU and 30 GB NVMe. The [Minecraft Pro](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) line, with Ryzen and DDR5, starts at R$ 44.00 for the same configuration and goes up to R$ 88.00 with 8 GB, 500% CPU and 60 GB NVMe, a range that usually serves a community with land protection, an economy and players on mixed versions. Mods and plugins are allowed on every plan, so the Via family jars go in through the file manager like any other plugin. * Server version chosen by the compatibility of your essential plugins * ViaVersion, ViaBackwards and ViaRewind downloaded from an official source * Installed in one place only: backend or proxy * Unwanted versions blocked with a message in your players' language * Anticheat tested with old clients * Accepted version range published on Discord In this guide * [What each plugin does](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#o-que-cada-um-faz) * [Which combination to install](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#qual-combinacao) * [Step-by-step install on Paper](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#instalacao) * [Useful config.yml settings](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#configuracao) * [Velocity: proxy or backend?](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#proxy-ou-backend) * [What translation does not fix](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#limitacoes) * [Where to host](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/minecraft/viaversion-viabackwards-setup#onde-hospedar) ## Frequently asked questions What is the difference between ViaVersion and ViaBackwards? ViaVersion lets newer clients join an older server. ViaBackwards does the opposite, accepting older clients on a newer server, and only works with ViaVersion installed alongside it. On many servers the two run side by side. How do I let 1.8 players join my server? Install ViaRewind together with ViaVersion and ViaBackwards. It accepts 1.7 and 1.8 clients on newer servers. Combat still follows the rules of the server's version, so test PvP with your community before announcing it. Should I install ViaVersion on Velocity or on Paper? On one of the two, never on both at the same time. On the Paper servers the translation is more faithful and the anticheat works better; on Velocity you keep a single place to update. If you choose the Paper servers, keep Velocity updated so it recognizes new versions. Why do some blocks look different for players on an older version? The old client does not know about blocks, items and mobs released after it. ViaBackwards swaps that content for something similar the client knows how to draw. It is a limitation of the translation, not an installation error. How do I block very old versions even with ViaVersion installed? The config.yml in the ViaVersion folder has a blocked versions list that accepts values like <1.17, refusing everything below that version. Also replace the disconnect message with one in your players' language saying which version to use. Next step Minecraft plans Compare Minecraft hosting options in Brazil. [Minecraft plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft) [See Minecraft Pro Managed hosting on Ryzen with modpacks, optimized Paper and technical support.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/minecraft-pro) ## Related guides [Minecraft Beginner How to fix the outdated client or outdated server error in Minecraft This error shows up when the client and the server run different versions. 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