Updated 4 November 2026
If a friend gets "Outdated client", "Outdated server" or "Incompatible client" when joining, their Minecraft version is different from your server's. On a Paper server, install the free plugins ViaVersion (lets newer game versions join an older server) and ViaBackwards (lets older game versions join a newer server), restart, and both can play together.
What ViaVersion supports was checked on 28 October 2026 on its official GitHub page and on Modrinth.
Which plugin do you need?
| Situation | Install |
|---|---|
| Your friend already updated their game, the server is still on the older version | ViaVersion |
| The server is on the newest version, a friend hasn't updated yet | ViaVersion + ViaBackwards |
| Someone plays very old versions (1.7 or 1.8, for example for PvP) | ViaVersion + ViaBackwards + ViaRewind |
| Bedrock players (phone, console) on your Java server | Geyser, not ViaVersion; see Geyser |
ViaBackwards and ViaRewind only work together with ViaVersion. According to the project, ViaBackwards supports clients down to 1.9 and ViaRewind adds 1.7 and 1.8.
Install on a Paper server
- Open your server in SparkPanel and go to the Plugins tab.
- Search for ViaVersion and install it. Need older clients too? Also install ViaBackwards (and ViaRewind for 1.7/1.8).
- Restart the server. In the console you see ViaVersion load; type
viaversionto check it is running. - Let your friend join again with their own version.
Rather upload by hand? Download the files from modrinth.com/plugin/viaversion (and viabackwards) and put them in plugins/ under Files.
Good to know
- After a big Minecraft update, ViaVersion is usually released a few days later (the project says so itself). Until then, players on the brand-new version can't join an older server. Keep ViaVersion up to date via the Plugins tab.
- Older clients see a translated world. With ViaBackwards, blocks and items that don't exist in their version are shown as something similar. Fine for playing together; the player on the newest version sees everything.
- Modded servers (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, modpacks) are different: every player needs the same Minecraft version and the same mods. Fabric servers can use ViaFabric, but with a modpack it is simpler to agree on one version.
- Can you change the server version instead? Moving the server to a newer version is safe: make a backup and see Update your Minecraft server. Going back to an older version with an existing world can break the world, so don't do that without a backup.
Which plan?
ViaVersion and ViaBackwards are light plugins and work on every plan. For a few friends, 2 GB (€1.89 per month paid per quarter, €2.19 with monthly billing) is enough; with 5 to 15 players and more plugins, take 4 GB (€4.19 / €4.39). See Minecraft server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I let players with a different Minecraft version join my server? On a Paper server, install ViaVersion (newer clients on an older server) and ViaBackwards (older clients on a newer server), then restart. In SparkPanel both are in the Plugins tab.
What does "Outdated server" mean? The player's game is newer than the server. Install ViaVersion on the server, or update the server to the newest version after making a backup.
What does "Outdated client" mean? The player's game is older than the server. Install ViaVersion plus ViaBackwards on the server, or ask the player to update Minecraft.
Does ViaVersion work with modpacks? Not reliably. With mods, everyone should use the same Minecraft version and the same modpack.
Do players need to install anything? No. ViaVersion and ViaBackwards only go on the server.