How to Get Into Minecraft Betas

Most weeks we release early versions of Minecraft updates to test out new features, shake out the wrinkles and squish the bugs before they reach a wider audience. It’s a cool way for players such as yourself to check out the new stuff that we’re working on before it officially releases!

If the prospect of seeing new things first has you excited, and you don’t mind potentially running into a few bugs along the way, then have a look at your preferred platform here below!

But be aware: 

• These versions are by their nature a bit unstable, and things are likely to be weird, wonky, or just plain wrong.  

• The game may crash and things you build might get corrupted. It’s a small risk, but a risk nonetheless!

• These versions do not have access to Realms or Featured Servers, and can only play in multiplayer worlds with other players on the same version of the game.

ANDROID

Disclaimer: You need to own the original Minecraft game to try out upcoming Minecraft features on Android.

Android has a Beta program that you can join at any time. Please note that by joining this Beta you replace your standard version of Minecraft with the Beta version. 

To join the Android Beta, find the official Minecraft app in the Google Play store. Scroll down to the “Join the Beta” section and click on “Join”. Wait a few minutes and launch your regular Minecraft app. Note that this may take a while, but eventually your app will switch to the beta version. If you later decide to leave the Beta, simply go back to the Google Play store and scroll down to “You’re a beta tester” and click “Leave”. Your app will eventually switch back to the regular Minecraft version.

Additionally, you may need to activate experimental features in the game to test the latest Minecraft features.

Enter the “Create New World” or “Edit World” setting. If you are creating a new world, go to the “Game” setting, scroll down to “Experiments” and click on the toggle you want to activate. You will get a popup asking if you want to "Activate Experimental Gameplay?". Click on "Activate Experiments". If you are using an existing world, this will create a copy of your world that will get the same name as the original world with “Copy of...” added in front of it.

You can find more information about feature toggles for Bedrock Edition here.

WINDOWS 10 & 11

Disclaimer: You need to own the original Minecraft game, subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass to try out upcoming Minecraft features on Windows. 

Java Edition

In the Java Edition, we put out regular test versions known as Snapshots. In the Minecraft Launcher, select the latest snapshot by clicking the arrow next to the Play button on the main tab and then click the Play button.

You may need to activate experimental features in the game to test the latest Minecraft features.

Enter the “Create New World” setting. Click on “Data Packs” and select the data pack you want to play. Click on “Done” and when you get to the next screen, click on “Create New World”.

You can find more information about feature toggles for Java Edition here.

Bedrock Edition

In the Bedrock Edition, test versions are regularly put out in Minecraft Preview. You can download and access Minecraft Preview by selecting the “Minecraft Preview” tab in the Minecraft Launcher and clicking the “Install” or “Play” button. 

You may need to activate experimental features in the game to test the latest Minecraft features. 

Enter the “Create New World” or “Edit World” setting. If you are creating a new world, go to the “Game” setting, scroll down to “Experiments” and click on the toggle you want to activate. You will get a popup asking if you want to "Activate Experimental Gameplay?". Click on "Activate Experiments". If you are using an existing world, this will create a copy of your world that will get the same name as the original world with “Copy of...” added in front of it.

You can find more information about feature toggles for Bedrock Edition here.

XBOX ONE

Disclaimer: You need to own the digital version of the Minecraft game to try out upcoming Minecraft features on Xbox, it is included in Xbox Game Pass. Unfortunately, Preview is not available to use for Disc owners. 

In the Bedrock Edition, test versions are regularly put out in Minecraft Preview. Search for Minecraft Preview in the Microsoft Store and click Install on the resulting product page. Now you can open Minecraft Preview and click “Play Preview” to get started. 

You may need to activate experimental features in the game to test the latest Minecraft features.

Enter the “Create New World” or “Edit World” setting. If you are creating a new world, go to the “Game” setting, scroll down to “Experiments” and click on the toggle you want to activate. You will get a popup asking if you want to "Activate Experimental Gameplay?". Click on "Activate Experiments". If you are using an existing world, this will create a copy of your world that will get the same name as the original world with “Copy of...” added in front of it.

You can find more information about feature toggles for Bedrock Edition here.

iOS

IPhones and iPads now have Minecraft Preview, which players can opt into via this link and follow the instructions when slots are available. While the slots are limited, we will open more up periodically, and we’ll remove inactive players to let new folks in.

You may need to activate experimental features in the game to test the latest Minecraft features.

Enter the “Create New World” or “Edit World” setting. If you are creating a new world, go to the “Game” setting, scroll down to “Experiments” and click on the toggle you want to activate. You will get a popup asking if you want to "Activate Experimental Gameplay?". Click on "Activate Experiments". If you are using an existing world, this will create a copy of your world that will get the same name as the original world with “Copy of...” added in front of it.

You can find more information about feature toggles for Bedrock Edition here.

MACOS & LINUX

Disclaimer: You need to own the original Minecraft game to try out upcoming Minecraft features on MacOS and Linux.

In the Java Edition, we put out regular test versions known as Snapshots. In the Minecraft Launcher, select the latest snapshot by clicking the arrow next to the Play button on the main tab and the click the Play button.

You may need to activate experimental features in the game to test the latest Minecraft features.

Enter the “Create New World” setting. Click on “Data Packs” and select the data pack you want to play. Click on “Done” and when you get to the next screen, click on “Create New World”.

You can find more information about feature toggles for Java Edition here.

FEEDBACK AND BUGS

Please report all your bugs at bugs.mojang.com & please let us know what you think about the beta by pressing the feedback button in the game or visiting feedback.minecraft.net.

That’s it! Have fun and test away!

Learn more about Minecraft Bedrock Preview version on the Minecraft Preview FAQ!