How to Update Minecraft

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

This wikiHow teaches you how to update your version of Minecraft. While Minecraft should usually update on its own regardless of the platform on which you play it, you can sometimes force a stuck update by updating manually. Keep in mind that you must be connected to the Internet on your selected platform in order to download a Minecraft update.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

On Desktop

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1
Open the Minecraft launcher. Click or double-click the Minecraft app icon, which resembles a grassy block of dirt.
- If you're using the Windows 10 edition of Minecraft, you can't update manually.
If prompted, enter your email address and password, then click LOG IN.

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3
Look for a "Download" tag in the PLAY button. If you see the word "Download" followed by a version number under the PLAY text in the green button at the bottom of the launcher, an update is available for your version of Minecraft.
- If you don't see any "Download" tag even though you know there's an update available, skip the next two steps.
It's the green button at the bottom of the launcher. This will prompt the update to begin downloading.
Once the green progress bar at the bottom of the launcher window disappears, you can proceed with playing Minecraft.
6
Re-download Minecraft if necessary. If Minecraft refuses to update even though an update is available in your area, you can try to get the update by re-downloading the most recent version of the Minecraft installer. To do so, uninstall Minecraft from your computer, then do the following:
- Go to https://minecraft.net/en-us/profile/ and log in if necessary.
- Click DOWNLOAD in the top-left side of the page.
- Click the green DOWNLOAD button in the middle of the page.
7
Upgrade to the Minecraft for Windows 10 edition. If you have a Windows 10 computer on which you own the Java edition of Minecraft, you can upgrade to the Windows 10 edition free of charge by doing the following:
- Go to https://account.mojang.com/me and log in with your Minecraft account if prompted.
- Click Redeem under the "Minecraft for Windows 10" heading.
- Sign into your Microsoft account if prompted.
- Click Next on the "Redeem" page.
- Click Confirm.
- Open the Microsoft Store from Start
  on your computer.
- Search for "Minecraft", then click Install on the Minecraft page.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

On iPhone

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Tap the App Store app icon, which resembles a white "A" on a light-blue background.
It's in the lower-right side of the screen. A list of apps which need updating will appear.
3
Look for Minecraft. Scroll down (if necessary) to find the "Minecraft" app icon and heading.
- If you don't see Minecraft listed here, an update is not available for it. If your Minecraft isn't up to date, this may be because your iPhone doesn't support the most recent update, or the most recent update may not yet be available in your area.
It's to the right of the Minecraft heading. Doing so prompts Minecraft to begin updating.
Once you see the OPEN button appear next to the Minecraft heading, you can proceed with playing your updated version of Minecraft.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

On Android

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Tap the Play Store app icon, which resembles a multicolored triangle on a white background.
It's in the upper-left side of the screen. A pop-out menu will appear on the left side of the screen.
You'll find this option near the top of the pop-out menu.
It's in the upper-left side of the "My apps & games" page.
5
Look for Minecraft. Scroll down (if necessary) until you find the "Minecraft" heading and app icon.
- If you don't see Minecraft listed here, an update is not available for it. If your Minecraft isn't up to date, this may be because your Android doesn't support the most recent update, or the most recent update may not yet be available in your area.
It should be to the right of the Minecraft heading. Doing so prompts Minecraft to begin updating.
Once you see OPEN appear to the right of the Minecraft heading, you can proceed with playing your updated version of Minecraft.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

On Xbox One

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This option is on your Xbox One dashboard.
It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Scroll through your games until you find the Minecraft heading, then make sure it's selected.
It's on the right side of the Guide button on your Xbox One controller. A menu will appear.
This is in the menu. Doing so opens the game's page.
It's in the left-hand pane.
7
Select the update. If the update doesn't begin downloading automatically, select it and press A to prompt it to begin downloading.
- If you don't see an update here, Minecraft is up to date in your region.
If asked to confirm the update or select an installation location, do so. Once the update is finished installing, you should be able to play Minecraft like usual.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

On PlayStation 4

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Go to your game library (or find Minecraft on the dashboard), then move the selection over to cover Minecraft.
It's the oval button in the upper-right corner of your controller. A menu will appear.
This option is in the menu.
4
Select Go to [Downloads] when prompted. This will take you to the Downloads page, which is where you can view your update's download status.
- If you instead receive a prompt that says "The installed application is the latest version", you cannot update Minecraft now.
This may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Once you see "Ready to install" under the update, you can proceed.
6
Install the update. Select the update, press X, and press X again when a drop-down menu appears. The update will begin installing onto your PS4's hard drive.
- You shouldn't have to do anything while the update is installing, but make sure you follow any on-screen prompts if they appear.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

On Switch

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1
Select Minecraft. Go to the Home page, then move the selection until you've selected Minecraft.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The Minecraft cartridge must be inserted into your Nintendo Switch in order for this to work.
With Minecraft selected, press the + or - button to open the "Options" page.^{[2]
X
Research source}
It's in the "Options" menu.
This option will appear in a pop-up window. Doing so prompts Minecraft to begin updating.
If you see any prompts asking for permission or alerting you that more updates are available, follow them as needed.

Community Q&A

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Question

Do you have to delete mods to update?

Community Answer

No. You just can't use your mods in the update unless you download them again.

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Question

How do I get an instant update?

Andrew Plays

Community Answer

This depends on what system you have. If you have: Console Editions: it should prompt you to update the game or Pocket Edition (PE): look for updates from the app where you bought the game.

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Question

How do I update minecraft I've downloaded from Google?

Lj1502

Community Answer

Just search for the latest version of Minecraft PE and download it. Before you can install the new version, you have to uninstall your old one. Back up everything you have, so you do not lose everything.

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Tips

It's always a good idea to check the update notes and feedback for the current version of Minecraft. If you see that the newest version is deleting people's saves or corrupting worlds, you might want to hold off until a patch or new update fixes the problem.

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Warnings

Updating Minecraft soon after the update is released can make third-party mods and texture packs stop working. Back everything up before you update if you downloaded any mods.

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