Ever wondered how to get your hands on the newest Minecraft content before everyone else? Mojang offers players a chance to test updates ahead of release through Minecraft Snapshots (for Java Edition) and Minecraft Preview (for Bedrock Edition). These early builds include new blocks, mobs, biomes, and even technical improvements. Whether you're bug hunting or just curious, it's a great way to experience future updates before they’re officially launched.
What Are Minecraft Snapshots and Previews?
Each year, Mojang announces a major update during Minecraft Live, introducing game-changing content. Previous updates like Caves and Cliffs, The Wild Update, and Trails and Tales are just a few examples. Before these features go live, they are tested in snapshots (Java) or previews (Bedrock), giving players the opportunity to explore and provide feedback.
Snapshots and previews are experimental versions that let the community report bugs and suggest changes, helping Mojang polish the final release.
What’s New in Minecraft 1.21.6 Pre-release 4?
The fourth pre-release for Minecraft 1.21.6 is now available and contains a few minor bug fixes. This small update could indicate that Mojang is nearly finished with development for this version. If no serious issues arise, Release Candidates—the final test versions—might follow soon. That means the full Chase the Skies update could arrive within the next couple of weeks.
How to Install a Minecraft Snapshot
- If you're using the Java Edition, installing a snapshot is simple:
- Open the Minecraft Launcher.
- Click the dropdown next to the green Play button.
- Select Latest Snapshot from the list.
- Press Play and create a new world as usual.
⚠️ Important: Always back up your worlds before loading them in a snapshot. Some new features may not appear in already generated chunks, so you might need to explore further to see everything.
Enabling Experimental Features
Snapshots often include behind-the-scenes changes, but to unlock new content like unreleased mobs or blocks, you’ll need to turn on experimental features when creating your world:
- Start creating a new world.
- Click on Experimental Features during setup.
- Toggle any available options like “1.21 Features” or “Bundles.”
- Begin your adventure!
Note: You can’t toggle these features on or off later—make sure to choose wisely during world creation.
How to Play Older Snapshots or Versions
Want to revisit a past snapshot or Minecraft version? Follow these steps:
- Launch Minecraft and go to the Installations tab.
- Make sure the Snapshots box is checked.
- Click New Installation.
- Scroll and choose your desired snapshot or version.
- Name your installation and click Create.
- Switch to the Play tab, select your new installation, and press Play.
As always, back up any worlds you open in older versions to prevent corruption or crashes.
Whether you're chasing bugs or just exploring what's next, testing Minecraft snapshots and previews is a fun way to engage with the game’s development. If you prefer to wait for the official update, you can still refresh your world with custom Minecraft maps, texture packs, or try out Minecraft alternatives in the meantime. Happy mining! ⛏️