How to Install Beta and Preview Versions of Minecraft

Minecraft developer Mojang actively releases new features and if you want to be part of the group that gets to try everything before it actually releases, you can do so on any platform. 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. If you do not mind the bugs and possible crashes, here’s how you can download the beta and preview versions of Minecraft on Android, Windows, Xbox, iOS, macOS and Linux.

How to Download the Minecraft beta on Android

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. 

1. Enter the “Create New World” or “Edit World” setting

2. If you are creating a new world, go to the “Game” setting and scroll down to “Experiments”

3. Click on the toggle you want to activate

4. You will get a popup asking if you want to "Activate Experimental Gameplay?"

5. 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.

How to Download the Minecraft Beta on Windows

Java Edition

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”.

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. 

How to Download the Minecraft Beta on Xbox

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. 

1. Enter the “Create New World” or “Edit World” setting

2. If you are creating a new world, go to the “Game” setting and scroll down to “Experiments”

3. Click on the toggle you want to activate

4. You will get a popup asking if you want to "Activate Experimental Gameplay?"

5. Click on "Activate Experiments"

How to Download the Minecraft Beta on iOS 

iPhones and iPads now have Minecraft Preview, which players can opt into via this link, download and install the Testflight app and follow the instructions when slots are available.

When a slot becomes available, make sure you have installed the Testflight app and click on “Start Testing” under Step 2: Join the Beta. This will open the Testflight app, where a menu for Minecraft Preview will open automatically. Click on “Accept” and then “Install”. When it is finished installing, click on “Open”. Sign in with your Microsoft Account and click on “Play Preview”.