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

  1. 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.
  2. 2
    Log in if necessary. If prompted, enter your email address and password, then click LOG IN.
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  3. 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.
  4. 4
    Click PLAY. It's the green button at the bottom of the launcher. This will prompt the update to begin downloading.
  5. 5
    Wait for the update to finish downloading. Once the green progress bar at the bottom of the launcher window disappears, you can proceed with playing Minecraft.
  6. 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:
  7. 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:
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

On iPhone

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Tap Updates. It's in the lower-right side of the screen. A list of apps which need updating will appear.
  3. 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.
  4. 4
    Tap UPDATE. It's to the right of the Minecraft heading. Doing so prompts Minecraft to begin updating.
  5. 5
    Wait for the update to finish downloading. Once you see the OPEN button appear next to the Minecraft heading, you can proceed with playing your updated version of Minecraft.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

On Android

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Tap . It's in the upper-left side of the screen. A pop-out menu will appear on the left side of the screen.
  3. 3
    Tap My apps & games. You'll find this option near the top of the pop-out menu.
  4. 4
    Tap the UPDATES tab. It's in the upper-left side of the "My apps & games" page.
  5. 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.
  6. 6
    Tap UPDATE. It should be to the right of the Minecraft heading. Doing so prompts Minecraft to begin updating.
  7. 7
    Wait for the update to finish downloading. Once you see OPEN appear to the right of the Minecraft heading, you can proceed with playing your updated version of Minecraft.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

On Xbox One

  1. 1
    Open My apps & games. This option is on your Xbox One dashboard.
  2. 2
    Select Games. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  3. 3
    Select Minecraft. Scroll through your games until you find the Minecraft heading, then make sure it's selected.
  4. 4
    Press the "Menu" button. It's on the right side of the Guide button on your Xbox One controller. A menu will appear.
  5. 5
    Select Manage game & add-ons. This is in the menu. Doing so opens the game's page.
  6. 6
    Select the Updates tab. It's in the left-hand pane.
  7. 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.
  8. 8
    Follow any on-screen prompts. 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.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

On PlayStation 4

  1. 1
    Select Minecraft. Go to your game library (or find Minecraft on the dashboard), then move the selection over to cover Minecraft.
  2. 2
    Press OPTIONS. It's the oval button in the upper-right corner of your controller. A menu will appear.
  3. 3
    Select Check for Update. This option is in the menu.
  4. 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.
  5. 5
    Wait for the update to finish downloading. 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. 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.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

On Switch

  1. 1
    Select Minecraft. Go to the Home page, then move the selection until you've selected Minecraft.[1]
    • The Minecraft cartridge must be inserted into your Nintendo Switch in order for this to work.
  2. 2
    Open the "Options" page. With Minecraft selected, press the + or - button to open the "Options" page.[2]
  3. 3
    Select Software update. It's in the "Options" menu.
  4. 4
    Select Via the Internet. This option will appear in a pop-up window. Doing so prompts Minecraft to begin updating.
  5. 5
    Follow any on-screen prompts. If you see any prompts asking for permission or alerting you that more updates are available, follow them as needed.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Do you have to delete mods to update?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. You just can't use your mods in the update unless you download them again.
  • Question
    How do I get an instant update?
    Andrew Plays
    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.
  • Question
    How do I update minecraft I've downloaded from Google?
    Lj1502
    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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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.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 415,169 times.
44 votes - 43%
Co-authors: 23
Updated: December 30, 2022
Views: 415,169
Categories: Minecraft
Article SummaryX

1. Open the Launcher.
2. Look for "Download" on the "PLAY" button.
3. Click PLAY.
4. Re-download if necessary.

Did this summary help you?
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