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How do you test the latest Minecraft features? These snapshots are the very first iteration of Minecraft updates and are a way for Mojang to test out bug fixes, technical changes, and even new blocks, biomes, and mobs before officially rolling them out. Anyone with the Java edition of the creative game can try these features without any risk to your current world, while Minecraft Preview exists for those on Bedrock edition, so read on to find out how to be the first to try the next big Minecraft update.
During Minecraft Live, the next big Minecraft update or drop is revealed to the community. At past events, we’ve had the likes of the Caves and Cliffs update, The Wild Update, and the Trails and Tales update – each of them overhauling the base game with new Minecraft biomes, blocks, and mobs. Since these updates come with so much new content, they need to be tested out first, and that’s where Minecraft snapshots and Minecraft Preview come in. Use them to test out new experimental features before anyone else, and feedback to Mojang if you have any issues. It’s a win-win situation.
Minecraft Preview 1.21.50
Players can test out the newest experimental features in Bedrock before Java this time around, as eyeblossoms and resin arrive in Minecraft Preview. To play, click ‘Latest Preview’ in the Bedrock section of the launcher.
Right now, doing this means you can check out the dynamic eyeblossom flower, which only appears in the new Pale Garden biome, and only open up during the night. Plus, resin is a new material that can only be gathered by killing Creakings around the biome. Then and only then does the substance start to appear in tree bark around you. Interesting stuff.
The latest snapshot is actually the same build as the new version this week thanks to the Bundles of Bravery drop. To test out the upcoming Pale Garden and Creaking features, start a new world and turn on experimental features.
Unfortunately, you can’t check out resin and eyeblossoms in Java edition just yet as they are exclusive to Bedrock review right now, but they’ll arrive in a future snapshot.
We’ve got more information on the next Minecraft updates in a separate guide, but the most exciting part is of course the new biome and mob. The Pale Garden is the most unique biome to date, changing when night hits with an eery, silent atmosphere and new creepy wooden mob.
Follow the instructions below to jump into a Pale Garden, and be sure to both load into the new snapshot and turn on experimental features before loading into a new world, or the biome and mob won’t appear. Then, use that new wood type to test out some new Minecraft house designs, and check out the best Minecraft seeds for finding the new biome quickly.
How to install a Minecraft snapshot
Play the latest Minecraft snapshot straight from the Minecraft Launcher. Click the installation dropdown to the left of the green ‘Play’ button and select ‘latest snapshot’ from the list. Hit play, and set up a new world as normal.
You can load into existing worlds, but you should back them up first in case it gets corrupted. If you load into an existing world, it’s worth remembering that some features won’t be available in loaded chunks, and you might need to explore the further reaches of your world.
How to turn on experimental features
As standard, snapshots only include bug features and technical changes. To play with new experimental features, including future content changes, you must turn on experimental features. This should be done when you create the world, as they cannot be turned on or off later. To enable experimental features:
- Go to create a new world as normal
- On the main world creation page, click ‘Experimental Features’
- Turn on any toggles you wish to see in your world, such as 1.21 features, or even long-awaited bundles!
- Start your world
How to change Minecraft snapshot
You can also play old Minecraft snapshots, too. This requires a few extra steps and is the same as loading into old versions of Minecraft. To install and play an old Minecraft version or snapshot:
- Open the Minecraft Launcher
- Click the ‘Installations’ tab
- For snapshots, ensure that the ‘snapshots’ box is checked
- Click ‘New Installation’
- Scroll down the dropdown list for your desired Minecraft version
- Name your installation
- Click ‘Create’
- Select the ‘Play’ tab at the top of the Launcher
- Find your installation in the dropdown
- Hit ‘Play’!
Again, you should always back up any existing worlds you load into with this installation, just in case it crashes and you lose progress. There are probably not many reasons you would want to revisit an old snapshot unless it’s to test something that was changed or never made it to the game. If you are unsure which snapshot you’re looking for, there are full changelogs available at minecraft.net.
Now you know how to test the latest features with Minecraft snapshots, go and have fun with them! If you’d rather wait until the full release of these features and enjoy the experience as a whole, but are still looking for something new to do with your Minecraft world, why not try out some of our favorite Minecraft texture packs and Minecraft maps, or check out some incredible Minecraft builds for some inspiration. Maybe even a completely new game like Minecraft – but do come back for the next update!
