Can I play snapshots on Bedrock Edition or console?

No. Snapshots are exclusive to Minecraft: Java Edition. If you're on Bedrock (Windows 10/11, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, or mobile), you'll need to use Minecraft Preview instead, which is a separate program available through the Microsoft Store and Xbox Insider Hub.

Will playing a snapshot break my survival world?

It can. Snapshots sometimes change how world data is saved, and opening a world in a snapshot can make it impossible to open in a release version later. Always back up your saves folder before touching any snapshot. Better yet, use the separate Game Directory option in the launcher so snapshot worlds never mix with your main saves.

How do I go back to the release version after playing a snapshot?

Open the Minecraft Launcher, go to the Play tab, and use the version dropdown next to the Play button to switch back to your release installation. Your snapshot installation stays saved -- you're just switching which one you launch. If you set up a separate game directory for the snapshot, your release worlds will be completely unaffected.

Do mods work with snapshots?

Usually not right away. Fabric sometimes releases a build for new snapshots within a day or two, but mod authors need extra time to update their mods. Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt take longer to release snapshot-compatible versions. If you need mods, you're better off staying on the release version unless you specifically want to test mod development builds.

How often does Mojang release new snapshots?

During active development of a major update, Mojang typically drops a new snapshot every Wednesday. That pace slows down as the update gets closer to release and transitions to pre-releases and release candidates. Between major updates, snapshot releases can stop entirely for extended periods.

How to Install Minecraft Snapshots

Minecraft snapshots are weekly development builds that Mojang releases for Java Edition before a major update goes live. They let you try out new features, blocks, and mechanics while the update is still being built, but they come with real risks, so you need to know what you’re getting into.

What You Need Before You Start

Minecraft: Java Edition installed and working (snapshots are Java only)
The official Minecraft Launcher (the one from minecraft.net, not a third-party launcher)
A Microsoft account with an active Java Edition license
A backup of any worlds you care about — this is not optional, snapshots can and do corrupt save files

Your normal release worlds will still be there when you switch back, but keep them backed up just in case. Copy your saves folder somewhere safe before you launch a snapshot for the first time.

How to Enable and Install Snapshots

Open the Minecraft Launcher and sign in if prompted.
Click Minecraft: Java Edition in the left sidebar to make sure you’re on the right game.
Click the Installations tab at the top of the launcher.
In the top-right corner of the Installations screen, you’ll see toggle filters. Enable the Snapshots toggle. It’s usually grayed out by default.
Click + New Installation.
Give the installation a name (something like “Snapshot 1.22”) so you can tell it apart from your release version.
Click the Version dropdown. With snapshots enabled, you’ll now see snapshot builds listed alongside release versions. Pick the one you want — the latest snapshot is always at or near the top.
Optionally, set a separate Game Directory under “More Options.” This keeps snapshot worlds and settings completely isolated from your main install, which is the safest way to run them.
Click Save.
Go back to the Play tab, select your new snapshot installation from the dropdown next to the big Play button, and click Play.

The launcher will download the snapshot files the first time you launch it. Depending on your connection, that usually takes under a minute.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

The snapshot toggle is missing or snapshots don’t appear

Make sure you’re on the Installations tab, not the Play tab. The filter toggles only appear there. If you still don’t see them, try restarting the launcher. Older launcher versions may also lack this toggle — update to the latest version from minecraft.net.

The game crashes immediately on launch

Snapshots are development builds and they break sometimes. Check the crash report in your game directory under crash-reports/. If the snapshot is very new, it might just be a known issue — check Mojang’s Twitter or the official Minecraft feedback site for announcements. Usually waiting a day or two for a hotfix snapshot resolves it.

My old world won’t open in the snapshot

Snapshots can change world format in ways that are hard or impossible to reverse. Opening a world in a snapshot and then trying to open it in a release version will often break it. Always use a copy of your world for testing, never the original.

The snapshot version I want isn’t listed

Mojang only keeps recent snapshots in the launcher. If you’re looking for an older snapshot build, it won’t be there. The launcher is only meant to play current development builds, not an archive of every weekly release.

Mods aren’t working in the snapshot

This is expected. Mod loaders like Fabric sometimes release snapshot-compatible builds quickly, but most mods themselves won’t be updated. If you want mods in a snapshot, check whether a Fabric build exists for that snapshot version first, then check if the specific mods you need have been updated. Most of the time, you’ll have to choose between mods and playing the snapshot. For a full guide on setting up Fabric once a compatible build is available, see how to install the Fabric Loader.

Which Versions and Editions This Applies To

Snapshots are Java Edition only. If you play Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (Windows 10/11, console, mobile), the snapshot system doesn’t apply to you. Bedrock has its own separate program called Minecraft Preview, available through the Microsoft Store and Xbox Insider Hub, which serves a similar purpose but works differently.

Snapshots have been a regular part of Java Edition development since around 2012 and are available going back through many major versions. When a new major update is in development, Mojang typically releases snapshot builds every Wednesday until the update launches. Between major updates, snapshots may stop for weeks or months. There’s no schedule guarantee.

Pre-releases and Release Candidates also show up in the same snapshots section of the launcher. These are closer to the final build and tend to be more stable than the earlier weekly snapshots. If stability matters to you, waiting for a pre-release is usually the better call.