Minecraft Wiki
(→‎Snapshots no longer available in the launcher: step 6 is applicable to that other subsection as well)
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{{exclusive|java}}
Installing snapshots gives us a preview of the upcoming Minecraft version, however a lot of people don't know how to use or install them. Read on to find out.
 
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It is possible to play a future snapshot in Minecraft, as well as previous versions that have been released, and it is quite easy too. However, many people don't know how to use or install them. This tutorial shows you how to install and play any type of snapshot, development version, or previously released version that is available in the launcher, as well as snapshots that are no longer available in the launcher.
   
== Snapshots available in the launcher ==
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== Available in the launcher ==
   
 
[[File:profileeditor-snapshot.png|thumb|300px|Check ''Enable snapshots'' to select snapshot builds.]]
To play a snapshot, first download the [[Minecraft launcher]]. The download link is available on the website at [http://minecraft.net/download minecraft.net/download].
 
   
 
To play a snapshot, first, download the [[Minecraft launcher]]. The download link is available at [http://minecraft.net/download minecraft.net/download].
[[File:profileeditor-snapshot.png|thumb|300px|right|Check ''Enable experimental development versions("snapshots")'', now you are able to select snapshot builds. 'Snapshot 1.6.2' means 1.6.2 pre-release.]]
 
   
By default, you can choose and play release versions of ''Minecraft'', e.g. 1.5.2, 1.6.4, 1.7.2 and so forth. Also available are the development snapshots for the upcoming release, or for the most recent release if snapshots haven't begun yet for an upcoming release. Usually only the last snapshot in per week is available, except the most recent week, when they're all available although the exact list may vary, as it is at the discretion of Mojang which snapshots are listed.
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By default, you can choose and play release versions of ''Minecraft'', e.g. 1.14.x, 1.15.x, 1.16.x and so forth. Also available are the development snapshots for the upcoming release, or for the most recent release if snapshots haven't begun yet for an upcoming release. Usually, only the last snapshot in per week is available, except for the most recent week, in which they're usually all available. Keep in mind that the exact list of snapshots available may vary, as it is at the discretion of Mojang which snapshots are listed. Snapshots are newer versions that have not been released as an update and are still a work in progress. Players can view said snapshots as well.
   
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[[File:Version selection screen in launcher.png|thumb|This picture shows the drop-down menu of versions to select to play Minecraft. This screen can be accessed by pressing "New..." or editing another version preset, both accessible by going to "Installations".]]
To select a snapshot, follow these steps:
 
   
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To play a snapshot or previous version of Minecraft, go into the "Installations" tab and click the "Snapshots" option in the top-right corner.
* Create new profile for snapshots. Press ''New Profile'' button on the launcher. A dialog will open:
 
 
This allows you to play both the latest release versions and development versions by switching profiles on the launcher. Keep in mind that ''Minecraft'' doesn't care about save data compatibility, so it is advised to use a temporary world when you test development builds (note that it is possible to enable snapshots without changing the game directory, however, separate game directories are a good practice to keep your worlds separated and prevent compatibility issues from destroying your maps).
** Name it something like 'Snapshots'.
 
** Check ''Game Directory'' and add a folder name to the end of the text beside it (the pathname, most likely starting with "C:\").
 
** Check ''Enable experimental development versions ("snapshots")''.
 
** Choose the snapshot you like to use.
 
** Then, ''Save Profile''.
 
   
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==No longer available in the launcher==
Now, you can play both latest release versions and development versions by switching profiles on the launcher. Keep in mind that ''Minecraft'' doesn't care about save data compatibility. You should use a temporary world when you test development builds. (Please note that it is possible to enable snapshots without changing the game directory, however separate game directories are a good practice to keep your worlds separated and prevent compatibility issues from destroying your maps.)
 
   
 
Each time the launcher closes, it automatically removes snapshots from its ''Use version'' list that don't belong to its current set of snapshots, which, as explained above, is usually the most recent set of snapshots, and usually only the last one per week. Due to this, older snapshots become unavailable from that list over time, but the launcher can certainly still play them. Though the launcher's list is kept short, Mojang doesn't remove old snapshot files from the location on the web that the launcher uses. So here's how to do this:
If you want to change to a different snapshot, hit ''Edit Profile'' on the launcher and choose the specific snapshot from ''Use versions'' dropdown box.
 
   
 
'''Step 1:''' Navigate to the specific snapshot page on this wiki, which can be accessed via the [[Java Edition version history/Development versions|snapshot history]] page, and download the client .jar and .json on the right-hand side of the page.
=== Video tutorial ===
 
{{yt|1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n939p8ibVno&feature=youtu.be}}
 
   
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'''Note: on most web browsers, the .jar file downloads automatically when opening the link. However, on most web browsers, clicking the link to the .json file will show the JSON's contents instead of automatically downloading it. If this is the case, right-click anywhere on the page and choose "Save page as" or something similar. It will automatically save it as a .json file.'''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvZbM1GIzUk Minecraft Tutorial: How to Install and Use A Snapshot]
 
   
== Snapshots no longer available in the launcher ==
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:For the remaining steps, close ''Minecraft'' and the launcher.
   
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'''Step 2:''' Go to your <code>[[.minecraft]]/versions</code> folder:
Each time the launcher closes, it automatically removes snapshots from its ''Use version'' list that don't belong to its current set of snapshots, which, as explained above, is usually the most recent set of snapshots, and usually only the last one per week. Due to this, older snapshots become unavailable from that list over time, but the launcher can certainly still play them. Though the launcher's list is kept short, Mojang doesn't remove old snapshot files from the location on the web that the launcher uses. So here's how to do this:
 
   
 
*Windows: <code>%appdata%\.minecraft\versions\</code> (Simply put this in your address bar & hit enter)
'''Step 1:''' Navigate to the specific snapshot page on this wiki, which can be accessed via the [[Version history/Development versions|snapshot history]] page, and download the client .jar on the right-hand side of the page.
 
 
*Linux: <code>~/.minecraft/versions/</code> (this folder may be hidden in the "<kbd>Home</kbd>" folder)*
   
 
:<nowiki>*</nowiki> To unhide files in the 'Home' folder, press <kbd>Ctrl + H</kbd>
: For the remaining steps, close ''Minecraft'' and the launcher.
 
   
'''Step 2:''' Go to your [[.minecraft|.minecraft/versions]] folder:
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*macOS(OS X): <code>~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/versions/</code> (this folder may be hidden)
* Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10: <code>%appdata%\.minecraft\versions\</code> (Simply put this in your address bar & hit enter)
 
* Linux: <code>~/.minecraft/versions/</code> (this folder may be hidden in the "Home" folder)*
 
: <nowiki>*</nowiki> To unhide files in the 'Home' folder, press Ctrl+H
 
* Mac OS X: <code>~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/versions/</code> (this folder may be hidden)
 
   
 
'''Step 3:''' Create a folder with the same name as the snapshot, for instance "12w15a" or "14w02a".
 
'''Step 3:''' Create a folder with the same name as the snapshot, for instance "12w15a" or "14w02a".
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<!--
 
=== Snapshots for [[Java Edition 1.6]] to present ===
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-->
   
 
'''Step 4:''' Move the <code>.jar</code> and <code>.json</code> files that you downloaded into that folder.
=== Snapshots for [[1.6]] to present ===
 
   
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'''Step 5:''' Rename both the <code>.jar</code> and <code>.json</code> files to the same name as the snapshot (for example: 14w02a.jar and 14w02a.json).
'''Step 4:''' Move the .jar file that you downloaded into that folder.
 
   
 
'''Step 6:''' Start the launcher, then follow the instructions from the previous section. You will be able to select the version you downloaded.
'''Step 5:''' Download also the .json file from that page into that folder.
 
 
'''Step 6:''' Start Minecraft launcher, go into your profile settings and make sure snapshots are enabled. You will be able to select the version you downloaded.
 
   
 
Congratulations, you have installed a snapshot!
 
Congratulations, you have installed a snapshot!
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<!--
 
 
=== Older snapshots ===
 
=== Older snapshots ===
   
'''Step 4:''' Move the "minecraft.jar" that you downloaded into that folder, and give it the same name, for instance "12w15a.jar".
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'''Step 4:''' Move the "minecraft.jar" that you downloaded into that folder, and give it the same name, for instance, "12w15a.jar".
   
'''Step 5:''' Create in that folder a .json file with that same name, for instance "12w15a.json", and paste into that file the text from
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''Step 5:''' Create in that folder a .json file with that same name, for instance, "12w15a.json", and paste into that file the text from [http://pastebin.com/4jkxPsY4 this file].
[http://pastebin.com/4jkxPsY4 this file].
 
   
 
'''Step 6:''' Edit the .json file with a text editor, and change "<Profile Name>" on line 2 to the snapshot name, for instance "12w15a". Also change line 5 where it says "release", to say "snapshot".
 
'''Step 6:''' Edit the .json file with a text editor, and change "<Profile Name>" on line 2 to the snapshot name, for instance "12w15a". Also change line 5 where it says "release", to say "snapshot".
Line 65: Line 58:
   
 
Congratulations, you have installed a snapshot!
 
Congratulations, you have installed a snapshot!
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-->
   
=== Warnings ===
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==Warnings==
   
'''Warning 1:''' Opening existing single player worlds is not without risk: they might become broken or unloadable. If you load the map in the new snapshot & later you downgrade your version of minecraft, the map might contain items that don't exist in that version yet, thus corrupting it. A map can also become corrupt by any bugs in the new snapshot.
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*Opening existing single player worlds is not without risk: they might become broken or unloadable. If you load the map in the new snapshot and later you downgrade the version, the map might contain features that do not exist in that version yet, thus corrupting it. A map can also become corrupt by any bugs in the new snapshot.
Don't take any risks: backup your saves! (they are in \.minecraft\saves\)
 
   
 
:Don't take any risks: backup your saves (located in <samp>.minecraft\saves</samp>).
'''Warning 2:''' ''Minecraft'' has a tendency of deleting older snapshot folders from the \versions folder when the launcher closes. It is advised to copy the snapshot folder you have just created to a safe location.
 
   
 
*''Minecraft'' has a tendency of deleting older snapshot folders from the <samp>.minecraft\versions</samp> folder when the launcher closes. It is advised to copy the snapshot folder you have just created into a safe location.
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*Worlds that are not made while snapshot is activated will not be able to be played without possibly messing up the world. Make a new world when snapshot loaded. When not playing in snapshot, world that was made during snapshot will not be able to be played.
 
{{tutorials}}
 
{{tutorials}}
   
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[[fr:Tutoriels/Comment installer un snapshot]]
 
[[fr:Tutoriels/Comment installer un snapshot]]
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[[ja:チュートリアル/スナップショットのインストール方法]]
[[ja:Tutorials/How to install a snapshot]]
 
[[nl:Lessen/Snapshots installeren]]
 
 
[[pl:Poradniki/Instalowanie snapshota]]
 
[[pl:Poradniki/Instalowanie snapshota]]
  +
[[pt:Tutoriais/Como instalar uma snapshot]]
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[[zh:教程/快照版本安装]]

Latest revision as of 00:31, 16 November 2023

Information icon
This tutorial is exclusive to Java Edition. 

It is possible to play a future snapshot in Minecraft, as well as previous versions that have been released, and it is quite easy too. However, many people don't know how to use or install them. This tutorial shows you how to install and play any type of snapshot, development version, or previously released version that is available in the launcher, as well as snapshots that are no longer available in the launcher.

Available in the launcher

Profileeditor-snapshot

Check Enable snapshots to select snapshot builds.

To play a snapshot, first, download the Minecraft launcher. The download link is available at minecraft.net/download.

By default, you can choose and play release versions of Minecraft, e.g. 1.14.x, 1.15.x, 1.16.x and so forth. Also available are the development snapshots for the upcoming release, or for the most recent release if snapshots haven't begun yet for an upcoming release. Usually, only the last snapshot in per week is available, except for the most recent week, in which they're usually all available. Keep in mind that the exact list of snapshots available may vary, as it is at the discretion of Mojang which snapshots are listed. Snapshots are newer versions that have not been released as an update and are still a work in progress. Players can view said snapshots as well.

Version selection screen in launcher

This picture shows the drop-down menu of versions to select to play Minecraft. This screen can be accessed by pressing "New..." or editing another version preset, both accessible by going to "Installations".

To play a snapshot or previous version of Minecraft, go into the "Installations" tab and click the "Snapshots" option in the top-right corner. This allows you to play both the latest release versions and development versions by switching profiles on the launcher. Keep in mind that Minecraft doesn't care about save data compatibility, so it is advised to use a temporary world when you test development builds (note that it is possible to enable snapshots without changing the game directory, however, separate game directories are a good practice to keep your worlds separated and prevent compatibility issues from destroying your maps).

No longer available in the launcher

Each time the launcher closes, it automatically removes snapshots from its Use version list that don't belong to its current set of snapshots, which, as explained above, is usually the most recent set of snapshots, and usually only the last one per week. Due to this, older snapshots become unavailable from that list over time, but the launcher can certainly still play them. Though the launcher's list is kept short, Mojang doesn't remove old snapshot files from the location on the web that the launcher uses. So here's how to do this:

Step 1: Navigate to the specific snapshot page on this wiki, which can be accessed via the snapshot history page, and download the client .jar and .json on the right-hand side of the page.

Note: on most web browsers, the .jar file downloads automatically when opening the link. However, on most web browsers, clicking the link to the .json file will show the JSON's contents instead of automatically downloading it. If this is the case, right-click anywhere on the page and choose "Save page as" or something similar. It will automatically save it as a .json file.

For the remaining steps, close Minecraft and the launcher.

Step 2: Go to your .minecraft/versions folder:

  • Windows: %appdata%\.minecraft\versions\ (Simply put this in your address bar & hit enter)
  • Linux: ~/.minecraft/versions/ (this folder may be hidden in the "Home" folder)*
* To unhide files in the 'Home' folder, press Ctrl + H
  • macOS(OS X): ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/versions/ (this folder may be hidden)

Step 3: Create a folder with the same name as the snapshot, for instance "12w15a" or "14w02a".

Step 4: Move the .jar and .json files that you downloaded into that folder.

Step 5: Rename both the .jar and .json files to the same name as the snapshot (for example: 14w02a.jar and 14w02a.json).

Step 6: Start the launcher, then follow the instructions from the previous section. You will be able to select the version you downloaded.

Congratulations, you have installed a snapshot!

Warnings

  • Opening existing single player worlds is not without risk: they might become broken or unloadable. If you load the map in the new snapshot and later you downgrade the version, the map might contain features that do not exist in that version yet, thus corrupting it. A map can also become corrupt by any bugs in the new snapshot.
Don't take any risks: backup your saves (located in .minecraft\saves).
  • Minecraft has a tendency of deleting older snapshot folders from the .minecraft\versions folder when the launcher closes. It is advised to copy the snapshot folder you have just created into a safe location.
  • Worlds that are not made while snapshot is activated will not be able to be played without possibly messing up the world. Make a new world when snapshot loaded. When not playing in snapshot, world that was made during snapshot will not be able to be played.