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 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 to Mojang if you have any issues. It's a win-win situation.
Minecraft snapshot 25w21a
Following last week's snapshot that added the final new 1.21.6 mechanics, 25w21a adds some new sounds and a change to cloudy skies.
Despite it being the start of summer in the northern hemisphere, Minecraft Swedish developers have turned their attention to the game's clouds, and the latest snapshot demonstrates the new cloud pattern. Meanwhile, new sounds have been added for a lead snapping and shearing saddles from llamas.
Speaking of saddles, if you missed it, a huge addition came with 25w20a. Since the early days of Minecraft, saddles have been a true mystery. Where do they come from? They magically appear in rare loot chests, but cannot be crafted. Sure, there are leatherworkers in villages, so perhaps they craft them and hide them throughout the overworld. But why the player cannot craft such a mundane item has always confused players.
It might be sad for some, and we think something is lost in this change, but a Minecraft saddle recipe arrives with 1.21.6. Made up of three leather and one iron ingot, the recipe is obtained when players first pick up leather, which can be as early as your first cow kill, and can be tested in any snapshot after 25w20a. Also in the update, which showcases the last of the new features ahead of the next drop, are new soundtrack songs Below and Above, Broken Clocks, Fireflies, Lilypad, and O's Piano by Amos Roddy, and a new disc, featuring the track Tears.
Given that there are no new features coming after this snapshot, and that the remaining pre-releases will just be tweaking bugs, the next Minecraft update release date could be just a few weeks away.
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 ing 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 game like Minecraft – but do come back for the next update!