How to download Minecraft

How do you download Minecraft? If you’re here, you’re taking your first step in a journey that’ll lead you toward one of the most beautiful and innovative games ever created. Thankfully, we’re here to get you further along that path with step-by-step guidance on how to download the sandbox game, including its different versions, from every available source.

From its beautifully ethereal soundtrack to fighting off Creepers, and the therapeutic feeling of mining away underground, it’s easy to see how Minecraft became one of the best PC games ever. Luckily, it’s relatively simple to buy, download, and install Minecraft through Microsoft, and you can download it for free with Game Pass, and with different versions available to buy and download, it can be hard to know where to start. We cover all of that and more in the following guide to how to download Minecraft on PC.

How to download Minecraft on PC

To download Minecraft on PC, you need the Minecraft Launcher, which is your central hub for all Minecraft editions and games. Whether you already own the game or not, you can download the Minecraft Launcher for free, select the game or edition, and purchase and install directly from there.

You can download the Minecraft Launcher from a variety of sources:

Download the Minecraft Launcher at minecraft.net

To download the Minecraft Launcher from the official Minecraft website:

Go to Minecraft.net.
Click on ‘Get Minecraft’ in the top right-hand corner.
Select ‘Computer’, then choose the Deluxe or Standard editions.
Follow the instructions to purchase and download Minecraft.

If you already own Minecraft, make sure you are logged into Minecraft.net on your Microsoft account, and scroll down after step two above. Underneath the platform options, you will see a button that says: “Download Minecraft again”. Click on this, and you’ll be taken to the download screen for existing Minecraft owners.

Get Game Pass

Download the Minecraft Launcher with Game Pass

This method requires you to be a Game Pass PC or Game Pass Ultimate subscriber. If you are, here’s how to download Minecraft on Xbox Game Pass:

Visit the Minecraft page in the Microsoft Store.
With membership, you can download ‘Minecraft Java and Bedrock versions for PC’, which includes the free launcher.
Click on the download button and follow any subsequent steps which pop up (these may vary slightly depending on your device).

You can only play Minecraft on Xbox Game Pass while you have an active Game Pass subscription. If you decide to cancel your subscription at any time, you will still have access to the free launcher but will be prompted to purchase the full game.

Download Minecraft from Amazon

Visit the Minecraft Java & Bedrock edition product page on Amazon.
Purchase the game.
Under ‘Your Account’ click ‘Games and Software Library’.
Follow the instructions to download the launcher to your device. You will need to log in to or create a Microsoft account.

How to download Minecraft from the official Launcher

Once you have the Minecraft Launcher installed, you can then download any Minecraft game to your PC, including Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends.

Log in to the Minecraft Launcher using your Microsoft account.
Select the game you wish to download from the list on the left-hand side. If you have Game Pass, you can access all released games.
You will see a large ‘Play’ button if the game is already installed. If not, it will instead say ‘Install’.
Click the ‘Install’ button, and the game will install within the launcher.
The button will read ‘ Play ‘ as soon as the installation is complete.

If you do not own the game or have Game Pass, you cannot download the file but will be taken to a screen to purchase the game. Follow the instructions to purchase the game, and return to the launcher to download.

Different versions of Minecraft

There are several different versions of Minecraft, which might cause some confusion to those planning to play the game for the first time. Here’s an overview of the different versions you are likely to encounter:

Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition: Nowadays, if you buy Minecraft on PC, you’ll get the Java and Bedrock Editions together. When you read “Minecraft Java and Bedrock edition” above, this refers to the Launcher with both games installed. The console versions are now also fully integrated into this version. You can read about their differences below.
- Bedrock Edition: This is essentially an amalgamation of Windows 10 Edition, Pocket Edition, and Legacy Console Editions. It has been designed to be an all-encompassing edition, playable on consoles and PC, with crossplay enabled between them. However, crossplay is not possible between Bedrock and Java editions.
- Java Edition: Is the original and main version of Minecraft, which has been available for over a decade. It differs from the Bedrock Edition in that it is only available to play on PC, and you’ll find that most PC Minecraft players use this version thanks to the modding capabilities and slightly different mechanics. Mojang Studios is working towards parity between Bedrock and Java editions, though.

There are also a couple of legacy versions of Minecraft outside of the Java and Bedrock versions that are now obsolete:

Minecraft: Pocket Edition: If you originally planned to play on a mobile device, you may have heard about Minecraft: Pocket Edition. However, this is an outdated version, which has since been absorbed into Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.
Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition: This also might sound like an option for anybody playing on PC. However, this one has also been merged with Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and is no longer available.

If you want to download Minecraft on your cell phone, there are additional steps for you to follow:

If you use Android, you can download Minecraft Bedrock Edition from the Play Store.
If you use an iPhone, you can purchase Minecraft Bedrock Edition directly from the Apple App Store.

Now you know how to download and install Minecraft. There’s so much more to discover. Add Minecraft mods, maps, and annual content changes, and it’s hard to get bored of the survival game. You may be interested in our guide on the best Minecraft seeds, which can be used on both Bedrock and Java editions, as well as our article on cool Minecraft builds for some inspiration for your own creations.