Minecraft Update Tracker
Checked automatically against Mojang's version list. Last check .The latest Minecraft Java release is 26.3 (September 15, 2026), and the newest test version is 26.4-snapshot-3 (October 6, 2026).
Next up: Minecraft Fourth Drop 2026: Ice Caves, Frostbite and More.
Recent Java versions
| Version | Type | Released | What's new |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26.4-snapshot-3 | Snapshot | Oct 6, 2026 | Read the breakdown |
| 26.4-snapshot-2 | Snapshot | Sep 29, 2026 | Read the breakdown |
| 26.4-snapshot-1 | Snapshot | Sep 22, 2026 | Read the breakdown |
| 26.3 | Release | Sep 15, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-rc-3 | Release candidate | Sep 14, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-rc-2 | Release candidate | Sep 11, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-rc-1 | Release candidate | Sep 10, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-pre-3 | Pre-release | Sep 8, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-pre-2 | Pre-release | Sep 4, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-pre-1 | Pre-release | Sep 1, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-10 | Snapshot | Aug 25, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-9 | Snapshot | Aug 17, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-8 | Snapshot | Aug 12, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-7 | Snapshot | Aug 4, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-6 | Snapshot | Jul 28, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-5 | Snapshot | Jul 21, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-4 | Snapshot | Jul 16, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-3 | Snapshot | Jul 7, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-2 | Snapshot | Jun 30, 2026 | - |
| 26.3-snapshot-1 | Snapshot | Jun 23, 2026 | - |
Update guides
- Minecraft 26.4 Snapshot 3: Everything New (Full Breakdown)
- Minecraft 26.4 Snapshot 1: Everything New (Full Breakdown)
- Minecraft 26.4 Snapshot 2: Everything New (Full Breakdown)
- Minecraft Fourth Drop 2026: Ice Caves, Frostbite and More
How to try snapshots
Open the Minecraft Launcher, go to Installations, turn on Snapshots, then pick the latest snapshot and press Play. Snapshots are test builds, so play them in a new world or a backup copy, never your main world.
Questions people ask
What is the latest Minecraft version?
The latest Java Edition release is 26.3, released September 15, 2026. The newest snapshot is 26.4-snapshot-3 (October 6, 2026).
Are snapshots safe to play?
Snapshots are test builds that can have bugs and break worlds. Play them in a new world or a copy, not your main save.
How do I join a server on the newest version?
Your game version has to match what the server supports. Most servers update a few days or weeks after a release.