How To Buy Minecraft Java Edition (Guide) | Purchase Minecraft
How do you want to play?
| Available for: | Desktop | Mobile | Modern console | Other devices | Legacy console | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Mac Linux (Java Edition) | Windows 10 or 11 (with Windows MR) | iOS | Android | Xbox | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 (with PSVR) | Fire Devices | Oculus | Xbox 360 Edition | Nintendo Wii U Edition | New 2DS & 3DS Edition | Playstation 3 | Playstation Vita Edition | |
| Cross-platform play with Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Mobile, Switch, and PlayStation 4 Allows you to play with friends on different devices. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Cross-play with Java Edition: Windows, Mac, and Linux Allows you to play with other Java edition players. | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Split screen multiplayer (online multiplayer requires subscription sold separately) Playing split screen allows up to four players to play on the screen at the same time. | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Available | Not Applicable |
| Controller/touch support Use a compatible game controller or touch screen. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Minecraft Marketplace Discover new ways to play Minecraft with unique maps, skins, and texture packs. Available in-game from your favorite community creators. Purchases and Minecoins roam across Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Mobile, and Switch. On PlayStation 4 the Minecraft Store uses Tokens. Tokens are used only on PlayStation consoles and cannot be used on other platforms. Similarly, Minecoins cannot be used on PlayStation consoles. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Downloadable Content (DLC) Use add-ons to customize your experience. Transform the look, and even change the behavior of mobs. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Mods Independent, user-made additions and changes to the game. | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Official featured multiplayer servers (online multiplayer requires subscription sold separately) Public servers, partnered with Minecraft, that anyone can join, with multiplayer mini-games. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Realms (Sold separately) Realms are servers, run by us, just for you and your friends. Invite an infinite number of friends to join your personal Realm, and play with up to 10 at a time. | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Realms Plus (Sold separately) Get access to 100+ marketplace packs to play locally or on your personal Realm server. Play with up to 10 players at a time who can access all of the content in your Realm—for free! | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Host your own server Share your world with your friends and players around the globe. Host your own multiplayer game server. Join custom servers from mobile and PC. | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Join player-hosted multiplayer servers Multiplayer games hosted on other player’s servers. | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Achievements/Trophies Complete certain challenges to earn Achievements or Trophies. Only available in Survival mode. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Available | Available |
| LAN or WiFi Multiplayer Play with friends over LAN or WiFi. | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Parental Controls with Xbox Live or Microsoft Account Xbox profiles and Microsoft Accounts have age-appropriate controls and settings that you can adjust to suit your family’s needs. If you’re playing the Java edition with a Mojang account, parental controls are not available. If you’re playing the Java edition with an Xbox Profile or Microsoft account associated with your Minecraft profile, parental controls are available. | Not Applicable | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Ray Tracing Advanced graphics capabilities including support for physical based rendering, realistic lighting, vibrant colors, realistic water, and more. Content available in Minecraft Marketplace. Requires a DXR capable GPU. | Not Applicable | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Available | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Minimum Requirements : | Recommended Requirements : | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i3-3210 3.2 GHz/ AMD A8-7600 APU 3.1 GHz or equivalent | Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz / AMD A10-7800 APU 3.5 GHz or equivalent |
| GPU (Integrated) | Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge) or AMD Radeon R5 series (Kaveri line) with OpenGL 4.4* | |
| GPU (Discrete) | Nvidia GeForce 400 Series or AMD Radeon HD 7000 series with OpenGL 4.4 | GeForce 700 Series or AMD Radeon Rx 200 Series (excluding integrated chipsets) with OpenGL 4.5 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| HDD | At least 1GB for game core, maps and other files | 4GB (SSD is recommended) |
| OS |
Internet connectivity is required for downloading Minecraft files, afterwards offline play is possible |
64 bit recommended
|
| Internet connectivity is required for downloading Minecraft files, afterwards offline play is possible | ||
| Software Requirements: | ||
| Minecraft Release 1.6 or newer. Older versions will need to be updated to current versions | ||
|
Please note that some users experience issues playing Minecraft while using a mismatched version of Java for their operating system (32 or 64 bit), while using certain versions of Java 7, or while multiple versions of Java are installed Starting from Minecraft 1.12, Java 8 will be required to run Minecraft. If you dont know whether you have Java 8, dont worry – our installers supply Minecraft with its own version of Java by default. |
||
| Minimum Requirements : | Recommended Requirements : | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher, Xbox One | Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher, Xbox One |
| Architecture | ARM, x64, x86 | ARM, x64, x86 |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Motion controller | Not specified | Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers |
| Headset | Not specified | Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset |
| Processor | Intel Celeron J4105 | AMD FX-4100 | Intel i7-6500U | AMD A8-6600K |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | AMD Radeon R5 | NVIDIA GeForce 940M | AMD Radeon HD 8570D |
Here’s how to download Minecraft for PC in a few simple steps
If you’re wondering how to download Minecraft for PC, you’ve come to the right place.
One of the best Xbox One games, Minecraft can also easily be played on a computer and the benefits of taking the time to download it onto your PC make it well worth your while.
For starters, if you have one of the best graphic cards for PC, youll find the resolution stunning and the visuals much sharper. You also have a wide variety of controllers and mice to choose from, and you can even kick back and relax with wireless options.
There are two PC versions of Minecraft available to download: Minecraft Java Edition, or Minecraft for Windows 10 (commonly known as Bedrock). There are some notable differences between the two versions.
Although Bedrock doesnt have an updated combat system, it does allow for crossplay between PC and Xbox One or mobile plays – and has some content that Java doesnt.
Meanwhile, whilst Java only allows players to play with other Java players, it is hosted on far more public servers and boasts a comprehensive modding community. If youre not quite sure which to choose then we advise going for Java, as it includes a free copy of Bedrock with it.
Whichever you choose, let’s go through how to download, register, buy the game, and install Minecraft in no time.
Where to Buy Minecraft for PC
This seems like it should be straightforward enough, right? Well… Its not. If youre using a Windows 10 PC right now, you might have seen a link to buy Minecraft in your Start menu. Well, thats Minecraft for Windows 10, not Minecraft (Java Edition), which might be the version youre actually looking for. Minecraft for PC/Mac Online CodeOn Amazon
The original Minecraft for PC and Mac is often referred to as “Java Edition” online, to differentiate it from Minecraft for Windows 10. Both versions have mod support, although the Java Edition has more (and arguably better) choices. However, if you have a low-powered computer, the Windows 10 version will probably look and run better.
Minecraft for Windows 10 also runs on HoloLens, which basically no one owns, but it also runs on Oculus. If you want Minecraft in VR, the Windows 10 version is your best bet.Loading
The Windows 10 version of Minecraft is technically a “Bedrock Edition” of the game, which is an iteration of the now-discontinued “Pocket Edition.” Pocket Edition was the mobile version of Minecraft that went on to be the foundation, or bedrock, of the current multi-platform editions of Minecraft.
Because of this, it has content packs you can buy to shake things up, and different versions include different themed-content. For example, the Switch version of Minecraft comes with the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. If youre familiar with console versions, its the same idea: themed packs changing up the appearance of mobs and blocks in the game.
Minecraft for Windows 10 also has controller support, which is missing from the Java Edition. If youre used to playing Minecraft on a console or mobile device, the transition will probably be easier with the Windows 10 version. However, Im of the personal opinion all PC games are better with a mouse and keyboard, so I recommend learning the one, true way to play PC games.
Since Java Edition is, well, in Java, it works across platforms, meaning you can play it on PC or a Mac. If youre one of the Mac faithful and you want to spend hours digging holes in the virtual ground, the Java version is your best bet.
FAQ
How do I download Minecraft?
How do I get Minecraft for PC?
Can you just download Minecraft?