This article is about named major updates. For information about named minor updates, see Game drop.
A major update is an update that adds a large number of features. Typically, these include new biomes or structures as the highlights, and most of the features fit into an overarching theme as described by the update's name. For example, Tricky Trials adds a single new structure, and almost every new feature in the update is directly related to the trial chambers or is an actual part of them. According to developer Ulraf, updates and drops are loosely planned up to two years in advance at the earliest, give or take depending on community feedback.[1] While the game is currently using the game drop release formula, Ulraf stated that there are plans for more major updates in the future.[2]
Screenshot containing features from Trails & Tales, an example of a major update.
Pocket Edition and Windows 10 Edition were replaced with Bedrock Edition through a software update. This means they were mostly the same game, just under different names.
Legacy Console Edition however uses completely different software and has its own version history and updates.
Minecraft Education uses the same codebase as Bedrock Edition, but has extra features. Therefore, it also has its own version history and extra updates.
This section lists named updates for Pocket Edition and Windows 10 Edition only.
Ever since the Update Aquatic, Java Edition and Bedrock Edition have shared all of their major updates. This means each major update since Update Aquatic has been available on both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, and newer updates are usually released to all editions and platforms at around the same time.