This summer, Minecraft: Pocket Edition on iOS [Direct Link] will gain a free update that plans to introduce cross-platform play between most devices that the popular survival crafting game is available on, including iOS and Android smartphones, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 PC, and VR. So if you're playing on iPhone or iPad, you can still join in with a friend who only owns the game on Xbox One or PC.

Game developer Mojang said that it has always wanted to introduce a cross-platform feature, and promised that the new "Better Together Update" will bring a more consistent and unified version of Minecraft. This unification will extend into the game's subtitles, which are being nixed going forward, with Mojang explaining that Minecraft on iOS, Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the VR version, will all simply be called "Minecraft."

minecraft iphone creation

A game all about teamwork, building together and creating communities shouldn't be restricted to one device, which is why our Better Together Update introduces cross-platform play, breaking down the barriers and letting people play the same complete Minecraft with each other across devices! We've wanted to integrate cross-platform for ages, essentially making a version of Minecraft that's consistent no matter what device you're choosing to play on.

Better Together will also introduce cross-platform DLC support, so that any extra content that's purchased on one device will be accessible on any of the devices supported by the new update. As Mojang explained in an example, "If you buy the Greek Mythology pack on Nintendo Switch, you’ll also own it on the mobile, Xbox One and Windows 10 Editions too - no extra charge."

iOS players will see the Better Together update in the App Store sometime this summer, and on Android and VR it'll be rolled out as a simple version update as well. On Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, Mojang will give players an entirely new version of the game for free, and promised that all existing worlds and DLC will carry over to the new version of Minecraft.


The Better Together Update will also include an in-game server browser on the main menu, and a "Super Duper Graphics Pack" will come later this fall with 4K HDR support and improved lighting, shadows, and water effects. For more news about the additions, which are coming out of E3 this week, check out Mojang's blog post here.

Top Rated Comments

69Mustang Avatar
103 months ago
The M$ version seems to be moving a bit more like real-life Legos where various games and adventures are packaged up, rather than the raw game Minecraft has been. That said, people have been building various kinds of games, adventures, eco-systems off the Java game for years now, so in that regard, some of that is just being packaged now to draw interest and eventually sales.

My issue is that the community is being split between the Java and C platforms? (I think it's C) Part of what a large part of the community loved was the ability to mod it and create servers (i.e.: communities) on their own. The C version seems to be reigning that in, or at least putting it back under M$'s control. For example, there is no server for the C version... aside from a reversed-engineered community effort.

I'm sure if you add the iOS, Win10, etc. it already outnumbers the Java version, and this move above might be the nail in the Java coffin. I'm not sure if I'm happy with a Minecraft future where you buy 'servers' from M$, along with everything else pre-packaged from M$.
You sure do like that 'M$':D
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mousse Avatar
103 months ago
I don't get it, are there missions in minecraft or it is "only" a building game /app....

Honest question not bashing!
Building games are lots of fun. It's LEGOs without fire walking pain. My kids play in creative 99.44% of the time.

You can play in survival mode and have creepers blow up your shiny new house. Or you can summon Withers to pee in your cheerios. If that's not enough to brown your trousers, you can always fight the End Dragon.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
earthTOmitchel Avatar
103 months ago
I don't get it, are there missions in minecraft or it is "only" a building game /app....

Honest question not bashing!
I honestly can't explain why I still play the game, it's really baffling even to me. I spent 100+ hours on the Xbox 360 version, and just bought the Switch version almost in a trance lol. It's just one of those games that I can totally mellow out to.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AbSoluTc Avatar
103 months ago
Official 4K HDR support and improved lighting, shadows and water effects. In Minecraft. What a time to be alive, lol.

Cross-platform support is cool, but doesn't the mobile version still have a way to go before it can catch up to the Xbox version? I also remember them making comments a while back about how they wanted the mobile version to be more distinct from the other versions. Guess they're undoing all of that?
It's a fluster cuck of a platform right now. No Mac support, windows10/PE edition, Java edition. So on.. Minecraft on mobile is not fun in my opinion. It's a challenge. I want to play on all my devices and that includes, iOS, macOS and Windows 10.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
103 months ago
It's a fluster cuck of a platform right now. No Mac support, windows10/PE edition, Java edition. So on.. Minecraft on mobile is not fun in my opinion. It's a challenge. I want to play on all my devices and that includes, iOS, macOS and Windows 10.
Yeah, it's a challenge in a bad way. As in the controls are practically unusable. It would be neat if the Mac got the non-java version. I bought it for Switch the other day because it's easier to play it with my kid than lugging my XBO upstairs. OMG I just realized the new Xbox One X would be abbreviated XBOX.
[doublepost=1497277357][/doublepost]
To the best of my knowledge, the iOS version of Minecraft already supports infinite worlds, whereas the console versions of Minecraft still have constrained world limits in varying sizes depending on the platform. In that sense, the iOS version of minecraft is quite a bit ahead compared to console versions.
That may be true but I thought the mobile versions were still well behind in features. Haven't been paying close attention though. Waiting for them to keep updating their new APIs so mods are more feasible on consoles. They're making sure the community store is in place first before they officially allow mods using their new tools so they can monetize it. Smart idea and I'm sure that a lot of people like me who don't play much anymore will come back to the platform when there is a mod store so we can get some of the mods we had on java without the hassle and lag.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JTP3XP Avatar
103 months ago
I don't see any mention of the tvOS version - do you think that gets the update at the same time as the iOS version?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
Apple TV Plus Feature 2 Magenta and Blue

Apple TV+ Available at Significantly Lower Price Until Next Week

Friday April 18, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
Apple TV+ is currently available at a much lower price than usual, but time is running out if you want to take advantage of the offer. In the U.S., new and qualified returning customers can subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month, for three months. Afterwards, regular pricing of $9.99 per month applies. The offer is available in the Apple TV app, and at tv.apple.com, through April...