Minecraft Preview Explained: Early Access to Bedrock Updates

Mojang has spent years refining Bedrock Edition through community input, and the testing program has now taken on a new shape. Instead of the older Minecraft Beta, Bedrock players on most platforms can install Minecraft Preview, a separate app built entirely around upcoming features and bug hunting.

What Minecraft Preview Actually Is

Minecraft Preview is a standalone Bedrock client for trying out unreleased content before it ships to the main game. It runs side by side with regular Minecraft, so the worlds, settings and skins on a retail install stay untouched. Bug reports and feedback collected through Preview feed directly into Mojang's development pipeline.

The program is open to existing Bedrock Edition owners on iOS, Xbox, PlayStation and Windows. Android is the outlier and still uses the older Minecraft Beta system.

Installing Minecraft Preview by Platform

Each platform has its own path, and a couple of them involve hoops worth knowing about before signing up.

iOS

iOS slots open through TestFlight at Apple's signup page. Spots are capped, but a fresh batch becomes available on the first day of each month. Apple drops inactive testers, so playing Preview at least once a month is required to keep access.

Android

Android is the one platform still using Minecraft Beta rather than Preview. Open the Google Play Store, find the Minecraft listing, and look for the option to join the beta program.

Heads up: Beta replaces the standard Minecraft app on Android and overwrites its data. Back up any worlds, screenshots or downloaded content before enrolling, because they will not survive the switch.

Xbox

On Xbox, search the store or Game Pass library for Minecraft Preview directly. Install it like any other title and launch the new app whenever testing time comes around.

PlayStation

PlayStation users find the option inside Minecraft itself. Open the game, go to Settings, scroll down the sidebar to Preview, then choose Get PlayStation # Preview followed by Download. After that, the Preview app appears on the dashboard alongside the regular client.

Windows

Windows PCs handle Preview through the Minecraft Launcher. Open the launcher, switch to the Bedrock Edition tab, and click Latest Release next to the Play button. A dropdown reveals Latest Preview as an option. Pick it, press Play, and the launcher installs Preview in the background.

Switching back to the retail version follows the same steps and leaves saved data alone.

Can Servers Run Preview Builds?

HolyHosting Bedrock servers keep working the same way regardless of whether players connect through retail Minecraft or Preview. Only the client changes, not the server software underneath. If something misbehaves after a Preview update lands, the support team is reachable and ready to dig in.