Minecraft Java Edition lets you pin an installation to almost any release or snapshot, right from the official launcher. Bedrock Edition does not offer the same choice, since the retail app always runs the current release, one of several gaps between Java and Bedrock worth knowing before you start.
Everything through the downgrade section below is about Java Edition. Bedrock's version options are covered in the FAQ at the end.
Change your version in the official launcher
Every Java Edition version, from the newest release back through old snapshots, lives in the launcher's Installations tab. Creating a new installation there points that one profile at a specific version, so you can keep a vanilla profile on the current release and a separate installation pinned to whatever a mod or pack needs.
- 1.Open the official launcher and sign in.
- 2.Select the Installations tab.
- 3.Click New installation to create a fresh profile, or edit an existing one.
- 4.Under Version, pick the release you want. Turn on the option to show snapshots if the version you need is a snapshot build.
- 5.Name the installation something you will recognize later, then save it.
- 6.Pick that installation from the dropdown next to Play, then launch.
Match the version a mod or pack needs
A mod, resource pack, or modpack page states the Minecraft versions and loader it supports. Your installation needs to match that version, or one the project explicitly marks compatible. If the project runs on Fabric or Forge and NeoForge, installing the loader creates its own installation profile tied to that one game version, separate from your vanilla install.
Many Fabric mods also need Fabric API installed as a separate download alongside the loader itself. A modpack usually bundles its loader and dependencies together, so matching the pack's listed version is normally enough.
How to downgrade a Minecraft version
Downgrading uses the same Installations tab as any other version change. Create a new installation, pick the older release under Version, and save it. Java Edition keeps old releases selectable well past their original release date, so playing an older build to match a mod or pack does not need a separate tool.
If you would rather stay on your current release and still join an older server, a compatibility mod like ViaVersion lets a newer client connect without downgrading anything on your end.
Installing the right Java version for Minecraft
The official launcher bundles its own Java runtime and installs the correct one automatically for whichever version you pick, so most players never touch a separate Java install.
A separate install matters in two cases: a third-party launcher that does not bundle its own runtime and expects you to point it at a Java install yourself, or running your own Minecraft server, which starts from a command line and needs Java installed on the host machine independent of any launcher.
- Minecraft 1.18 through 1.20.4 needs Java 17 or newer.
- 1.20.5 through 1.21.11 needs Java 21 or newer.
- 26.1 onward needs Java 25 or newer.
These pairings shift with new releases, so check the specific version's requirements if you are targeting something that predates 1.18 or postdates the range above.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the version on Bedrock?
Not through the retail app. Bedrock Edition always runs the current release, with no built-in way to select an older version. Minecraft Preview and the Beta program are separate testing tracks for upcoming features ahead of release, not a way to step back to an older build.
Will my world break if I go back to an older version?
Worlds do not downgrade safely. Opening a world saved in a newer version with an older client can strip newer blocks and items, corrupt chunks, or fail to load at all. Back up your world before switching to an older release, and keep that backup separate from the copy you are about to open.
How do I install a specific Minecraft snapshot?
Snapshots use the same Installations tab as regular releases. Create a new installation, turn on the option to show snapshots, then pick the exact build from the version list. Snapshots are unstable test builds, so expect occasional crashes. If one will not launch at all, the exit code 1 troubleshooting guide covers the most common causes.
Do I need to install Java myself to play Minecraft?
No, not with the official launcher. It downloads and manages the Java runtime for whichever version you select automatically. You only need to install Java yourself for a third-party launcher that does not bundle one, or for running your own server.
