Installing
How to install Minecraft on a phone or tablet the official way
An old link has brought you to a help page that replaces the former section. Here we briefly explain how to install Minecraft on a mobile device the honest and safe way: through the official store, with genuine updates and no risk to your account.
Installing officially takes a couple of minutes, while getting a stolen account back can be very hard.
About this address
Archived address · the former page has not survived
This address used to hand out game files. The former page has not survived, and we are not restoring its contents.
We don't host files or provide download links. Below is how to install Minecraft through the official store and why third-party builds are dangerous.
Official installation
Open your device's store
Use the app store built into your phone or tablet. Don't follow links from chats, comments or videos.
Check the developer
Search for the game by name and make sure the developer listed is Mojang. Fakes often copy the icon but give themselves away with a different publisher.
Sign in
Your purchase is tied to your store account, and you'll need a game account for online play and the Marketplace. Choose a strong password and never share it with anyone.
Set up family settings
If a child is playing, turn on parental controls in the store and the account's family settings in advance: purchase approval, communication limits and playing time.
Update through the store
New versions arrive from the same place the game was installed from. That way you can always play with friends on the current version.
Java and Bedrock at a glance
| What we're comparing | Java Edition | Bedrock Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Personal computers | Mobile devices, consoles and Windows |
| Playing together | With owners of the same edition | Cross-platform: with players on different devices |
| Origins | Mojang's classic edition | Grew out of Minecraft: Pocket Edition |
| Official add-ons | See the official help pages | Skins, resource packs and worlds in the in-game Marketplace |
Related reading
What we rely on
- The official Minecraft website and Mojang Studios help pages
- Minecraft Wiki: Bedrock Edition version history
- PEGI and ESRB: video game age ratings
We describe the basics of the game in general terms. Menus, button names and the contents of updates change over time and differ between editions, so check the details against the official help pages and update notes.