Minecraft has definitely come a long way since it was first released to the public in 2009. There have been many versions and updates, adding all sorts of features. The game is still getting a steady stream of updates, some of which can be game-changing.
While it’s always nice to have new content, not all servers update instantly to those newer versions. This means that you might find yourself needing to play earlier versions of the game.
This guide will show you how to downgrade Minecraft so you can still play on servers that use older versions.
Whether you want to play on older versions so you can play on your favorite server or just out of curiosity and nostalgia, knowing how to downgrade Minecraft can come in handy, just like knowing how to zoom or unban someone in the game.
Without further ado, here’s how to downgrade Minecraft in 8 simple steps! Buckle up and prepare to go back in time and revisit the game’s older versions.
How to Downgrade Minecraft
- Start the Minecraft Launcher. The Minecraft Launcher allows you to load earlier versions of the game if you’re using Minecraft 1.14.3 or later. Once you choose the version you want to switch to, you’ll need to restart the Launcher and quit the game if you have launched it already. It’s also worth noting that the mobile app on iPhone and Android doesn’t allow you to switch versions like the PC version.
- Select Installations at the top of the Launcher. It’s the second tab there.
- Click on + New near the top-center part of the Launcher. This will bring up the “Create new installation” window. If you want to check out how the game was like during its Alpha and Beta stages, you can enable Historical Versions and access those.
- Choose a name for your installation by typing it into the “Name” field. You can mark it by naming it, just like the server name, so you can easily find it.
- Choose which version you want to downgrade to. You can also customize the resolution of the new installation by entering the dimensions into the “Resolution” fields.
- Choose the directory in which you want to put your new installation by clicking the “Game Directory” menu and selecting it from there. The data of the old version will be stored in the default directory. With that said, if you want to play any version that’s earlier than 1.6, you’ll have to select a different folder.
- Once you’re done with the prior steps, click the Create button. You’ll find it at the bottom-right corner. This will add the older version to your installations list.
- Select the installation of Minecraft you want to play from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the screen, then press the Play button, and you’re good to go.