What you need to know
- Minecraft is available on a huge number of platforms, and even still receives updates on older platforms like Windows 10 Mobile.
- This is about to change, with older iOS, Android, and Windows devices, as well as Windows 10 Mobile and Gear VR beign cut off from future updates.
- Support will end in October, 2020, with players on iOS and Android devices still able to use multiplayer and Realms for a limited time.
- This move isn't surprising at all, but is another mark of the passing of Windows 10 Mobile.
If you're a fan of Minecraft, you'll already know that the global hit is available on a colossal number of devices, from Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS4, Android, and iOS. This means you can play anywhere, with anyone, and always enjoy the latest features from Minecraft, like with the Nether Update that recently came out. For a handful of people still on older devices, however, this is about to change.
Announced in a blog post on their website, Mojang Studios is officially cutting off several older platforms and devices from receiving any future support or updates for Minecraft. The affected platforms include:
- iOS devices running iOS 10 or below.
- Android devices with 768MB of RAM or less.
- Windows GPU's that only support DirectX 10.1 or below.
- Gear VR.
- And Windows 10 Mobile.
These changes are perfectly reasonable, as these platforms will continue to struggle supporting newer features, and will only hold Mojang Studios back. This is especially true when a tiny number of Minecraft's overall players continue playing on these platforms. However, fans of Windows phones tend to be awfully nostalgic, so they may remorse the loss of even more support for Windows 10 Mobile, years after Microsoft stopped caring about the platform. If you haven't moved on already (for some reason), Mojang Studios is giving you another reason to.
That's not to say Minecraft will simply cease to work on these devices. Starting in October 2020, these devices won't receive any further updates or support for Minecraft. Players can continue enjoying Minecraft, their worlds, and all their purchases exactly as they were when support ended, and can backup their worlds to move them to new devices. If you're playing on an unsupported Android or iOS device, you can even still play multiplayer, as long as the person you're playing with is on the same version (which won't last long with Minecraft).
Finally, if this decision pushes you to finally vacate whichever platform personally affects you, as long as your purchases are synced with a Microsoft / Xbox Live Account, your purchases and any Realm subscriptions will continue to work on supported platforms.
Were you still playing on one of these older platforms? Will you be replacing your aging device with something more modern? Let us know in the comments below!
Available everywhere you play.
Minecraft is an inarguable and complete success. It has sold copies in the hundreds of millions, has a huge following of dedicated players, and lets you unlock your every creative desire. It's also available on every platform imaginable, including Xbox One, Windows 10, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Play with anyone, and play anywhere.
