H1 How to Update Minecraft PE: A Comprehensive Guide
Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), now known as Minecraft for mobile devices, is a fantastic way to enjoy the block-building adventure on the go. Keeping your game updated is crucial for accessing the latest features, bug fixes, and improvements Mojang rolls out. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every method to update Minecraft PE, ensuring you have the smoothest and most enjoyable experience.
B How Updates Enhance Your Minecraft PE Experience
Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s briefly discuss ‘why’ updates are so important. Minecraft updates aren’t just cosmetic changes; they often include:
* B New Features: Updates frequently introduce new blocks, mobs (creatures), items, and biomes, expanding the gameplay possibilities and adding fresh content to explore.
* B Bug Fixes: Updates address glitches and errors that might hinder your gameplay, resolving issues like crashing, texture problems, or unexpected behavior.
* B Performance Improvements: Updates often optimize the game’s performance, resulting in smoother gameplay, faster loading times, and reduced battery drain on your device.
* B Security Patches: Updates can also include security enhancements that protect your account and device from potential vulnerabilities.
* B Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensuring you have the latest version is essential for seamless cross-platform play with friends on other devices (e.g., PC, consoles).
B Methods to Update Minecraft PE
There are several ways to update Minecraft PE, depending on your device’s operating system (Android or iOS) and how you originally obtained the game.
B 1. Automatic Updates (Recommended)
The easiest way to keep Minecraft PE updated is to enable automatic updates in your device’s app store. This ensures that the game automatically downloads and installs the latest version whenever it’s released.
B For Android:
1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Select “Manage apps & device.”
4. Tap “Manage” at the top.
5. Locate “Minecraft” in the list of apps.
6. Tap on “Minecraft” to go to the app’s page.
7. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
8. Make sure the box next to “Enable auto update” is checked. If it’s already checked, you’re good to go! If not, tap it to enable automatic updates.
Alternatively, you can enable automatic updates for all apps:
1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Tap “Network preferences.”
5. Tap “Auto-update apps.”
6. Choose your preferred option:
* “Over any network”: Updates will download using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
* “Over Wi-Fi only”: Updates will only download when connected to a Wi-Fi network (recommended to avoid data charges).
B For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap “App Store.”
3. Under “Automatic Downloads,” make sure the toggle next to “App Updates” is enabled (green).
B 2. Manual Updates
If automatic updates are disabled, or if you want to check for an update immediately, you can manually update Minecraft PE through your device’s app store.
B For Android:
1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Select “Manage apps & device.”
4. If an update is available for Minecraft, you’ll see it listed under “Updates available.” Tap the “Update” button next to Minecraft.
5. If no update is listed, it means your game is already up to date.
6. Alternatively, you can search for “Minecraft” in the Play Store and tap on the Minecraft app page. If an update is available, you’ll see an “Update” button; otherwise, you’ll see an “Open” button.
B For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
1. Open the App Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Scroll down to the “Available Updates” section. If an update is available for Minecraft, you’ll see it listed. Tap the “Update” button next to Minecraft.
4. If no update is listed, it means your game is already up to date.
5. Alternatively, you can search for “Minecraft” in the App Store and tap on the Minecraft app page. If an update is available, you’ll see an “Update” button; otherwise, you’ll see an “Open” button.
B 3. Updating Through Amazon Appstore (If Applicable)
If you purchased Minecraft PE through the Amazon Appstore (for example, on a Kindle Fire device), you’ll need to update the game through the Amazon Appstore.
1. Open the Amazon Appstore app.
2. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines).
3. Tap “App Updates.”
4. If an update is available for Minecraft, tap the “Update” button next to it.
5. If no update is listed, your game is already up to date.
B 4. Reinstalling the Game (As a Last Resort)
In rare cases, you might encounter issues where the update fails to install correctly. If this happens, you can try reinstalling the game. However, be aware that reinstalling the game might delete your local worlds if they aren’t backed up. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended to back up your worlds before proceeding with this method.
B Backing Up Your Minecraft PE Worlds (Important!) Before Reinstalling
Losing your hard-earned Minecraft worlds can be heartbreaking. Before reinstalling, follow these steps to back them up:
B For Android:
1. Open the Minecraft PE app.
2. Tap “Settings” on the main menu.
3. Scroll down and tap “Profile.”
4. Note the “File Storage Location.” It’s likely set to “External” or “Application.”
5. If it’s set to “Application,” change it to “External.” This is essential for accessing your worlds.
6. Close Minecraft PE.
7. Open a file manager app (e.g., Files by Google, ES File Explorer).
8. Navigate to the Minecraft worlds folder. The location depends on whether your file storage location was “External” or “Application” before changing it. If it was originally “Application,” the worlds folder will most likely be located under `Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds`. If your file storage location was already set to “External”, or once you have changed it and restarted Minecraft, the folder will be directly under `/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds`.
9. The `minecraftWorlds` folder contains subfolders, each representing one of your worlds. These folders have random alphanumeric names.
10. Copy the entire `minecraftWorlds` folder to a safe location, such as your device’s internal storage, an external SD card, or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
B For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
Backing up worlds on iOS is slightly more complex as it requires connecting your device to a computer and using iTunes or Finder.
1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (if you’re using an older version of macOS) or Finder (if you’re using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Select your device in iTunes or Finder.
4. Click on “File Sharing.”
5. In the list of apps, select “Minecraft.”
6. You’ll see a folder called “minecraftWorlds.” Drag this folder to your computer to create a backup.
B Reinstalling Minecraft PE
Once you’ve backed up your worlds, you can proceed with reinstalling the game:
B For Android:
1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Search for “Minecraft.”
3. Tap “Uninstall.”
4. Once uninstallation is complete, tap “Install.”
B For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
1. Tap and hold the Minecraft app icon on your home screen until it starts jiggling.
2. Tap the “X” that appears in the corner of the icon.
3. Tap “Delete.”
4. Open the App Store app.
5. Search for “Minecraft.”
6. Tap the cloud icon (or “Get” button) to reinstall the game.
B Restoring Your Minecraft PE Worlds After Reinstallation
After reinstalling Minecraft PE, you’ll need to restore your backed-up worlds.
B For Android:
1. Open a file manager app.
2. Navigate to the location where you saved the `minecraftWorlds` folder.
3. Copy the `minecraftWorlds` folder.
4. Navigate to the `games/com.mojang` folder within your device’s storage. If the folder `com.mojang` does not exist, then run the freshly installed Minecraft once, so that it creates the folder structure automatically. Ensure you allow the app any storage permissions it asks for.
5. Paste the `minecraftWorlds` folder into the `com.mojang` folder.
6. Open Minecraft PE. Your worlds should now be available.
B For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (if you’re using an older version of macOS) or Finder (if you’re using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Select your device in iTunes or Finder.
4. Click on “File Sharing.”
5. In the list of apps, select “Minecraft.”
6. Drag the `minecraftWorlds` folder from your computer into the Minecraft file sharing area.
7. Open Minecraft PE. Your worlds should now be available.
B Troubleshooting Common Update Issues
Sometimes, updating Minecraft PE can be problematic. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
* B Insufficient Storage Space: Make sure you have enough free storage space on your device to download and install the update. Delete unnecessary files, photos, or apps to free up space.
* B Unstable Internet Connection: A weak or unstable internet connection can interrupt the update process. Ensure you’re connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
* B App Store Issues: Sometimes, the app store itself might be experiencing issues. Try restarting your device or clearing the app store’s cache.
* B Corrupted Game Files: If the game files are corrupted, the update might fail. Reinstalling the game (after backing up your worlds) can resolve this issue.
* B Device Compatibility: Ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements for the latest version of Minecraft PE. Older devices might not be compatible.
* B Update Stuck or Frozen: If the update seems stuck or frozen, try closing the app store and restarting your device. Then, try updating the game again.
B Important Considerations
* B Beta Programs: If you’re participating in a Minecraft PE beta program, you might receive updates earlier than the general public. However, beta versions can sometimes be unstable or contain bugs.
* B World Compatibility: Updates can sometimes affect world compatibility. Older worlds might not work correctly in newer versions of the game. It’s always a good idea to back up your worlds before updating.
* B Mod Compatibility: If you’re using mods (modifications) in Minecraft PE, be aware that updates can break mod compatibility. You might need to update your mods or wait for the mod developers to release compatible versions.
* B Game Version: You can check your current Minecraft PE version in the game’s settings menu.
B Staying Informed About Updates
To stay informed about the latest Minecraft PE updates, you can:
* Follow the official Minecraft Twitter account (@Minecraft).
* Visit the Minecraft website (minecraft.net).
* Subscribe to Minecraft-related YouTube channels.
* Join Minecraft communities and forums.
By following these tips, you can ensure your Minecraft PE game is always up-to-date, allowing you to enjoy the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Happy crafting!