How to download Minecraft 1.21.40.20 beta and preview

The Minecraft 1.21.40.20 beta and preview for Bedrock Edition debuted on September 4, 2024, making additional tweaks to bundles and wind charges while also fixing a number of bugs. However, Mojang has conceded that there appears to be some rendering glitches that are still being worked out. Still, how can you download this new preview and try out its features and changes?

The process varies depending on which platform you're using to play Minecraft. However, none of the platforms are particularly difficult to work with. It should be pointed out that this preview is currently only available on Xbox One/Series X|S, Windows 10 and 11 PCs, PlayStation 4/5, and Android/iOS mobile devices.

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How to download Minecraft preview 1.21.40.20 on compatible devices

Xbox consoles

Accessing Minecraft previews on Xbox is easily accomplished with a few button presses (Image via Mojang/Microsoft)

Installing Minecraft previews on Xbox is easy as long as you've purchased the base game on your account. All that's required is a quick trip to the Xbox Store or the Xbox Game Pass Library if you have an active subscription. However, if you're not familiar with the process, you can check out the steps below:

1. From your dashboard, open either the Xbox Store application or the Xbox Game Pass Library.
2. Open the search function and enter Minecraft Preview. Then, when the preview appears, select the Install button.

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PlayStation consoles

Minecraft previews are recent additions to PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles (Image via Mojang/Sony)

Minecraft previews on PlayStation 4/5 are somewhat new, and they have a slightly different access method. With that in mind, you can download preview 1.21.40.20 on PlayStation 4 or 5 with these steps:

1. Run the game on either your PS4 or PS5 console and open your settings from the main menu.
2. Scroll the sidebar to the left down to the bottom and select the "Preview" tab.
3. Click either "Get PlayStation 4 Preview" or "Get PlayStation 5 Preview."
4. Select Download.

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Windows 10/11 PCs

Windows users can download previews via the Microsoft Store (Image via Microsoft)

The process of downloading the latest Minecraft preview on a Windows PC is carried out a bit differently depending on whether or not you already have one installed. If you do, you can update it using the Microsoft Store application. Otherwise, you can skip right to the Minecraft Launcher client and install it directly. Both methods will be addressed below:

1. If you have a preview installed, open the Microsoft Store application on your PC and navigate to the library tab. Then, click on the Games button. There should be a listing for the preview complete with an Update button for you to tap. If not, you can click the "Get Updates" button to fetch the update from Microsoft's servers.
2. If you're downloading a preview for the first time, open your Minecraft Launcher and select the Windows edition from the game list. Click on the button that reads "Latest Release" under the splash art and then switch it to "Latest Preview" before pressing the green Install button.

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Android/iOS mobile devices

Different operating systems handle previews through different means (Image via Apple)

Accessing previews on mobile is a bit different depending on whether you're using an Android or iOS device. On Android, you can utilize the Google Play Store, but if you're playing the base game on an iOS device, you'll need to use Apple TestFlight instead. Both options will be found in the steps below for your convenience:

1. On Android, open the Google Play Store and then the store page for the game. Scroll toward the bottom. Underneath the section that reads "Join the Beta," click on the accompanying text link. The base game app will be replaced by the preview instead, allowing it to be played at your convenience.
2. On iOS, download the TestFlight app from the App Store if you haven't already. Then, head to the TestFlight signup page for the game and opt into the beta using your Apple account information. You should receive an email. Open this email and tap "View in TestFlight" and if you're a new tester, tap Accept. Hit Install or tap Update/Open if you're a returning tester.

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That's all there is to it! Once your preview is installed, it should automatically update in most circumstances. However, on Windows 10/11 PCs, you may still need to use the Microsoft Store app to update the preview.