Minecraft brings official mod support to ALL platforms — And the first free add-ons are already here
Sideloading mods is still available for the Bedrock Edition, but this will bring add-ons to everyone.
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What you need to know
Minecraft is infamously divided into two versions: the modern and universal Bedrock Edition and the legacy Java Edition. The former is available on essentially all major gaming platforms with a flexible, secure foundation, while the former is exclusive to Windows PC (and macOS and Linux) but offers more powerful features like easy mod support. Well, that particular massive difference is about to become a lot less relevant.
On Tuesday,Mojang Studiosannounced a feature thatMinecraftplayers have been requesting for years: official mod support for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition onallplatforms. The mods come in the form of “add-ons” that will be built by official Minecraft partners and creators, vetted by Mojang Studios to ensure safety and quality, and offered through the cross-platform Minecraft Marketplace. It’s a monumental step forward for the oddly maligned (but absolutely necessary) Bedrock Edition of Minecraft.
What are Minecraft: Bedrock Edition add-ons?
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Add-ons are for all intents and purposes mods, but will be as easy to install and manage as all other Minecraft Marketplace content, sync to your Microsoft Account, be compatible with all existing worlds, and work seamlessly acrossWindows PC,Xbox,PlayStation,Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Even better, add-ons will work with multiplayer worlds and Minecraft Realms, and only the host or Realm owner needs to have the mods.
So, what can add-ons do? Well, essentially anything mods can do already, but I can provide some examples. Using add-ons, you’ll be able to safely add new content to and even totally manipulate your Minecraft experience, including adding custom blocks and mobs, introducing new mechanics like fast travel portals, furnishing your homes with boutique furniture and appliances, and even (finally) keeping proper pets. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination and skill of Minecraft developers.
There’s also another benefit to add-ons: the talented creators behind the best Minecraft mods will be able to monetize their creations, if they decide to. Many modders voluntarily create wonderful mods for thebest PC games, but oftentimes are simply unable to sell their mods in an official capacity. The Minecraft Marketplace changes that — and I’m all for supporting creators. To celebrate the momentous launch, though,Mojang Studios is offering everyone a bundle of free add-ons to try out(just navigate to the “Add-ons” tab)!
What about sideloading mods to the Bedrock Edition?
The more informed among you may seek to correct me that Minecraft: Bedrock Edition does, in fact, support mods already; that’s true, but only in a limited capacity. The significantly less impressive mod library for the Bedrock Edition only works on Windows PC, Xbox, and mobile devices, and both requires more work and provides less control than Minecraft: Java Edition mods. Regardless, Mojang Studios has assured players that sideloading Minecraft: Bedrock Edition mods isn’t changing in the slightest — that option will still be available, as long as mod creators continue to follow Minecraft’s terms and conditions.
When are the first Minecraft add-ons releasing?
Oh, now! The first batch of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition add-ons is already available fromFeb. 20, 2024for the purpose of testing this brand-new feature and collecting feedback from the community. As Mojang matures the add-ons tools and creators acclimate to this fresh paradigm, more and more add-ons will be made available through the Minecraft Marketplace. The Minecraft studio promises that there’s a lot more to come this year.
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As I mentioned above, too, Mojang is offering any and all Minecraft players a free bundle featuring some of the first add-ons being brough to the Minecraft Marketplace. There are 11 add-ons in total in the very first batch, and six of them are free! Here’s a list:
As if that wasn’t enough, Mojang recently dropped another exciting announcement:another new mob is coming in the Minecraft 1.21 update, and it’s mind-boggling (forgive the pun).
A dream come true
As long as Mojang Studios works with Minecraft developers to bring a healthy, accessible, and interesting library of mods and add-ons to the Minecraft Marketplace, this will truly be a dream come true for Bedrock Edition players. One of the largest discrepancies between Minecraft versions is finally being addressed, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m excited to see how add-ons evolve for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, and whether it’ll breathe fresh life into Minecraft’s well-known formula.
Are you excited for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition add-ons? What do you want to see made possible in the universal version of Minecraft? Let us know in the comments.
Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter@BoddyZachary.
