Minecraft on iOS Gaining Cross-Platform Play With Android, Xbox One, Switch, and PC

This summer, Minecraft: Pocket Edition on iOS [Direct Link] will gain a free update that plans to introduce cross-platform play between most devices that the popular survival crafting game is available on, including iOS and Android smartphones, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 PC, and VR. So if you're playing on iPhone or iPad, you can still join in with a friend who only owns the game on Xbox One or PC.

Game developer Mojang said that it has always wanted to introduce a cross-platform feature, and promised that the new "Better Together Update" will bring a more consistent and unified version of Minecraft. This unification will extend into the game's subtitles, which are being nixed going forward, with Mojang explaining that Minecraft on iOS, Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the VR version, will all simply be called "Minecraft."

A game all about teamwork, building together and creating communities shouldn't be restricted to one device, which is why our Better Together Update introduces cross-platform play, breaking down the barriers and letting people play the same complete Minecraft with each other across devices! We've wanted to integrate cross-platform for ages, essentially making a version of Minecraft that's consistent no matter what device you're choosing to play on.

Better Together will also introduce cross-platform DLC support, so that any extra content that's purchased on one device will be accessible on any of the devices supported by the new update. As Mojang explained in an example, "If you buy the Greek Mythology pack on Nintendo Switch, you’ll also own it on the mobile, Xbox One and Windows 10 Editions too - no extra charge."

iOS players will see the Better Together update in the App Store sometime this summer, and on Android and VR it'll be rolled out as a simple version update as well. On Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, Mojang will give players an entirely new version of the game for free, and promised that all existing worlds and DLC will carry over to the new version of Minecraft.

The Better Together Update will also include an in-game server browser on the main menu, and a "Super Duper Graphics Pack" will come later this fall with 4K HDR support and improved lighting, shadows, and water effects. For more news about the additions, which are coming out of E3 this week, check out Mojang's blog post here.

Tag: Minecraft

Top Rated Comments

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69Mustang

24 months ago

The M$ version seems to be moving a bit more like real-life Legos where various games and adventures are packaged up, rather than the raw game Minecraft has been. That said, people have been building various kinds of games, adventures, eco-systems off the Java game for years now, so in that regard, some of that is just being packaged now to draw interest and eventually sales.

My issue is that the community is being split between the Java and C platforms? (I think it's C) Part of what a large part of the community loved was the ability to mod it and create servers (i.e.: communities) on their own. The C version seems to be reigning that in, or at least putting it back under M$'s control. For example, there is no server for the C version... aside from a reversed-engineered community effort.

I'm sure if you add the iOS, Win10, etc. it already outnumbers the Java version, and this move above might be the nail in the Java coffin. I'm not sure if I'm happy with a Minecraft future where you buy 'servers' from M$, along with everything else pre-packaged from M$.

You sure do like that 'M$':D

Rating: 2 Votes

AbSoluTc

24 months ago

Official 4K HDR support and improved lighting, shadows and water effects. In Minecraft. What a time to be alive, lol.

Cross-platform support is cool, but doesn't the mobile version still have a way to go before it can catch up to the Xbox version? I also remember them making comments a while back about how they wanted the mobile version to be more distinct from the other versions. Guess they're undoing all of that?

It's a fluster cuck of a platform right now. No Mac support, windows10/PE edition, Java edition. So on.. Minecraft on mobile is not fun in my opinion. It's a challenge. I want to play on all my devices and that includes, iOS, macOS and Windows 10.

Rating: 2 Votes

macduke

24 months ago

Yeah, it's a challenge in a bad way. As in the controls are practically unusable. It would be neat if the Mac got the non-java version. I bought it for Switch the other day because it's easier to play it with my kid than lugging my XBO upstairs. OMG I just realized the new Xbox One X would be abbreviated XBOX.
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To the best of my knowledge, the iOS version of Minecraft already supports infinite worlds, whereas the console versions of Minecraft still have constrained world limits in varying sizes depending on the platform. In that sense, the iOS version of minecraft is quite a bit ahead compared to console versions.

That may be true but I thought the mobile versions were still well behind in features. Haven't been paying close attention though. Waiting for them to keep updating their new APIs so mods are more feasible on consoles. They're making sure the community store is in place first before they officially allow mods using their new tools so they can monetize it. Smart idea and I'm sure that a lot of people like me who don't play much anymore will come back to the platform when there is a mod store so we can get some of the mods we had on java without the hassle and lag.

Rating: 2 Votes

earthTOmitchel

24 months ago

I don't get it, are there missions in minecraft or it is "only" a building game /app....

Honest question not bashing!

I honestly can't explain why I still play the game, it's really baffling even to me. I spent 100+ hours on the Xbox 360 version, and just bought the Switch version almost in a trance lol. It's just one of those games that I can totally mellow out to.

Rating: 2 Votes

Mousse

24 months ago

I don't get it, are there missions in minecraft or it is "only" a building game /app....

Honest question not bashing!

Building games are lots of fun. It's LEGOs without fire walking pain. My kids play in creative 99.44% of the time.

You can play in survival mode and have creepers blow up your shiny new house. Or you can summon Withers to pee in your cheerios. If that's not enough to brown your trousers, you can always fight the End Dragon.

Rating: 2 Votes

SteveW928

24 months ago

You sure do like that 'M$':D

Old habits die hard. :)

Rating: 1 Votes

macduke

24 months ago

Rating: 1 Votes

SteveW928

24 months ago

Isn't this what the entire article is about?

Yes, I suppose, I was talking about the current state of things.

Rating: 1 Votes

JTP3XP

24 months ago

I don't see any mention of the tvOS version - do you think that gets the update at the same time as the iOS version?

Rating: 1 Votes

Weaselboy

24 months ago

I don't get it, are there missions in minecraft or it is "only" a building game /app....

Honest question not bashing!

No missions. You just build stuff. Not my thing either, but some people really love it. I have a nephew who has built a small city in the game and he will play for hours and hours.

Rating: 1 Votes

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