Bedrock Edition 1.2.0

1.2, also known as the Better Together Update, was a major update to Pocket Edition that renamed it to simply Minecraft, added support for the Xbox One, introduced cross-platform gameplay, and leaped the game much closer to feature parity with the Java Edition, adding features such as new world options, armor stands, firework rockets, and more. It was released on September 20, 2017, although the full rollout took a few days due to the large number of distribution channels and target devices involved. Support for the Nintendo Switch was also added to the game, however it was not deployed to that platform initially due to problems with cross-device connectivity and upgrading of old worlds. The target date for Switch deployment was postponed until sometime in 2018.

This update represented an important advance in the history of computer gaming in that it extended crossplay (short for cross-platform gameplay, the ability of players on different platforms to play interactively in the same world) to virtually all of the newest-generation gaming platforms. Previously, the Pocket Edition had supported crossplay between mobile, Windows 10, and VR platforms. This update added support for the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, drastically increasing the number of devices that could participate.

The updated game was also designed to work with the Sony PlayStation 4, but Sony has declined to participate as of September 2017. Microsoft said that it was in ongoing talks with Sony about a possible future agreement. Microsoft also stated that it will consider porting this update to Macintosh, Linux, or any other platform with sufficiently strong demand, further expanding the crossplay concept.

With the unification of so many different platforms under one version of the game, the former nickname and epithet "Pocket Edition" became even more outdated than it had been. Henceforth Microsoft intends to refer to this version as the "Bedrock Engine" or "Bedrock Edition" when it's necessary to distinguish it from versions for non-crossplaying platforms or from the larger game-as-a-whole concept. (The "bedrock" part comes from the internal name for its source code database.) Unlike the editions for other platforms, this nickname will not be included as a subtitle in the new official name of the version, which is the generic Minecraft to emphasize its broad range of supported devices. The original Java version of Minecraft, which formerly held that name, was officially renamed to Minecraft: Java Edition in keeping with its platform specificity.

General

 * Splitscreen functionality
 * In-game help guide
 * How to play/tutorial screen
 * New loading screens with tips
 * Common swear words (in many languages, including Japanese and Chinese) are now censored by the game.
 * A new crafting UI incorporating the recipe book
 * The old MATTIS crafting system can still be used
 * Options
 * World starting preferences
 * Starting Map
 * Bonus Chest
 * Trust Players
 * Gamerule preferences
 * TNT Explodes
 * Natural Regeneration
 * Gamerules can be toggled in the options menu
 * Player permissions
 * In-game server host options
 * Worlds can now be set to Invite Only, Friends Only, or Friends of Friends
 * Render Clouds and Fancy Leaves can now be toggled in Video Settings
 * Remix 3D export functionality (Windows 10 only)
 * Underwater particles

Gameplay

 * Dual wielding
 * You can now put a map in the off hand


 * Crafting
 * The crafting system now incorporates the recipe book.

Command format

 * Version exclusive :
 * Replaces the functionality of spawn chunks in the Java Edition and allows the creation of areas that update even if no player is around
 * Many ticking areas can be created as long as the chunk limit is not exceeded
 * Ticking areas work inter-dimensional
 * Enables features such as crop growth, command blocks, redstone and mob activity when the player is not around
 * Command variations:
 * (adds a ticking area for a set string in a defined area)
 * (adds a ticking area for a set string in a defined circular area)
 * (removes a ticking area from a position)
 * (removes a ticking area from a set string)
 * (removes all ticking areas)
 * (lists all ticking areas)
 * Version exclusive :
 * Prevents entities from despawning and makes an entity load the world
 * Optional despawn distance available for entities which should despawn when players are far away (eg Ender Dragon)
 * @s selector
 * Used to target the entity executing the command

World generation

 * Ravines

Blocks

 * Banners
 * Jukeboxes
 * Coarse dirt
 * Structure Blocks
 * Version exclusive : Only usable in Windows 10 Edition and have a 3D Export mode which can’t be changed.

Items

 * Armor stands
 * Book and quill
 * Version exclusive : Can hold two pages at the same screen
 * Version exclusive : Edit button to change the words per page
 * Firework star
 * Firework rocket
 * Version exclusive : Can be launched in any direction depending on the direction a dispenser is facing
 * Music discs
 * Spawn eggs
 * Parrot
 * Zombie villager

Entities

 * Parrots
 * Armor stands
 * Version exclusive : Can hold tools such as swords without need of commands
 * Version exclusive : Have a limited amount of poses that can be switched between by sneaking and interacting with them (right-clicking by default).
 * Version exclusive : Redstone power can also change the pose

General

 * App name is now "Minecraft"
 * Optimized chunk generation and loading
 * Skins can be changed from the pause menu
 * Chat messages can now be muted
 * Block selections can be shown using a black outline, rather than displaying the block as a lighter color (similar to the Java Edition)
 * Old block selection interface can still be used, although the new interface is default on Xbox One and Switch
 * Hiding UI elements now hides block selections as well
 * Redesigned button mapping and added Pick Block for controllers
 * Increased the default player limit on worlds from 5 to 8 on higher-end devices
 * New loading screen when entering a new world or crossing dimensions

Gameplay

 * Brewing now requires blaze powder
 * Items picked up are now animated on the hotbar
 * Temperature decreases with height
 * Block placement speed now matches the player's movement speed
 * Adjusted the color that flashes when mobs are attacked
 * Fishing now uses the proper loot tables to acquire enchanted items and books
 * Text chat can now be opened with controllers and touch screens when sleeping in a bed
 * Players can now go to bed if there are monsters nearby on Peaceful difficulty
 * Directional audio will continue to match the player's point of view while standing still
 * Increased the pace and smoothness of moving up stairs while riding a mob
 * The chat screen can now be closed by pressing Enter when no text is present
 * Controller sensitivity is now set to 50 by default
 * The pause button now appears on the HUD (Android Only)
 * New trade offers from villagers can be observed quicker, after the trades are unlocked
 * Only one bucket can be placed in a furnace at a time
 * Players can no longer drink milk instantly after milking a cow
 * Players can now spawn into areas occupied by partial blocks
 * The GUI can now be hidden by pressing F1 while riding in boats
 * You now start creative mode worlds with an empty hotbar.

Command format

 * Version exclusive : A user interface layer to easily set the teleport, time and weather commands.
 * New command parsing system
 * Autocomplete works "everywhere", including selector arguments
 * Version exclusive :  used for coordinates relative to the direction the player is facing.
 * Version exclusive :  to make the target entity face a specified location/entity upon teleportation.
 * is selectable in commands now.
 * Version exclusive :  is also selectable in commands now.
 * Version exclusive : is now its own separate command
 * Players with Op status will now receive messages about commands that were entered by another Op
 * Players with Op status will now receive messages about commands that were entered by another Op

World generation

 * Woodland Mansions will now spawn with birch wood floors instead of oak

Blocks

 * Item frames converted from blocks to entities
 * Beacon light beams change color when going through stained glass and stained glass panes
 * Version exclusive : The light only takes the color of the highest stained glass and colors can’t be mixed
 * Ice is now transparent
 * Stained glass and stained glass panes now have their own textures, and are obtainable without the use of inventory editors.
 * Version exclusive : Changed the inventory icons for glass panes, stained glass panes and iron bars
 * Banners now spawn on end cities
 * Observer blocks have updated textures and will now blink red when outputting a redstone pulse
 * Brick blocks, nether brick blocks, and clay blocks have been renamed to better differentiate from other items
 * Single glass panes, stained glass panes, and iron bars are now rod-shaped
 * A message will now display when a bed is too far away when attempting to sleep
 * Observer blocks can now detect many more block changes
 * Increased the strength of the redstone pulse outputted by Observer blocks and they no longer pulse twice when observing a retracting piston
 * Colored beds can no longer be dyed using the same color of dye
 * Trapdoors will now open when placed to adjacent, active power sources
 * The underside of sandstone slabs now have the cracked texture
 * Mycelium no longer turns into dirt when there's a giant mushroom above it
 * Blocks can now be placed on top of fences that have Lead knots attached
 * Shulker boxes are initially crafted as an undyed variant rather than purple, as a result there are now 17 shulker box colors
 * Pistons now push arrows
 * Diorite, andesite, and granite can no longer be used as a replacement for stone in crafting recipes
 * Monster spawners are now only able to spawn up to 4 mobs at a time
 * Paintings can now occupy same space as snow and carpet
 * Emerald ore can no longer be mined with a stone pickaxe
 * Signs no longer catch fire

Items

 * Version exclusive : Player heads now appear on maps
 * Items can now travel upwards through solid blocks, allowing for 3x3 item elevators
 * Locator maps now track the owner's position, regardless of dimension
 * Arrows now shake upon impact with blocks
 * Empty maps can now be combined with a compass on an anvil to create a locator map
 * Incrementally zooming out a map and renaming it on an anvil now costs only experience level
 * Maps, including exploration maps, can now be obtained using the command

Entities

 * Mobs will now avoid cacti, fire, and lava
 * Mooshroom now only spawns on mycelium blocks
 * Witches will now drink Potion of Fire Resistance when standing on magma blocks
 * Skeletons, strays, and zombie pigmen now have a chance of spawning with enchanted gear and weapons
 * Skeleton horses can now be saddled
 * Lingering water bottles will now deal damage to blazes, endermen, and snow golems
 * Ghast fireballs can now set obsidian on fire and open Nether portals
 * The snow golem's face can now only be seen once it's sheared.
 * Leash knots can now be untied using right-click
 * Leash knots now play a sound when placed
 * Shooting bows and eating can now be done while riding in a minecart
 * Particles will now appear when the ender dragon uses its dragon's breath attack while perched
 * Sheared sheep will no longer drop wool when they die
 * Boats no longer continue to move when the player leaves the boat and a mob is still in it
 * Adult polar bears now panic when on fire
 * Farmer villagers now trade 5-7 apples for one emerald
 * Riding a horse while eating or drinking will no longer slow it down

Fixes

 * The moon is now correctly oriented
 * Ghasts will no longer shoot fireballs from farther than they can be seen
 * 'Great View From Up Here' achievement is now unlockable
 * Players will no longer burn when standing near lava in the Nether
 * The Lapis Lazuli icon is no longer missing from the Enchantment Table screen
 * Wolves tamed by players not present in a session will no longer change their whole body color
 * End rods now give off light particles
 * Glazed Terracotta now shows proper colors on maps
 * Dandelions can now be crafted into yellow dye when Pocket UI is enabled
 * Fixed quartz pillars not being craftable using Pocket UI
 * Fixed the level up sound not playing for every five levels gained
 * Other players should no longer be seen levitating in their sleep
 * Sounds now play when witches drink potions
 * Fixed a crash that could occur when destroying maps
 * Fixed a crash that could occur when the host enters a portal in multiplayer
 * Fixed the texture of fences in the inventory and in-hand
 * The available enchants on enchantment tables will no longer revert back to the originally available enchants upon world reload
 * Evokers will no longer attack players on Peaceful difficulty
 * Mining speed with Haste II and Efficiency V has been increased to its correct speed
 * Signs can no longer be set on fire
 * Fixed the hand placement of tools on the inventory screen
 * Fixed names above baby animals being too high
 * Fixed an item duplication issue that occurred when Pocket UI was enabled
 * Fixed the position of several items when held in the off-hand
 * Horses can no longer run off when loading a world if they were leashed to a fence
 * Fixed graphical issues that sometimes occurred at sunset
 * The proper sound now plays when Evokers are transforming blue sheep
 * The cellular data warning message will now appear in Settings when using a controller
 * Singleplayer worlds no longer appear in the Friends tab
 * Anvils will no longer consume the entire input stack when crafting a map
 * Fixed some players appearing invisible in-game when they should not be
 * Fixed a crash when placing Glazed Terracotta with and  commands
 * Fixed the controller tooltips shown on the inventory screen when placing and taking items
 * Fixed icons stretching in the inventory when Pocket UI was enabled
 * The crosshair now points at the correct block when sneaking
 * Opening and closing the command block screen will no longer activate an observer block
 * Fixed seeing through stairs, End portal and hoppers when they are placed next to each other
 * Fixed milking a cow with the last bucket in a stack not giving milk
 * Explosions near water will now properly deal damage to players and mobs
 * The Wither will no longer play overlapping sounds
 * Items will now be pushed when a transparent block is placed over them
 * Creepers now flash properly when they're about to explode
 * Chicken jockeys will no longer sink in the water
 * Lingering potions will no longer clip through the player that threw them
 * Block highlighting will no longer appear when Hide GUI is enabled
 * Different top slab types no longer override each other
 * Arrows will no longer infinitely bounce off the top of players in Creative mode
 * Fixed a rogue pixel on the nametag texture
 * Creepers will now take damage if they fall while following players
 * End Stone now has the proper blast resistance
 * Evocation fangs can now be summoned using commands
 * Mobs will now drop loot and XP orbs when killed with a splash or lingering Potion of Decay
 * Evokers no longer run away from invisible players
 * Vexes will now attack villagers and iron golems
 * Arrows are no longer deflected when shooting at burning mobs
 * When fishing, the bobber will now submerge and play the right sound when a fish bites
 * Realms that were named with the '§' symbol can now be renamed
 * Command block chat messages will no longer appear on the pause menu
 * Slimes will no longer clip through blocks
 * Fish hooks will now properly stick to mobs
 * Adventure mode can now be selected in the world settings for imported template worlds that were set to Adventure by default
 * Baby villagers have learned how to hold items the right way
 * Open fence gates can no longer push or pull entities
 * The Ender Dragon's wings will no longer flicker
 * The texture on top of TNT no longer rotates when ignited
 * Adult polar bears now drop the correct amount of XP
 * Cauldron water will no longer briefly change color when pushed by a piston
 * Llamas will no longer creepily turn their heads to stare at the player while riding them
 * Various fixes to the Marketplace screens
 * Bats can no longer swim underwater
 * Redstone repeaters and comparators now have the proper bottom texture
 * The command will now cause damage if [amplifier: int] is 255
 * Villagers no longer accept Charcoal as Coal while trading
 * Fishing rods are now held properly in-hand
 * The base of end crystals have been adjusted
 * Nether Brick block side textures have been brightened
 * The title now displays properly on the dispenser screen
 * Iron Golems can no longer be knocked back with Punch arrows
 * Iron Golems will now avoid fire
 * Beds can no longer be placed in a way that clips through snow layers
 * Various fixes to the Storage screen
 * Setting the 'sendcommandfeedback' gamerule to false no longer prevents players from displaying non-op commands such as and
 * Fixed texture clipping on the inside of Shulker boxes
 * Shulker box opening and closing animations are now much faster
 * Shulker boxes are now held properly in-hand
 * Shulker boxes will now remain open until all players have closed the inventory
 * Shulker boxes can now be opened when placed adjacent to Shulkers
 * Shulker boxes placed by dispensers will now rotate based on the surrounding blocks
 * Shulker boxes are no longer misaligned in item frames
 * Shulker boxes now play the proper sound when placed and broken
 * Shulker boxes dropped as an item can now be destroyed by explosions
 * Shulker boxes now change their collision box when opened
 * Shulkers can now be teleported using commands
 * Shulkers can no longer be set on fire
 * Shulkers have improved their camouflage and have restored their original color
 * Shulkers can now be spawned upside-down from spawn eggs
 * Shulkers can no longer teleport into a block already occupied by another Shulker
 * Shulkers will now teleport out of water
 * The hand will no longer wave repeatedly when a player can't build
 * Bone meal is now properly consumed on tall grass and ferns
 * Minecarts now wobble correctly when passing over activator rails
 * Giving a resistance amplifier of 8 or higher no longer causes players to gain absorption health when hurt
 * Fixed up the Ender Dragon's death animation so its wings no longer turn white
 * Light no longer stays visible after burning a two-block tall plant
 * Entities that are teleported while in boats or minecarts will no longer be teleported underground
 * Fixed the text height on signs in the Greek Mythology Texture Pack
 * Custom skins will now show properly on the skin picker without having to re-launch the game
 * The command will now return proper results, if failed
 * The command now gives repeaters the correct delay
 * 'Pick block' will no longer behave strangely after dropping items from the inventory
 * Blocks that are affected by gravity will no longer break when pushed by a piston facing up
 * Repeating command blocks that are copied with 'pick block' and then placed will now activate repeatedly
 * The "Open" button will no longer appear when looking at a command block in minecart while playing Survival
 * Fixed redstone ore producing too many particles when items are dropped on top of them
 * The Wither will now die in the void
 * The Wither's heads will now look around more and skulls will now shoot from multiple heads
 * Adjusted the look of Buttons that are equipped in-hand
 * Large chests will now clone correctly when using the command
 * Fixed the missing wolf idle sounds
 * Fixed some mismatched villager trading sounds
 * Cats now purr again
 * Beds placed with the and  commands will no longer be invisible
 * Players will no longer fall one block when teleporting with an ender pearl
 * Magma Cubes will now take drowning damage
 * Villagers will now run away from Vindicators, Evokers, and Vexes
 * Can no longer see through blocks when viewed from below and underwater
 * Non-dyed leather armor with no longer use up water from a cauldron
 * 'Pick Block' now works on llamas to get llama spawn eggs
 * Arrows are now destroyed by end crystal explosions
 * Arrows are now destroyed when using  and
 * Other mob heads no longer appear momentarily when a mob head is placed
 * Fixed exploration maps showing as blank until the game is re-launched
 * Fixed Add-Ons with dependencies not loading if there was another activated pack with dependencies
 * Baby mob heads are now scaled properly with Add-Ons
 * When an Ocelot spawns with two baby Ocelots, the baby Ocelots can now be tamed
 * Mobs are now properly affected by Splash Potion of Strength
 * Seeds will no longer pop off of covered farmland at night
 * Farmland will only dry up if there is no nearby water and nothing is planted on it
 * Arrows can now be picked up after shooting at Endermen
 * Air bubbles will no longer appear on the HUD when suffocating inside blocks
 * The command can no longer be executed if the Y coordinate has a negative value
 * Zombie Villagers now sit at the proper height in boats and minecarts
 * Baby Zombie Jockeys will now properly mount mobs
 * Rabbits now hop at the proper speed
 * The ‘mobgriefing’ gamerule now applies to Monster Egg blocks
 * Blocks can no longer be seen through when flying close to the ground with Elytra in third-person