Better Together Update

The Better Together Update is an upcoming update to Pocket Edition (Android/iOS only) and Windows 10 Edition, and a new version of the Xbox One Edition and Nintendo Switch Edition, with no set release date. It will be released for Pocket Edition as version 1.2, and as a new version for the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Beta testing for the update began on July 31, 2017. According to the Better Together FAQ, it will release in fall 2017. The update for the Xbox One Edition will be free to gamers who own a digital copy or have played the disc version for at least 5 hours in the past 12 months. The legacy versions for the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One will no longer receive updates once the full version is released.

The official name for the update, Better Together Update, reflects the planned addition of cross-platform compatibility between the Pocket Edition (Android/iOS only), Windows 10 Edition, Xbox One Edition, Gear VR Edition, and Nintendo Switch Edition. The editions will be merged under one title - "Minecraft".

With the release of the Better Together Update, the original PC version, which is officially named Minecraft but commonly called "the Java edition", will be renamed to Minecraft: Java Edition to distinguish it from the cross-platform version.

A Beta has been released for Windows 10 Edition, Pocket Edition on Android and Xbox One Edition

New version-exclusive features

 * How to Play tutorial
 * In-game shortcuts for certain commands
 * Featured servers

Features ported from Console Edition

 * Blocks
 * Banner
 * Coarse Dirt
 * Jukebox
 * Structure Block (limited function, only on Windows 10)
 * Items
 * Music Disc
 * Armor Stand
 * Book and Quill and Written Book
 * Firework Rocket
 * Firework Star
 * Mobs
 * Parrot
 * Generated structures
 * Ravine
 * Other
 * Ability to include a starting map and/or bonus chest when creating a world
 * Splitscreen
 * Choice of outline instead of highlight for block selection
 * Brewing Stand must be fueled with Blaze Powder

Features ported from, or similar to, Java Edition

 * New crafting system based on the Recipe Book
 * Server list
 * command for functionality similar to spawn chunks
 * Ability to change player skin while playing a world
 * Player permissions
 * Stained Glass and Stained Glass Pane are colored and drop themselves when broken
 * Coordinates