Minecraft:Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta

File:Bedrock 26.50.21.jpg

Beta 26.50.21, the first version of the Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta

The Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta (titled Minecraft Closed Beta on the Nintendo Switch 2 HOME Menu) is an application for Template:W containing beta versions of the planned native Nintendo Switch 2 version of Template:BE.

Joining

A small portion of Minecraft for Nintendo Switch players on Nintendo Switch 2 devices received a notification in the Minecraft:Inbox on August 7, 2026, allowing them to download the beta from the Nintendo eShop. On August 14, more users were enrolled in the beta.

On August 27, the beta was first publicly announced in the Minecraft Feedback Minecraft:Discord. Shortly after, in the Minecraft Discord server, a sign-up form for the beta was shared.<ref>https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/uyvL5gGikU</ref> The following requirements apply:

• The player must be signed in to Minecraft for Nintendo Switch with their Microsoft account and enter their Minecraft:gamertag.
• The beta is restricted to the following regions: Americas, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and South Africa. The invite will only be valid when the user is in the selected region.
• The player must have a Nintendo Switch 2 to play the beta, although this is not required for receiving the invite.

Users who met these requirements and sent the form in shortly after it was posted received an email with a link to obtain the beta for free in the Nintendo eShop, and download the app on their console. The sign-ups closed on September 14.<ref>https://discord.com/channels/302094807046684672/436219236420157450/1547994429019783230</ref>

An in-game feedback poll was sent to enrolled players in the Inbox on August 30, 2026.

Versions

The Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta received some of the Minecraft:development versions of the regular update cycle, at a delayed pace.

• August 7, 2026: Minecraft:beta 26.50.21
• August 11, 2026: Minecraft:beta 26.50.24
• August 25, 2026: Minecraft:beta 26.50.26
• September 8, 2026: Minecraft:beta 26.60.21

According to the official announcement, the beta will not be permanent.<ref name=":0">https://discord.com/channels/302094807046684672/436219236420157450/1542647764146458694</ref> The form states that it will also not be possible to transfer any content out of the beta. The native version is planned to release in Minecraft:26.60 on October 27, 2026.

Changes

The differences between the Nintendo Switch build, backward-compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, and this native beta are as follows:

• Minecraft:Vibrant Visuals is now available.
  • The maximum render distance is 16 chunks.
  • Point lights are not available.
• The render distance without Vibrant Visuals is 28 chunks instead of 12.

As a beta version:

• Cross-platform play is not available, except for Preview Minecraft:Realms but only when the Minecraft:protocol version number matches with the latest Preview.
• Minecraft:Achievements are not available.
• The "Render Dragon Features for Creators" experiment is available.
• Subscriptions cannot be managed.
• Exclusive Minecraft:loading tips can be seen, the only Minecraft:splash is "Beta!!!", and the Minecraft:logo is different.
• Debug text is always displayed at the top of the screen.

Gallery

Screenshots

• In-game notification received by eligible players
  In-game notification received by eligible players
• Notification details
  Notification details
• The Get started menu
  The Get started menu
• Minecraft:Vibrant Visuals in-game
  Minecraft:Vibrant Visuals in-game
• A Minecraft:dappled forest
  A Minecraft:dappled forest
• A Minecraft:copper torch
  A Minecraft:copper torch
• A Minecraft:soul torch
  A Minecraft:soul torch
• A Minecraft:redstone torch
  A Minecraft:redstone torch

Device menu

• The eShop page opened from the in-game notification
  The eShop page opened from the in-game notification
• "Minecraft Closed Beta" on the Nintendo Switch 2 Home menu
  "Minecraft Closed Beta" on the Nintendo Switch 2 Home menu