Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta

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This feature is exclusive to Bedrock Edition.
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 Nintendo Switch 2 containing beta versions of the planned native Nintendo Switch 2 version of Bedrock Edition.

Joining

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A small portion of Minecraft for Nintendo Switch players on Nintendo Switch 2 devices received a notification in the 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 Discord. Shortly after, in the Minecraft Discord server, a sign-up form for the beta was shared.[1] The following requirements apply:

  • The player must be signed in to Minecraft for Nintendo Switch with their Microsoft account and enter their 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 code to obtain the beta for free in the Nintendo eShop, and download the app on their console. The sign-ups closed on September 14.[2]

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

Versions

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

According to the official announcement, the beta will not be permanent.[3] 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 26.60 on October 27, 2026.

Changes

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

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

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Device menu

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  • 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

References

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  1. ↑ https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/uyvL5gGikU
  2. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/302094807046684672/436219236420157450/1547994429019783230
  3. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/302094807046684672/436219236420157450/1542647764146458694
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Minecraft: Bedrock Edition versions
Full release (2026–present)
EntitySprite chick.png: Sprite image for chick in Minecraft Tiny Takeover
(Guide)
26.10
26.20
EntitySprite sulfur-cube.png: Sprite image for sulfur-cube in Minecraft Chaos Cubed
(Guide)
26.30
26.40
BiomeSprite dappled-forest.png: Sprite image for dappled-forest in Minecraft Wilderness Bound
(Guide)
26.50
26.60
BiomeSprite ice-caves.png: Sprite image for ice-caves in Minecraft Fourth Drop 2026
(Guide)
26.70
* indicates a reupload | † indicates a lost version
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