When is the Next Minecraft Update?

If you’re refreshing the launcher, checking the latest snapshots, and wondering when the next Minecraft update is, then you’re not alone. Rather than just being patches, the drops change the way we explore the worlds and interact with all mobs. Right now, all eyes are on Minecraft 26.1, the first drop of 2026. And, from all the snapshots released till now, we have seen texture changes for the baby mobs, a new crafting recipe for Name Tags, and more such subtle features. With that said, dive right in to know when the next Minecraft update releases, its name, and all its features as well.

Next Minecraft Update Release Date and Name

The next Minecraft 26.1 update is expected to be released around late March 2026. And, based on the main theme of the drop, we can speculate that the name of the next Minecraft update will be “Cute Companions.“

We have come to this conclusion by looking at the past trends of Minecraft’s game drops. Last year, Spring to Life update was released on March 25, 2025, and all later updates were planned at the end of each quarter. Therefore, the same trend will most likely be followed in 2026 as well.

Although Mojang has not yet revealed the official name or the release date of the next drop, we will update this page the moment it is announced.

New Minecraft Update Features Coming Soon

1. Baby Mob Visual Overhaul

The baby mobs model overhaul is no doubt the star of the next Minecraft update. Remember the small mobs having giant heads and a small body. Well, that won’t be the case anymore, as with the latest Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 2, the baby mobs are now fluffier and far more expressive.

Not only have the visuals been changed, but a few baby mobs, including the wolf pups, kittens, and piglets, now have brand-new sounds. While the baby chickens now have a yellow hue, both adult and baby rabbits have received new animations.

2. Craftable Name Tags

Prior to the latest Minecraft snapshot, Name Tags could be found only from the loot chests in dungeons, mineshafts, Ancient Cities, and the Woodland Mansions. But, now, you can craft these easily using 1 Paper and any 1 metal nugget (either copper, iron, or gold).

This small change complements well with the main theme of the update, that is bonding with the animal mobs.

What is the Current Minecraft Update?

So, before the Minecraft 26.1 drop arrives, the current live update is Mounts of Mayhem. Mojang has redefined underwater exploration and combat by introducing new mobs, weapons, and weapons in this update.

Firstly, the neutral mob Nautilus can be found deep inside oceans. You can tame these creatures, ride them using a saddle, and get the Breath of the Nautilus effect to have infinite breathing underwater. However, look out for the Zombie Nautilus as the Drowned mob may be riding them with a trident.

Apart from these, other new mobs include Parched, a new hostile mob in the desert, Camel Husks, an undead variant of the Camels, and the Zombie Horses. Another important addition to this update is the Spear weapon, which introduces a new way of combat using the Jab and Charged Attack. You can further enhance this weapon with the Lunge enchantment and charge onto enemies with a short Jab attack.

So, that concludes all the features of the next Minecraft update, including its release date and name. Have you checked all of these features by downloading the latest snapshot or preview on the launcher? Let us know in the comments below.