No. In vanilla Minecraft, a bow is not an eligible target for the Netherite Upgrade, so you cannot make a netherite bow at a smithing table. To change a bow’s performance, use enchantments such as Power, Flame, Punch, or Unbreaking.
Why a bow cannot be upgraded to netherite
Mojang’s official netherite overview lists netherite armor and tools, plus swords, as equipment that can be upgraded; bows are not on that list. The modern smithing system uses templates to specify which item types an upgrade accepts. Mojang’s Java Edition Snapshot 23w04a notes describe the Netherite Upgrade template as the control for that upgrade, and bows are not identified as eligible.
That means a netherite ingot by itself is not a universal upgrade ingredient. The old procedure of combining an ingot with diamond equipment predates the template requirement in Java’s 1.20 smithing redesign. The Java Edition 1.20 release notes retain the template-based system and state that Netherite Upgrade templates are found in Bastion Remnant chests.
How to improve a bow instead
For vanilla Bedrock gameplay, Microsoft’s Bedrock Creator enchantment documentation lists several bow-compatible enchantments. Choose based on the effect you want:
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| Enchantment | Effect |
|---|---|
| Power | Increases arrow damage. |
| Flame | Ignites arrows when shot. |
| Punch | Increases arrow knockback. |
| Unbreaking | Reduces durability damage taken by the bow. |
These are Bedrock Creator documentation details; enchantment behavior and availability can depend on the Minecraft edition and version you play.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What about mods or custom servers?
Mods, add-ons, snapshots, and custom servers can change vanilla rules and may introduce a netherite bow or another bow upgrade. The vanilla answer does not establish what any particular custom content allows: check its documentation for the exact edition, version, and item behavior.
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