Minecraft 1.17 was Caves & Cliffs: Part I, released in 2021. The update steps depend on your edition and device—but the ordinary update controls are generally for getting the latest release, not choosing old version 1.17. In 2026, following those steps should not be expected to install 1.17 specifically.
First, identify your edition and goal
Java Edition is updated through the Minecraft Launcher on PC or Mac. Bedrock Edition uses the store or update controls for the device you play on. Minecraft’s general update guide describes how to update the game; it does not establish a universal current method for installing historical version 1.17.
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- Want the newest version? Use the applicable steps below. The launcher or platform will offer the current update if one is available.
- Need version 1.17 specifically? Do not assume the standard update button will install it. The official guidance cited here does not confirm a current historical-version selection path across platforms.
If you are unsure which edition you have, consult Minecraft’s Java or Bedrock Edition guide.
Update Minecraft Java Edition on PC or Mac
- Open the Minecraft Launcher.
- Check the version selector beside the Play button. If it does not show the latest release, open the arrow beside Play and select Latest Release, as described in the official update guide.
- Click Play to launch that release.
Mojang’s June 8, 2021 Java 1.17 release notes said, “To install the release, open up the Minecraft Launcher and click play!” That was release-time guidance; it is not proof that choosing Latest Release today selects 1.17.
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- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Java runtime note for 1.17
The official 1.17 notes say the default launcher setup downloads and installs the right Java runtime. A custom Java setup or third-party launcher required Java 16 or above for that release. This is a historical requirement for running 1.17, not a recommendation to change the Java installation used by the current official launcher.
Update Minecraft Bedrock Edition by device
These steps are for updating through the platform’s normal controls. They do not establish a way to roll back or select 1.17.
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- Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs
iPhone or iPad
- Open the App Store and search for Minecraft.
- Tap Update if that option is offered. If no update is offered, the store has no update available for you at that time.
Android
- Open Google Play and search for Minecraft.
- Tap Update if the button is available.
Windows
- Open Microsoft Store.
- Go to Library.
- Select Get Updated to check for updates to installed apps, following the wording in Minecraft’s update guide.
Xbox
- Open My Apps & Games.
- Select Minecraft, then open Manage game & add-ons.
- Choose Updates. The official guide says that if no update is listed there, the game is fully updated.
PlayStation 4
The official guide specifically describes PS4: the game should update automatically. If automatic updates are disabled, select Minecraft, open its options menu, and choose Check for Update. The cited instructions are for PS4; menu steps may differ on other PlayStation generations.
Nintendo Switch
Minecraft’s update guide provides eShop instructions, but its wording refers to “Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition” and legacy transition steps. The labels may not match the current Switch interface, so follow the options shown for your installed Minecraft version rather than assuming those older labels remain unchanged.
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- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Can you install version 1.17 instead of the latest release?
The official general guide routes Java players to Latest Release, and the Java 1.17 release note gave a launch-time instruction to click Play. Neither source confirms the current launcher screens for creating a separate historical 1.17 installation. The reviewed official guidance also does not establish whether a particular Bedrock store or console permits a retail rollback to 1.17.
So, if you specifically need 1.17—for example, to join a server or use a world tied to that version—check the current version-selection options for your exact platform before changing anything. Do not treat a normal update as a version downgrade or as a guarantee that old builds remain available.
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What 1.17 included—and what it did not
Version 1.17 was Caves & Cliffs: Part I, not the complete Caves & Cliffs update. Version 1.18, Part II, completed the update and was released for Java on November 30, 2021, according to Mojang’s Part II announcement.
Mojang’s Bedrock 1.17.0 release notes reported that the iOS update was over 200 MB at launch and that downloads above the stated cellular-data limit required Wi-Fi. That is a 2021 release note, not a claim about the current download size. The same notes said support ended with that update for Fire TV Gen1, Fire TV Gen2, and Android KitKat OS v20 and below; this historical notice is not a current full device-compatibility list.
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