Set up a Microsoft account for Minecraft

Minecraft, one of the biggest games in the world, started 2021 with news for all their players: everyone will require a Microsoft account to play, including Minecraft Java Edition that used Mojang accounts.

After these announced changes, all Minecraft players need to set up a Microsoft account where they can connect all the games supporting PC with Windows 10, Xbox One and 360 Edition, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS edition, Nintendo Wii U Edition, PlayStation 4/VR/3/Vita, Amazon Fire, Oculus, iOS and Android platforms for multiplayer mode.

Minecraft players with Mojang accounts have to migrate to Microsoft, and don’t need to be worried about their information because nothing will be lost in this process. Even if your name already exist in the new place and meet the safety guidelines, Microsoft account system will give suffixes to differentiate from each other.

Now, whether you are a player migrating from Mojang, or just a new one starting the Minecraft experience, as mentioned above, you all require to sign in to an existing Microsoft account if you already have one. Otherwise you need to create a new Microsoft account.

If you don’t have a Microsoft account for Minecraft

1. Open https://account.microsoft.com/
2. Select “Sign in”
3. And select “Create one”
4. You may also create an email.

Once you are ready with a Microsoft account, whether you want to install the Minecraft game you already own, or buy and install a new game, you can do it on your Windows 10 device. Minecraft can be downloaded on the Microsoft Store or Xbox App.

An Xbox Live Gold Subscription is need it if you want to play multiplayer mode, but if you only want to play Single mode you don’t need to subscribe to Xbox and you will not be able to use game’s aspects like Realms, connecting to servers, or Cross-platform play.

For new players

If you are considering playing Minecraft for the first time, you will need to buy and install the game on your device.

1. Go to Microsoft Store.
2. Click on Gaming
3. Select Minecraft game and click on “Buy” or “Get”.
4. Sign in to your Microsoft account, and click on “Buy” to confirm your purchase.
5. Minecraft game will install automatically.

Install your Minecraft game

When you already own Minecraft game and you need to install it in a device, there are two options:

1 – Using Microsoft Store.

• Sign in to your Microsoft account on your device.
• Go to Microsoft Store.
• Click on See more>My Library.
• Click “Install” next to the Minecraft game.

2 – Using Xbox app.

• Click on your Xbox profile.
• Click on Games I own.
• In the list of your purchased games, select “Minecraft”.

If you are needing Sing in on Xbox, you can do it directly on the console. But if you want to Sign in on a mobile or PC you will have to use the Microsoft account email address and password associated with your Xbox gamertag. Otherwise using a different Microsoft account, a new gamertag will be created.

When you are sign in on your console for the first time, the default settings associated to your Microsoft account will be based on the account owner age, and this can be customized and personalized according of the privacy settings you chose later. Same digital setup process can be completed if you have signed in to the mobile app.

However, a relevant aspect to consider about Minecraft and all the versions of this game, whether you are already an experienced player or wishing to start gaming, is the necessity of having a Microsoft account for being able to keep playing with friends and being part of this huge community all over the world.