Minecraft 24w14a Update - What's New
A technical snapshot near the end of the 1.20.5 cycle. From here the game needs Java 21 and a 64-bit operating system, and the launcher ships the Microsoft build of OpenJDK 21. Data packs got a few loot and component fixes.
Overview
Minecraft 24w14a is a weekly development snapshot for Minecraft: Java Edition, published on April 3, 2024. Snapshots are Mojang's weekly previews of in-progress features (development week 14 of 2024), shipped early so the community can test and report problems before anything is finalized. This one logs 7 changes you can try in a throwaway test world.
The work in this update spans requirements and technical. On the requirements side it brings the game requires Java 21 and a 64-bit operating system is required.
This build is part of the development cycle leading to 1.20.5 (the Armored Paws update, on the road to 1.21). Treat it as a preview rather than a destination: features can change, be renamed, or be cut entirely before they reach the stable release, so it is meant for testing and feedback, not for your main world or a live server.
Changes
#Requirements(3)
- The game requires Java 21
- A 64-bit operating system is required
- The bundled Java runtime is the Microsoft build of OpenJDK 21.0.2
#Technical(4)
- Data pack version 38
- The set_attributes loot function has a replace field; set it to false to add attributes
- The text field of book components is renamed to raw
- Player head profiles can be looked up from a UUID alone
Server Admin Migration Guide
- Snapshot only, not for a live server: keep production on the current release
- Servers moving to 1.20.5 or newer need Java 21 on the host
- 32-bit hosts can no longer run the game
Known Issues
- Development snapshot for 1.20.5, features could still change before the release
What This Means
For players
Snapshots are opt-in through the official launcher. Always make a copy of any world before opening it in 24w14a, because development builds can corrupt saves and there is no guarantee the world will open in a later version. Use a fresh test world to try the new content safely.
For server admins
Do not run 24w14a on a public server. Snapshots are unsupported by server software and most plugins. Spin up a private staging instance, confirm your plugins load, and report regressions while there is still time to fix them before release.
Background & Context
- Snapshots ship roughly once a week during active development and are enabled through the "Latest snapshot" toggle in the official launcher.
- The content here was being developed toward 1.20.5 (the Armored Paws update, on the road to 1.21); individual features may have been adjusted, renamed, or removed before that version shipped.
- Always keep a backup of important worlds before changing versions; the Astroworld versions database tracks client and server compatibility for 24w14a.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Minecraft 24w14a released?
Minecraft 24w14a was released on April 3, 2024 as a weekly development snapshot for Minecraft: Java Edition.
What is new in 24w14a?
A technical snapshot near the end of the 1.20.5 cycle. From here the game needs Java 21 and a 64-bit operating system, and the launcher ships the Microsoft build of OpenJDK 21. Data packs got a few loot and component fixes. Notable entries include: The game requires Java 21; A 64-bit operating system is required; The bundled Java runtime is the Microsoft build of OpenJDK 21.0.2. In total it documents 7 changes across 2 categories.
Should I use 24w14a on my main world?
No. 24w14a is a weekly development snapshot meant for testing. Keep your main world on the latest stable release and only open a backup copy in a separate test world to try the new content.
Can I run 24w14a on a Minecraft server?
It is not recommended for a public server. Snapshot only, not for a live server: keep production on the current release. Use a private staging instance to test plugins and mods, not to host players.
Which Minecraft version is 24w14a a preview of?
24w14a is part of the development cycle for 1.20.5 (the Armored Paws update, on the road to 1.21). Features shown here are still in progress and may change before the final release.
Are there known issues in 24w14a?
Yes. Documented issues for this build include: Development snapshot for 1.20.5, features could still change before the release. Development builds are expected to have rough edges that get fixed before release.
Looking for version compatibility info?
Check client and server version details on our versions database.