Minecraft 24w46a Update - What's New
A 1.21.4 snapshot with component and item model improvements. Block entities such as chests, signs and banners now also draw their normal block model, resin clumps can sit underwater, rabbits roam again and creakings survive a world reload.
Overview
Minecraft 24w46a is a weekly development snapshot for Minecraft: Java Edition, published on November 13, 2024. Snapshots are Mojang's weekly previews of in-progress features (development week 46 of 2024), shipped early so the community can test and report problems before anything is finalized. This one logs 10 changes you can try in a throwaway test world.
The work in this update spans changes, rendering, and technical. On the changes side it brings Rabbits roam around again and Creakings persist when a world is reloaded.
This build is part of the development cycle leading to 1.21.4 (The Garden Awakens drop, after 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
#Changes(5)
- Rabbits roam around again
- Creakings persist when a world is reloaded
- Creaking hearts take twice as long to mine and resist blasts twice as well
- Resin clumps can be waterlogged and placed on any full face
- Wither skeletons no longer prefer bows, and resin sounds are softer
#Rendering(2)
- Banners, heads, beds, chests, conduits, decorated pots, shulker boxes and signs also render their block model
- New special item model types for heads, standing signs and hanging signs
#Technical(3)
- Data pack version 60 and resource pack version 45
- The creaking_transient entity type is gone
- New #wither_skeleton_disliked_weapons item tag
Server Admin Migration Guide
- Snapshot only, not for a live server: keep production on the current release
- Resource packs can now add models on top of chests, signs and other block entities
Known Issues
- Development snapshot for 1.21.4, 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 24w46a, 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 24w46a 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 1.21.4 (The Garden Awakens drop, after 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 24w46a.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Minecraft 24w46a released?
Minecraft 24w46a was released on November 13, 2024 as a weekly development snapshot for Minecraft: Java Edition.
What is new in 24w46a?
A 1.21.4 snapshot with component and item model improvements. Block entities such as chests, signs and banners now also draw their normal block model, resin clumps can sit underwater, rabbits roam again and creakings survive a world reload. Notable entries include: Rabbits roam around again; Creakings persist when a world is reloaded; Creaking hearts take twice as long to mine and resist blasts twice as well. In total it documents 10 changes across 3 categories.
Should I use 24w46a on my main world?
No. 24w46a 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 24w46a 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 24w46a a preview of?
24w46a is part of the development cycle for 1.21.4 (The Garden Awakens drop, after 1.21). Features shown here are still in progress and may change before the final release.
Are there known issues in 24w46a?
Yes. Documented issues for this build include: Development snapshot for 1.21.4, 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.