1.16

Minecraft 1.16, the Nether Update, transformed the previously barren Nether into a biome-rich dimension and added netherite, the game's strongest material. It was released on June 23, 2020 as one of the game's numbered feature updates.

At its heart, 1.16 is turning the Nether into a place worth exploring. The standout addition is New Nether biomes, netherite gear, piglins, hoglins, and striders. Introduced piglin bartering and bastion remnants as new ways to gather Nether loot.

This page breaks 1.16 down into 16 headline features, 4 notable gameplay or technical changes and 2 documented fixes, and a plain-language summary of why the update matters. Java Edition is the original PC version of Minecraft, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The most talked-about part of the Nether Update update is New Nether biomes, netherite gear, piglins, hoglins, and striders.

In full, 1.16 adds Complete Nether overhaul with new biomes, Crimson Forest and Warped Forest biomes, Soul Sand Valley and Basalt Deltas biomes, piglins with bartering mechanics, hoglins as Nether food source, striders for lava traversal, netherite (strongest material, fire-resistant), and Bastion Remnants, with several further additions listed on the right. Together these are what make Nether Update worth updating to, and each appears in the Major Features list on this page.

Beyond new content, 1.16 reworks how parts of the game behave. The notable changes include custom world generation support, zoglins (zombified Hoglins), Piglin Brutes in bastions, and Zombified Piglins renamed from Zombie Pigmen. Adjustments of this kind reshape day-to-day play for existing worlds as much as new ones.

On the bug-fixing side, 1.16 resolves fixed many Nether-related bugs and improved biome blending. Fixes like these remove long-standing frustrations without altering how the game is meant to be played.

To play Minecraft 1.16 on Java Edition, open the official Minecraft Launcher, select the Java Edition tab, and use the version dropdown beside the Play button to choose 1.16. As a full release it appears in the standard release list by default.

Before updating an existing world to 1.16, it is good practice to copy the save folder first. Worlds from 1.15 upgrade in place, but newly generated chunks will use 1.16's world generation while older chunks keep their original terrain.