Does Minecraft need Wi-Fi on iPhone, iPad, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS4 or Windows 10? How to play Minecraft offline in 2021


Minecraft figure chasing a bee - Does Minecraft need Wi-Fi
Credit: Mojang

Does Minecraft need Wi-Fi? Minecraft is an immensely popular game, beloved by players all over the world. Generally, players are quite happy to play the game online, while connected to the servers.

But there is a question mark over whether or not it's possible to play the game offline. We know that Minecraft likes to autosave via its servers, for which a Wi-Fi or internet connection might be necessary. But does Minecraft need Wi-Fi? Find out here.

Does Minecraft need Wi-Fi?

The good news is that yes, it is possible to play Minecraft without the need to be always online. While this presents some of its own challenges, you get the benefit of not having to worry about having a stable internet connection, reduced lag, or annoying updates.

On the other hand, those annoying updates are what ensure you are playing the most up-to-date edition of the game. Playing offline means you may miss out on new features within the game. You'll also be unable to access the marketplace, or play multiplayer. But if you aren't going to miss any of that, then here's how you can play Minecraft offline.

How to play Minecraft: Java Edition offline in 2021

With the Java Edition, the first time you launch Minecraft, you'll need an internet connection. But once you've connected once, you'll be in a position to play offline without any issues. The Java Edition is available across platforms - Windows PC, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PS4.

How to play Minecraft: Bedrock Edition offline in 2021

The Bedrock Edition is equally widely available - Xbox, Windows 10, iOS, Android, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. The Bedrock Edition is the unified version of the game which offers the same experience across all platforms. It also enables cross-play.

This is a feature which won't, obviously, be available if you are playing offline. With the Bedrock Edition, you are encouraged to use a Microsoft account to sign in. But once you have signed in once, you no longer need to be signed in to play. So you can sign out, then launch the game, and play offline.

Additionally, with both versions, you can always just try launching the game without an internet connection. The launcher on PC, will give you the option to "Play Offline". You will then be able to play without any further action required.

On other devices, launching the game without an internet connection shouldn't be an issue. Disconnecting from the internet should then automatically launch the game in offline mode.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Gaming, How To, and Minecraft pages.