Last year Microsoft rolled out the Minecraft Better Together update – one of its most substantial yet with a reworked engine, cross-platform multiplayer, and the Minecraft Marketplace. Minecraft’s Nintendo Switch version just saw the update one year late, bringing long-awaited unification between several platforms. This allows Xbox One and Nintendo Switch players can play together too, joining a growing library pushing cross-play between the duo.

Continue for a breakdown on using cross-play between Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions of Minecraft.

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Setting up Minecraft cross-play for Xbox One

Preparing cross-play on Xbox One is straightforward, thanks to relaxed content restrictions over other platforms. And with direct Xbox Live integration on the console, you’ll be ready to go after installing the game. Xbox One users should ensure “Minecraft” is used, rather than the incompatible “Minecraft: Xbox One Edition.”

Open the Microsoft Store on Xbox One.
Select the Search title.
Type Minecraft.
Select Minecraft from the available titles.
Download Minecraft. This will be a free download for existing Minecraft: Xbox One Edition owners. For new buyers, the game is priced at $19.99.
Open Minecraft.
After completing the above steps, your Xbox One is primed for Minecraft cross-play with other systems.

Setting up Minecraft cross-play for Nintendo Switch

Cross-play on Nintendo Switch brings a few additional hurdles to overcome, due to limitations of the console. Without native Xbox Live integration, you’ll need to sign into a Microsoft account. Furthermore, the lack of an integrated browser means you’ll need help from a mobile or PC. Like the Xbox version, Nintendo Switch users should ensure “Minecraft” is installed, rather than the incompatible “Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition.”

Open the Nintendo eShop.
Navigate to the Search tab.
Search for Minecraft.
Select Minecraft from the available titles.
Download Minecraft. This will be a free download for existing Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition owners. For new buyers, the game is priced at $29.99.

Open Minecraft.
Select Sign In For Free when prompted to sign into your Microsoft account.
Navigate to https://aka.ms/remoteconnect on your PC or mobile.

Enter the unique code displayed on-screen.
Sign into your Microsoft account. A confirmation screen will be displayed. Your Xbox Live profile will appear on your Nintendo Switch shortly after.
Select Let’s Play to complete the process.
Minecraft is now linked to Xbox Live and ready for cross-play with other systems.

How to create Minecraft cross-play games

The process to create cross-play sessions is the same as any other Minecraft multiplayer game – set up your world and you’re ready to go. For those with an existing Minecraft Realm from other platforms, these steps can be ignored.

Select Play from the main menu.
Choose Create New under the Worlds tab.
Select Create New World to start a fresh game.
Navigate to the Multiplayer subsection.
Check multiplayer is enabled.
Select Create once you’re ready to play
Your Minecraft world will now start and be open to other players.

How to join Minecraft cross-play games

Using Minecraft’s Friends tab is a quick way to see active games and join sessions. Navigating to this section will breakdown which online games are joinable across compatible platforms.

Select Play from the main menu.
Press RB to access to Friends tab on Xbox One. Press R to access to Friends tab on Nintendo Switch.
Select an active game to join.
On Xbox One, games will be split between joinable friends and joinable Realms. On Nintendo Switch, games are sorted by Nintendo Switch friends, Xbox Live cross-platform friends, and joinable Realms.

Over to you
If you’re yet to jump into the world of Minecraft, make sure to check out our ultimate guide for a full breakdown of mechanics. The game is available on both Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, priced at $19.99 and $29.99 respectively.

Read more here: https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-cross-play-guide