Minecraft updates are always a big deal each year, loaded with fresh features and tweaks. As 1.21 winds down, players were geared up for the shift to 1.22, kicking off a new chapter. But the latest tweak to how they number updates has killed off 1.22 for good.
Here's the rundown on the Minecraft update switch and why 1.22 won't happen.
About New Minecraft update numbering
Minecraft 1.21 delivered tons of new mobs, items, and biomes to the blocky universe. With that chapter closing, folks were counting on 1.22 dropping in 2026.
Mojang's fresh numbering scheme buries any shot at 1.22 even deeper than ancient debris. Going forward, they'll tag versions by year. That means all 2026 updates for both Bedrock and Java kick off with 26—like 26.1.1 or 26.1.2. Right after the Mounts of Mayhem release, they jump straight to the 26 lineup, skipping 1.22 entirely. It's a lot like Apple's recent shift to calendar-year prefixes. This nixes the version bump everyone was waiting for, just like the clock hitting midnight after 11:59.
On top of main releases, snapshots are getting a naming refresh too. Future ones will bake in the target version right in the name, so players can track stuff easier. Sure, the 1.22 series is gone for good—like a wandering trader minus his llamas—but you'll still snag all the updates on deck. Next year brings massive overhauls to the game, so no wonder players are stoked.