Minecraft Earth: Everything you need to know (Update: Closing down June 2021)

Update, January 5, 2021 (03:34 PM ET): Today, the Minecraft Earth staff announced that, starting in June 2021, the game will no longer see support. This means that on July 1 of this year, the game will no longer be playable. Until then, it will operate as normal.

The staff pins the COVID-19 pandemic as being primarily to blame for the demise of ME. Thankfully, anyone who’s made a purchase in the mobile game will get a free version of the main game (Minecraft: Bedrock Edition) as a token of thanks from the developers.

You can read about the termination of the game as well as the details surrounding its final update at this official blog post.

Original article, October 18, 2019 (01:00 PM ET): Minecraft has taken the gaming world by storm, with more than 175 million copies sold worldwide since it was released 10 years ago. Now, thanks to Minecraft Earth, you can take your blocky creations into the real world. Using artificial reality, you can team up with your friend to build incredible virtual structures in your backyard.

Read also: 10 best Minecraft apps for Android!

Minecraft Earth has already been released in nearly 20 countries around the world. For some answers to Minecraft Earth’s most pertinent questions, check out our guide below. And as always, stay tuned to Android Authority for all the best tips, tricks, and guides for Minecraft Earth!

What is Minecraft Earth?

Minecraft Earth is an AR game from Microsoft. It allows you to team up with friends to build life-size structures in the real world through the lens of your smartphone. 

When is the Minecraft Earth release date?

Minecraft Earth has been slowly launching around the world over the last couple of months. Early access initially opened in New Zealand and Iceland this October. It then opened in the UK and the US earlier in November.

Most recently, the Minecraft team released the game in 15 new countries around the world in the second half of November. This list includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.

We aren’t sure which other countries the game will eventually be available in or when they will get it. Any remaining markets should see the game soon though, given how quickly the team has released it thus far.

Is Minecraft Earth free?

Yes, Minecraft Earth is free-to-play with in-app purchases. There are no loot boxes.

What do you do in Minecraft Earth?

Like vanilla Minecraft, Minecraft Earth is all about collecting blocks and items, then using them to build. Mobs have also made their way into Minecraft Earth, and can be fought, captured, and bred. 

Can other players destroy my real-world structures?

In tabletop Build mode, only players that you invite can interact with your structures. All progress will be saved, so make sure to only invite people that won’t mess up your progress.

In Play mode, which is life-size, no progress is saved. You are playing in an instance of the world map, so once you’re finished everything will go back to the way it was.

Can I level up in Minecraft Earth?

Yes. In Minecraft Earth, you gain experience and level up by tapping on things. Every five levels you will unlock new blocks and mobs to play around with.

Can I use skins purchased in Minecraft in Minecraft Earth?

Yes. Once you connect your Microsoft or Xbox Live account, you can use any skins you’ve purchased on the marketplace.

Do I need a Microsoft or Xbox Live account to play Minecraft Earth?

Yes. You will need a Microsoft or Xbox Live account to save your progress in Minecraft Earth. However, you do not need an Xbox Live Gold account, as any free account will work.

That’s it for our guide to everything you need to know about Minecraft Earth. Are you looking forward to the AR version of one of the most popular video games of all time? If you have already played it, what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know in the comments below!