Mojang released Minecraft Beta and Preview 26.70.21 on October 20, 2026. The test build expands the frozen game-drop experiments with Packed Ice Bricks, revised Ice Caves, balance changes and a built-in Music Features Add-On.
Packed Ice Bricks arrive
The build introduces a complete Packed Ice Brick family: the full block, slabs, stairs, walls and a chiselled variant. Mojang describes the blue-tinted set as decorative, confirms that it does not melt and lists the pickaxe as its preferred tool.
Ice Caves become more dangerous
Brittle Ice over crevasses can now break and drop players into caves below. Crevasses should generate at a more consistent density. Polar bears can no longer spawn on Brittle Ice, while cold variants of cows, pigs, chickens and frogs appear from spawn eggs inside Ice Caves.
Ice Balls and freezing changes
Ice Balls now begin with two points of base damage and lose damage as their velocity falls. Polar bears, snow golems and strays are immune to Freezing, and Potions of Freezing can be extended with Redstone Dust.
Ambient ice sounds
Large ice surfaces can emit eerie ambient sounds when the block arrangement meets Mojang's conditions. Packed, Blue and Frosted Ice also receive their own ice sound events instead of reusing glass sounds.
Music Features Add-On
A free Music Features Add-On is built into the test version. Players can press songs onto Blank Discs with the Disc Press and carry up to 20 discs in a Pocket Jukebox. Mojang says the resource pack must be added to the world and that Realms support is not available yet.
Important fixes
- Add-on imports no longer create inaccessible Windows pack folders ending in periods.
- The Freezing overlay no longer remains after respawning.
- The health bar updates correctly after a Totem of Undying activates.
- Mining Fatigue, Haste and Conduit Power are closer to Java Edition behavior.
- An Android Marketplace search issue has been corrected.
- Vibrant Visuals lighting artifacts were fixed for Medium Block Light Quality.
How to test it
Minecraft Preview is available on Xbox, PlayStation, Windows and iOS. Android players use the Google Play beta. Back up important worlds before opening them in a test build.
