How To Play Minecraft Windows 10 On Mac

This Minecraft tutorial explains all about the game controls that you use when you play Minecraft on different platforms.

Minecraft is available to play on almost every platform. The most common versions are:

How To Play Minecraft For Windows 10 On Mac

  • Java Edition (PC/Mac)
  • Pocket Edition (PE)
  • Xbox (Xbox 360 or Xbox One)
  • PS (PS3 or PS4)
  • Windows 10 Edition
  • Education Edition
How

Download: Catalina: (out. The original version of Minecraft! Java Edition has cross-platform play between Windows, Linux and macOS, and also supports user-created skins and mods. Includes a decade’s worth of updates, with much more to come! Beginning December 1, 2020, you will need a Microsoft account to buy and play Minecraft Java Edition.

Each of these versions of Minecraft has completely different game controls.

Game Controls

  • Java
  • PE
  • Xbox
  • PS
  • Win10
  • Edu

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)

Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) is a version of the game that runs on a PC or Mac computer. Therefore, you would use your keyboard and mouse to navigate through the game.

Here are the game controls to play Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac):

Game Controls

Game ActionControl
Place/Use ItemButton 2 (Mouse)
Mine/Destroy ItemButton 1 (Mouse)
JumpSPACE
Fly (Creative)SPACE (press twice quickly)
Stop Flying (Creative)SPACE (press twice quickly)
Fly Higher (Creative)SPACE (hold down)
Fly Lower (Creative)LSHIFT (hold down)
Drop/Throw ItemQ
Open Crafting MenuButton 2 (Mouse)
Open InventoryE
Swap Items in HandsF
Walk ForwardW
Walk BackwardS
Strafe LeftA
Strafe RightD
LookMove Mouse
Run/SprintLCONTROL
SneakLSHIFT
Change Selected Item in HotbarKeys 1 through 9
List PlayersTAB
ChatT
Run CommandT or /
Take ScreenshotF2
Toggle FullscreenF11
Toggle Perspective (Change Camera Angle)F5
Toggle Debug windowF3

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)

Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) is a version of the game that runs on your tablet or mobile device.

Here are the game controls to play Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE):

Game Controls

Game ActionControl
Place/Use ItemTap target location
Mine/Destroy ItemTap target location and hold
JumpJump button (tap once)
Fly (Creative)Jump button (tap twice)
Stop Flying (Creative)Stop button (tap twice)
Fly Higher (Creative)Higher button
Fly Lower (Creative)Lower button
Drop/Throw ItemTap and hold (item in hotbar)
Open Crafting MenuTap on crafting table
Open InventoryTriple Dot Button
Walk ForwardUp Arrow
Walk BackwardDown Arrow
Strafe LeftLeft Arrow
Strafe RightRight Arrow
Run/SprintUp Arrow (tap twice and hold)
Crouch/SneakCenter button (tap twice)
Stop Crouching/SneakingCenter button (tap twice)
LookTouch screen and move
Change Selected Item in HotbarTap item
ChatChat button
Run CommandChat button

Minecraft Xbox 360 or Xbox One

There are two versions of Minecraft that run on the Xbox - Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition and Minecraft Xbox One Edition. For both versions, you would use an Xbox controller to navigate through the game.

Here are the game controls to play Minecraft on Xbox 360 or Xbox One:

Game Controls

Game ActionControl
Place/Use ItemLT (Left Trigger)
Mine/Destroy ItemRT (Right Trigger)
JumpA Button (press once)
Fly (Creative)A Button (press twice quickly)
Fly Higher (Creative)D-Pad (press up) or A button
Fly Lower (Creative)D-Pad (press down)
Stop Flying (Creative)A Button (press twice quickly)
Drop/Throw ItemB Button
Open Crafting MenuX Button
Open InventoryY Button
MoveLS (Left Stick)
LookRS (Right Stick)
Run/SprintLS forward twice (quickly)
Sneak/WalkRS (press down)
Change Camera AngleLS (press down)
Change Selected Item in HotbarLB or RB
Run Command (Xbox One only) D-Pad (right)

Minecraft PS3 or PS4

There are two versions of Minecraft that run on the Sony Playstation - Minecraft PS3 Edition and Minecraft PS4 Edition. For both versions, you would use the Playstation controller to navigate through the game.

Here are the game controls to play Minecraft on the PS3 or PS4:

Game Controls

Game ActionControl
Place/Use ItemL2 (Back Left Trigger)
Mine/Destroy ItemR2 (Back Right Trigger)
Jump X button (press once)
Fly (Creative) X Button (press twice quickly)
Fly Higher (Creative)D-Pad (press up) or X button
Fly Lower (Creative)D-Pad (press down)
Stop Flying (Creative) X Button (press twice quickly)
Drop/Throw Item Circle button
Open Crafting Menu Square Button
Open Inventory Triangle button
MoveLS (Left Stick)
LookRS (Right Stick)
Run/SprintLS forward twice (quickly)
Sneak/WalkRS (press down)
Change Camera AngleLS (press down)
Change Selected Item in HotbarL1 or R1
Run Command (PS4 only) D-Pad (right)

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition

Minecraft Windows 10 Edition is a version of the game that runs only on a Windows 10 computer. Therefore, you would use your keyboard and mouse to navigate through the game.

Here are the game controls to play Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:

Game Controls

How To Play Minecraft Windows 10 On Mac
Game ActionControl
Place/Use ItemButton 2 (Mouse)
Mine/Destroy ItemButton 1 (Mouse)
JumpSPACE
Fly (Creative)SPACE (press twice quickly)
Stop Flying (Creative)SPACE (press twice quickly)
Fly Higher (Creative)SPACE (hold down)
Fly Lower (Creative)LSHIFT (hold down)
Drop/Throw ItemQ
Open Crafting MenuButton 2 (Mouse)
Open InventoryE
Swap Items in HandsF
Walk ForwardW
Walk BackwardS
Strafe LeftA
Strafe RightD
LookMove Mouse
Run/SprintLCONTROL
SneakLSHIFT
Change Selected Item in HotbarKeys 1 through 9
List PlayersTAB
ChatT
Run CommandT or /
Take ScreenshotF2
Toggle FullscreenF11
Toggle Perspective (Change Camera Angle)F5
Toggle Debug windowF3

Minecraft Education Edition

Play

Minecraft Education Edition is a version of the game that runs on a PC or Mac computer. Therefore, you would use your keyboard and mouse to navigate through the game.

Here are the game controls to play Minecraft Education Edition:

Game Controls

Game ActionControl
Place/Use ItemButton 2 (Mouse)
Mine/Destroy ItemButton 1 (Mouse)
JumpSPACE
Fly (Creative)SPACE (press twice quickly)
Stop Flying (Creative)SPACE (press twice quickly)
Fly Higher (Creative)SPACE (hold down)
Fly Lower (Creative)LSHIFT (hold down)
Drop/Throw ItemQ
Open Crafting MenuButton 2 (Mouse)
Open InventoryE
Swap Items in HandsF
Walk ForwardW
Walk BackwardS
Strafe LeftA
Strafe RightD
LookMove Mouse
Run/SprintLCONTROL
SneakLSHIFT
Change Selected Item in HotbarKeys 1 through 9
Cycle through Fixed Inventory Slots0 (zero key)
List PlayersTAB
ChatT
Run CommandT or /
Take ScreenshotF2
Toggle FullscreenF11
Toggle Perspective (Change Camera Angle)F5
Toggle Debug windowF3

And that covers our tutorial on game controls for Minecraft. Try one of our other beginner tutorials below:

Other Beginner Tutorials

© picture alliance / Contributor/Getty Images 'Minecraft' is almost fully cross-platform. picture alliance / Contributor/Getty Images
  • 'Minecraft' offers cross-platform gameplay for both editions of the game, but in different ways.
  • If you're playing 'Minecraft: Bedrock Edition,' you can play with Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and smartphone players.
  • If you're playing 'Minecraft: Java Edition,' you can play with Windows, Mac, and Linux players.
  • Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Over the past few years, 'Minecraft' has developed a great multiplayer mode. Best of all, this multiplayer mode has cross-platform (or crossplay) functionality, meaning that it doesn't matter what system you play 'Minecraft' on - you can play with friends on any system.

Just note that there are two different versions of 'Minecraft,' and each one of them does crossplay a bit differently. The biggest thing to remember is that you can play 'Minecraft' with anyone who owns the same version as you.

If you want to play with your friends, here's what you need to know about how 'Minecraft' supports cross-platform gaming.

'Minecraft: Bedrock Edition' allows cross-platform play across consoles, phones, and PCs

'Minecraft: Bedrock Edition' is playable on Windows 10 PCs, Xbox One and Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, iOS and iPadOS devices, and Android devices.

If you're playing 'Minecraft: Bedrock Edition,' you can add friends and play with them on any other system. They just have to be playing 'Bedrock Edition' too.

Quick tip: Be aware that you may not see the word 'Bedrock' when you buy a copy of 'Minecraft' for your console - the subtitle is generally omitted in the marketing. On PCs, for example, it's often called just 'Minecraft for Windows 10.'

If you're playing that version, or any version of 'Minecraft' on a console or phone, you're playing 'Bedrock.'

How to do crossplay in 'Minecraft: Bedrock Edition'

To play cross-platform you simply need to add and invite your friends to your world. Here's how:

  1. After launching 'Minecraft,' sign into your Microsoft account (Xbox One users will have an account automatically). You'll see a button for this in the main menu if you're not signed in already. Console players will also need an online subscription for their device, such as Xbox Live or Nintendo Switch Online.

    © Emma Witman/Insider You'll be able to log into your Microsoft account from the main menu. Emma Witman/Insider
  2. Load an existing world or create a new one and launch it. Once your world is loaded, open the in-game pause menu.
  3. Click 'Invite to Game,' on the far-right, then select the option to 'Find Cross-Platform Friends' on the next screen.

    © Emma Witman/Insider Select 'Invite to Game.' Emma Witman/Insider
  4. Find your friends using their Minecraft ID, also known as their gamertag, and select 'Add Friend.'
  5. Friends added and available for multiplayer will appear under 'Online Friends.' Check the box by their gamertag and click 'Send 1 Invite.' When they accept, they'll be loaded into your world.

    © Emma Witman/Insider Make sure to click the checkbox before sending the invite. Emma Witman/Insider

Note that some worlds in 'Bedrock' can't be played with users on other platforms. This is because each console has exclusive content that's only available on that specific console.

For instance, on the Nintendo Switch, you can't share the 'Mario Mash-Up' world template with friends on other platforms. You can only share it with other Switch users.

© Emma Witman/Insider Not every Minecraft world can be shared across systems. Emma Witman/Insider

'Minecraft: Java Edition' allows cross-platform play across PC, Mac, and Linux

'Minecraft: Java Edition' is the original version of 'Minecraft,' and while it's not playable on consoles, it's the only version available for Mac and Linux users.

'Java' users can play with other 'Java' players, regardless of whether they're running the game on a Windows, Linux, or Apple operating system.

Playing multiplayer with 'Java' is a little more complicated than 'Bedrock,' but not difficult once you're familiarized. These are a few of your options:

  • You can use a public Minecraft server or create your own, and invite friends using an IP address
  • You can pay for Minecraft Realms, where Mojang hosts multiplayer servers for you but it costs money.
© Mojang Minecraft Realms is a service where Mojang will build a world and server for you. Mojang
  • Or you can play together by sharing a local area network, or LAN, meaning you'll have to be in the same place as the other players.

For more detail on how to play with others in 'Minecraft: Java Edition,' check out our article 'How to play multiplayer in 'Minecraft: Java Edition,' using either a public server or one you create yourself.'

How To Play Minecraft Windows 10 On Macbook

How to add friends in 'Minecraft' so you can build and explore your digital world togetherHow to install 'Minecraft' mods and resource packs to completely reinvent your gameHow to change your character's skin in 'Minecraft' to give them a different appearance'Minecraft Java' vs. 'Bedrock:' A full breakdown of Minecraft's two major versions and which one you should buy