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
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 Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Place/Use Item | Button 2 (Mouse) |
| Mine/Destroy Item | Button 1 (Mouse) |
| Jump | SPACE |
| 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 Item | Q |
| Open Crafting Menu | Button 2 (Mouse) |
| Open Inventory | E |
| Swap Items in Hands | F |
| Walk Forward | W |
| Walk Backward | S |
| Strafe Left | A |
| Strafe Right | D |
| Look | Move Mouse |
| Run/Sprint | LCONTROL |
| Sneak | LSHIFT |
| Change Selected Item in Hotbar | Keys 1 through 9 |
| List Players | TAB |
| Chat | T |
| Run Command | T or / |
| Take Screenshot | F2 |
| Toggle Fullscreen | F11 |
| Toggle Perspective (Change Camera Angle) | F5 |
| Toggle Debug window | F3 |
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 Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Place/Use Item | Tap target location |
| Mine/Destroy Item | Tap target location and hold |
| Jump | Jump 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 Item | Tap and hold (item in hotbar) |
| Open Crafting Menu | Tap on crafting table |
| Open Inventory | Triple Dot Button |
| Walk Forward | Up Arrow |
| Walk Backward | Down Arrow |
| Strafe Left | Left Arrow |
| Strafe Right | Right Arrow |
| Run/Sprint | Up Arrow (tap twice and hold) |
| Crouch/Sneak | Center button (tap twice) |
| Stop Crouching/Sneaking | Center button (tap twice) |
| Look | Touch screen and move |
| Change Selected Item in Hotbar | Tap item |
| Chat | Chat button |
| Run Command | Chat 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 Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Place/Use Item | LT (Left Trigger) |
| Mine/Destroy Item | RT (Right Trigger) |
| Jump | A 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 Item | B Button |
| Open Crafting Menu | X Button |
| Open Inventory | Y Button |
| Move | LS (Left Stick) |
| Look | RS (Right Stick) |
| Run/Sprint | LS forward twice (quickly) |
| Sneak/Walk | RS (press down) |
| Change Camera Angle | LS (press down) |
| Change Selected Item in Hotbar | LB 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 Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Place/Use Item | L2 (Back Left Trigger) |
| Mine/Destroy Item | R2 (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 |
| Move | LS (Left Stick) |
| Look | RS (Right Stick) |
| Run/Sprint | LS forward twice (quickly) |
| Sneak/Walk | RS (press down) |
| Change Camera Angle | LS (press down) |
| Change Selected Item in Hotbar | L1 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
| Game Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Place/Use Item | Button 2 (Mouse) |
| Mine/Destroy Item | Button 1 (Mouse) |
| Jump | SPACE |
| 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 Item | Q |
| Open Crafting Menu | Button 2 (Mouse) |
| Open Inventory | E |
| Swap Items in Hands | F |
| Walk Forward | W |
| Walk Backward | S |
| Strafe Left | A |
| Strafe Right | D |
| Look | Move Mouse |
| Run/Sprint | LCONTROL |
| Sneak | LSHIFT |
| Change Selected Item in Hotbar | Keys 1 through 9 |
| List Players | TAB |
| Chat | T |
| Run Command | T or / |
| Take Screenshot | F2 |
| Toggle Fullscreen | F11 |
| Toggle Perspective (Change Camera Angle) | F5 |
| Toggle Debug window | F3 |
Minecraft Education Edition
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 Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Place/Use Item | Button 2 (Mouse) |
| Mine/Destroy Item | Button 1 (Mouse) |
| Jump | SPACE |
| 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 Item | Q |
| Open Crafting Menu | Button 2 (Mouse) |
| Open Inventory | E |
| Swap Items in Hands | F |
| Walk Forward | W |
| Walk Backward | S |
| Strafe Left | A |
| Strafe Right | D |
| Look | Move Mouse |
| Run/Sprint | LCONTROL |
| Sneak | LSHIFT |
| Change Selected Item in Hotbar | Keys 1 through 9 |
| Cycle through Fixed Inventory Slots | 0 (zero key) |
| List Players | TAB |
| Chat | T |
| Run Command | T or / |
| Take Screenshot | F2 |
| Toggle Fullscreen | F11 |
| Toggle Perspective (Change Camera Angle) | F5 |
| Toggle Debug window | F3 |
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:
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- Load an existing world or create a new one and launch it. Once your world is loaded, open the in-game pause menu.
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- Find your friends using their Minecraft ID, also known as their gamertag, and select 'Add Friend.'
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.
- 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.'