If you‘re considering trying out Minecraft for the first time, you may have seen that there is a free trial available. This allows you to play the full version of the game for a limited time before deciding if you want to purchase it.
But what if you start the free trial and then decide Minecraft isn‘t for you? Or maybe you just don‘t want to pay for the game after the trial is over?
The good news is – yes, you can cancel your Minecraft free trial if you change your mind. Here‘s what you need to know:
How To Cancel The Minecraft Free Trial
Minecraft offers free trials across mobile, console, and Windows 10 editions. Here‘s how to cancel each version:
Cancel on Mobile
If you got the Minecraft free trial through the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, follow these steps:
- Open the Minecraft app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device
- Tap on the "Profile" icon in the bottom right corner
- Select "Manage Subscription"
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm your choice
This will immediately end your free trial and disable access to Minecraft.
Cancel on Console
For Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, you‘ll cancel through each platform‘s digital store:
- On Xbox, go to My Games and Apps > Minecraft > Manage > Cancel
- On PlayStation, go to Settings > Account Management > Subscriptions > Minecraft > Cancel
- On Nintendo, open the eShop, tap your profile icon, select Minecraft, and cancel
Be sure to cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
Cancel on Windows 10
If you got the Minecraft Windows 10 free trial through the Microsoft Store, do this:
- Open the Microsoft Store app
- Click the "…" icon next to Minecraft and choose Manage
- Toggle "Off" the auto-renew option
Once disabled, your free trial will not convert into a paid subscription.
Downsides of Canceling Your Minecraft Free Trial
While canceling the Minecraft free trial is easy, there are some downsides to consider:
- You‘ll lose access to all Minecraft features and will not be able to play until you purchase the game
- Any worlds, builds, or progression will be lost as you won‘t be able to load them
- Multiplayer access will be disabled, so you can‘t play with friends
- Your free trial balance will not carry over if you decide to buy Minecraft later
So if you think you might want to continue playing after the trial, it‘s best to purchase Minecraft and keep your data. But if you‘re certain Minecraft isn‘t for you, canceling is quick and ensures you won‘t forget and get charged.
Can You Get a Refund for The Minecraft Free Trial?
According to the official Minecraft refund policy, you are eligible for one refund per license purchased. So if you cancelled the free trial but still got charged, you should be able to get your money back by requesting a refund.
To get a refund for the Minecraft free trial, go to help.minecraft.net and submit a customer support ticket. Refunds can take up to 7 business days to process.
Note: Refunds are only valid for purchases made on Minecraft.net. Transactions through other retailers like the PlayStation Store have different policies.
Continuing Your Minecraft Free Trial
If you change your mind after canceling and want to continue the Minecraft free trial, you have a couple options:
- On mobile – uninstall and reinstall the app to restart the trial
- On console – redownload Minecraft through the digital store
- On Windows 10 – return to the Microsoft Store and click Install
This essentially resets the timer on your free trial. However, note that you can only extend the free trial once per platform.
So if you want to replay the full free trial, just be sure to avoid canceling again before deciding if you want to buy.
Purchasing Minecraft After The Free Trial
Once your Minecraft free trial runs out, you have a few options if you want to keep playing:
- Minecraft Java Edition – one-time $27 USD payment for PC/Mac
- Minecraft Bedrock Edition – $7-$30 one-time payment on mobile, console, and Windows 10
- Minecraft Realms – $7.99/month multiplayer server subscription
The Bedrock Edition has cross-platform support so you can play with friends on different devices. Java Edition is best for heavy modding. Realms gives you your own private server.
When you purchase any of these, your free trial world and progress will carry over. And you‘ll be able to play Minecraft indefinitely without the time restrictions.
How Long Does The Minecraft Free Trial Last?
The Minecraft free trial gives you full access to the game for a limited time. Here‘s how long it lasts on each platform:
- Mobile (iOS and Android): 90 minutes of gameplay
- Console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo): 2 hours
- Windows 10: 5 in-game days, around 1 hour 40 mins
Once the free trial period is over, you‘ll need to purchase Minecraft to keep playing. Make sure to pay attention to these time limits.
Is The Minecraft Free Trial Really The Full Game?
The Minecraft free trial does give you access to the complete core game experience. Everything in the paid versions can be accessed, including:
- All block types, mobs, biomes, dimensions
- Survival, Creative, and other gameplay modes
- Multiplayer servers and Realms (during trial period)
- Mods and texture packs
- Redstone, commands, and other mechanics
The only limitations are the time restrictions. Other than that, the free trial contains everything in the paid game.
So the free trial makes it easy to get a feel for the real Minecraft before deciding to buy. You can build, mine, fight mobs, play with others, and explore the virtual sandbox just as you would with a paid account.
Minecraft Trials Don‘t Auto-Convert to Paid Accounts
One myth about the Minecraft free trial is that it will automatically convert to a paid subscription or charge your credit card when the trial ends.
This is false.
The Minecraft free trial is completely free and does not require any payment details. Your account will simply revert to demo status until you manually purchase the game.
So you don‘t have to worry about canceling to avoid surprise charges after the trial. Just make sure to buy Minecraft if you want to keep playing past the time limits.
Should You Use The Minecraft Free Trial?
Trying before you buy is always smart. The Minecraft free trial lets you experience the game for a few hours before deciding if the full paid version is worth it.
Here are some things to consider about the trial offer:
Pros
- Test Minecraft easily at no cost
- Access all features and modes
- Get a feel for the gameplay and style
- Play on mobile, console, and Windows 10
- Progress carries over if you purchase
Cons
- Limited to 2 hours of gameplay
- Worlds and builds won‘t save if you don‘t buy
- Can only use trial once per platform
- Multiplayer access ends with trial
Overall, the Minecraft free trial takes out the risk of paying without trying the game first. For most players, it‘s the ideal way to see Minecraft in action before buying.
Just don‘t forget to cancel the trial if you end up not wanting the full game!
The Bottom Line
The Minecraft free trial gives you a great temporary experience but eventually requires payment to keep playing. Canceling the trial is easy and ensures you won‘t get unintentionally charged after it ends.
While canceling means losing your worlds, you can still request a refund if you run into issues. And you always have the option to reinstall Minecraft later if you change your mind.
Trying before you buy is the best approach to new games. So take advantage of the Minecraft free trial – just set a reminder if you plan on canceling!
