As a fellow gaming enthusiast, you‘re probably curious – is it possible to play Minecraft on the Xbox Series S without paying anything?
The short answer is yes, there are a few ways to access Minecraft for free on an Xbox console. But depending on your specific needs, you may require a paid subscription for certain features.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about playing Minecraft for free based on my experience as a long-time Minecraft fan and Xbox gamer. You‘ll learn:
- Which versions of Minecraft are available
- How to install it on your Xbox
- Clever tricks for getting Minecraft free
- What Xbox Live actually offers
- How well it performs on Series S
- Troubleshooting tips to fix issues
- Steps for playing online multiplayer
By the end of this guide, you‘ll have all the information needed to access Minecraft and start building your digital world on Xbox Series S without spending a dime. Let‘s get started!
An Overview of the Different Minecraft Editions
Before we dive into Xbox specifics, it helps to understand the major versions of Minecraft available:
Minecraft Java Edition
This is the original PC version, first released in 2009. It can only be played on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Key Features:
- Access to thousands of free mods and customization
- Supports multiplayer servers hosted by the community
- Regular updates from Mojang with new features
- Owned forever after purchase, tied to Mojang account
The Java Edition has simpler visuals but gives PC gamers unlimited ways to customize their experience.
Minecraft Bedrock Edition
Starting in 2011, Mojang released Minecraft across consoles, mobile, and Windows 10 in the "Better Together" update. This shared codebase is called the Bedrock engine.
What Makes Bedrock Unique:
- Designed for cross-platform multiplayer
- Optimized for touch controls on mobile
- In-game shop to purchase skins, textures, worlds
- Official partner servers approved by Mojang
- Regular updates across all platforms
The Bedrock version offers simplified access and consistent gameplay. It‘s ideal for playing with friends on different devices.
Minecraft Education Edition
As the name implies, this is a special version of Minecraft for classrooms and education. It includes unique features like code blocks, chemistry lab tables, and a Classroom Mode.
Education Edition requires a school-managed Office 365 account. It runs either through a browser or by installing the Bedrock version on a PC.
Minecraft Classic
This free browser version recreates Minecraft as it existed in 2009 during the Alpha development stage. It lacks many features but allows online sandbox play.
Now that you know the major Minecraft editions, let‘s focus on the Xbox experience…
Getting Minecraft on Your Xbox Console
Since Xbox consoles run on Microsoft‘s architecture, they use the Minecraft for Bedrock version directly from the Microsoft Store.
You have a couple options to purchase:
- Minecraft Standard Edition – $19.99 base game
- Minecraft Starter Collection – $29.99 includes base game, 1000 Minecoins, Greek Mythology skin pack
The Starter Collection is better value if you think you‘ll spend money customizing your character or world later.
Once purchased, Minecraft can be installed on any Xbox One or Xbox Series XS console using your Microsoft account. You own the license forever.
According to a Microsoft earnings report, over 35 million people have purchased Minecraft on Xbox. It‘s the second best-selling Xbox game behind Minecraft!
Next, let‘s go over a few creative ways to access Minecraft for free before buying it outright.
Tricks for Getting Minecraft Free on Xbox
While Minecraft costs $19.99 upfront on the Xbox Store, here are some clever workarounds:
1. Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass
The most straightforward free option is the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
For $9.99 per month, Game Pass provides unlimited access to over 100 games. New Xbox exclusives like Starfield are included on release day.
Minecraft is one of the available Game Pass titles. As long as your subscription is active, you can install and play Minecraft at no additional cost.
It‘s an incredible deal if you want to explore other Xbox games too. Much cheaper than buying Minecraft individually.
However, this method comes with limitations:
- Requires ongoing $9.99 monthly payment
- Lose access if subscription lapses
- Minecraft not permanently owned
But for casual or budget-focused players, Xbox Game Pass is the best free approach.
2. Redeem a Free Trial
If you‘ve never purchased Minecraft before, you‘re eligible for a free trial. This grants access to the full Bedrock version for a limited time.
On Xbox consoles, the trial allows:
- 100+ minutes of gameplay
- All game modes and features unlocked
- Cross-platform multiplayer
- DLC marketplace access
- Progress carries over if you buy
To start the trial:
- Open the Microsoft Store app on your Xbox
- Search for Minecraft or go to store.xbox.com/Minecraft
- Click "Try for free" and install
The only catch is the clock. Make sure to complete the trial within the allocated time. Otherwise, you‘ll need to purchase.
3. Upgrade From Xbox One Edition
Do you still have a copy of the legacy Minecraft Xbox One Edition? This was the older version designed for Xbox One before Bedrock.
If so, you‘re entitled to a free upgrade to the current Minecraft. Just head to the Store app and download Minecraft to automatically prompt the free upgrade.
Your existing worlds and save data will transfer over to the new version. So you get Bedrock for free!
4. Watch for Free Codes or Promotions
On rare occasions, Microsoft gives out free Minecraft codes during promotions or events.
It‘s worth following gaming deal sites like Wario64 on Twitter to keep an eye out for opportunities. Or you may get lucky through a contest.
But this is unreliable. Promotional deals for a free copy are infrequent and limited.
What Do You Get with Xbox Live Gold?
Now you know how to install and play Minecraft for free on an Xbox through clever workarounds.
However, there‘s one more paid element that enriches the experience – Xbox Live Gold. This unlocks online multiplayer, social features, and more.
Here‘s an overview of what‘s included with an Xbox Live Gold subscription:
Multiplayer Gaming
- Play Minecraft with others online
- Join massive multiplayer servers
- Cross-platform with PC, mobile players
- Make friends and form communities
World Sync and Transfers
- Upload saves seamlessly across devices
- Download Realms worlds from friends
- Bring your progress anywhere
Achievements and Leaderboards
- Earn trophies and Gamerscore
- See achievement rarity and compare
Party Chat
- Voice chat with friends across games
- Built-in group video calls
Exclusive Discounts
- Weekly deals up to 75% off
- early access to sales
Free Games
- Monthly Games with Gold
- Over $1000 in games annually
Without Gold, your gameplay is limited to singleplayer offline. An Xbox Live subscription unlocks the vibrant Minecraft online universe.
Here are the current membership options and pricing:
| Xbox Live Gold | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Month Membership | $9.99 |
| 3 Month Membership | $24.99 |
| 12 Month Membership | $59.99 |
Discounts are available for prepaid 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions. Or you can try one month to see if you enjoy the benefits.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundles Xbox Live Gold, Game Pass, EA Play, and cloud gaming for $14.99 monthly. This is the best value if you want everything.
But for accessing online multiplayer in just Minecraft, the basic Xbox Live Gold option is sufficient.
How Well Does Minecraft Perform on Xbox Series S?
You might be wondering – how does Minecraft actually run on the budget next-gen console Xbox Series S?
The Xbox Series S retails for $299, around 3x cheaper than the flagship Xbox Series X. So does its lower power impact Minecraft performance?
Thankfully, Minecraft runs incredibly well on the Series S thanks to the intelligent hardware design.
Here are the tech specs for the Xbox Series S:
- CPU: 8X Zen 2 Cores at 3.6GHz
- GPU: 20 Compute Units at 1.55GHz
- RAM: 10GB GDDR6
- Target Resolution: 1440p upscaled to 4K
Don‘t let the lack of a disc drive fool you – the Series S packs a surprising punch!
Based on Digital Foundry analysis, here is Minecraft‘s performance profile on Xbox Series S:
- Resolution: 1080p native, upscales to 1440p
- Frame Rate: 60 FPS steady
- Loading Times: Around 5 seconds from splash screen to main menu
- Render Distance: 48 chunks default (adjustable up to 64)
The blocky nature of Minecraft‘s graphics means the Series S has no problem running it at buttery smooth 60 FPS. Plus, world loading and transitions are super quick thanks to the SSD.
Ray tracing features available on Xbox Series X are not supported. And you‘ll only get 1080p resolution.
But for the price, the Series S offers an incredible Minecraft experience in a small affordable package. Performance exceeds the capabilities of an Xbox One by leaps and bounds.
Based on extensive hands-on testing, Minecraft runs flawlessly on the Series S. It‘s the perfect budget console for Minecraft thanks to robust framerates and rapid load times.
Troubleshooting Common Minecraft Problems on Xbox
Of course, technology isn‘t always perfect. You may occasionally run into issues launching Minecraft or stability problems during gameplay on Xbox consoles.
Here are some troubleshooting suggestions based on my experience managing game glitches:
Problem: Minecraft crashes to the Xbox home screen
Fix: Restart your console fully to clear any software errors. Hold the power button on the front for 10 seconds till it shuts down. Then boot it back up.
Problem: Minecraft gets stuck on a loading screen
Fix: Check the Xbox Status page to make sure servers are online. If so, reinstall Minecraft – corrupted data can cause infinite loads.
Problem: Out of memory error message
Fix: Open storage settings and delete unused games or apps to free up space. Minecraft worlds take up storage which may be full.
Problem: Can‘t connect to multiplayer games
Fix: Confirm you have an active Xbox Live Gold subscription. If already subscribed, restart your router – network issues can disrupt online play.
Problem: Game stutters, textures missing, world failing to load
Fix: Install all available Minecraft updates and reboot the console. Updates often contain optimization and bug fixes improving performance.
For any other major issues, you can submit a support ticket to Mojang. Their technical team may be able to identify a solution.
With these troubleshooting tips, you can get Minecraft back up and running smoothly on your Xbox again.
Joining Online Servers for Multiplayer Games
Playing on multiplayer servers is one of the most fun ways to enjoy Minecraft with a thriving community. Here are the steps to join online servers on an Xbox console:
Step 1 – Check Xbox Live Subscription
As mentioned earlier, you need an active Xbox Live Gold subscription for online multiplayer access. This starts at $9.99 per month.
Without it, you won‘t be able to see or connect to any servers.
Step 2 – Find a Server
Search sites like MinecraftServerList to discover established servers, ranked by popularity and version. Find one that aligns with how you want to play – mini-games, survival, roleplaying, etc.
Step 3 – Copy Server IP Address
After selecting a server, look for its unique IP address on the site or server‘s homepage. This may be formatted like: 25565.server.com or 123.123.123.123
Step 4 – Open Server List on Xbox
From the Minecraft Play menu, select Servers, then choose Add Server. This opens the server connection screen.
Step 5 – Enter IP, Name & Save
In the Add Server page, paste the server IP address in the field. Optionally give it a name to easily identify. Click Add Server.
Step 6 – Join the Fun!
The new server will now appear on your worlds list. Click Join Server to connect and play online with new friends.
Have an epic time on multiplayer! The Minecraft community is very welcoming and you‘ll meet players from all around the world.
Let the Free Minecraft Fun Begin!
After reading this guide, you‘re now fully prepared with the knowledge to play Minecraft for free on your Xbox Series S:
- Use Xbox Game Pass or the limited trial for temporary access
- Upgrade from the Xbox One Edition if you still have it
- Watch for occasional promotional deals for free codes
- Consider Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer features
- Enjoy smooth performance on the budget Series S
- Fix any issues with troubleshooting tips provided
- Join massive servers to play online multiplayer
While not free permanently, you can start exploring Minecraft right away with spending zero dollars through the tips outlined here.
Now go and have an absolute blast playing one of the greatest games ever made, accessible for free on your Xbox!
