# How to Install Minecraft Snapshots on a Server

> Try the next Minecraft version early by running a snapshot on your server.

Source: https://www.beaconhosting.org/knowledgebase/how-to-install-minecraft-snapshots-on-a-minecraft-server
Category: Minecraft
Last updated: 2026-11-05

Snapshots are Mojang's test builds of the next Minecraft version. They can have bugs and can break worlds.

> [!WARNING]
> Never run a snapshot on your main world. Back it up, or better, test the snapshot on a fresh world. A world opened in a snapshot can't safely go back to a release.

## Install a snapshot

1. Go to **Backups** and create a backup.
2. Go to **Package Manager**, click **Browse packages**, and open **Vanilla**.
3. In the version list, change the channel from releases to **snapshots** (the **Any channel** filter), and pick the snapshot you want.
4. Click **Install** and confirm. It replaces what's installed and may swap the Java runtime.
5. Package changes are queued and applied the next time the server starts, so restart it from **Console** when you're done.

Players join with the same snapshot selected in their launcher (**Installations** → **Snapshots** in the Minecraft Launcher).

## Going back to a release

Install the release version from **Package Manager** the same way, then restore your pre-snapshot backup from **Backups**.

> [!NOTE]
> Plugins and mods usually don't support snapshots. Snapshots run on Vanilla only.