When is 'the Nether Update' 1.16.2 for Minecraft's release date?

The next major update to Minecraft has been officially dubbed 'the Nether Update', and it's the first time the Nether will receive any kind of meaningful change since its initial debut on Halloween back in 2010. Mojang has been hard at work releasing a flurry of snapshots and beta builds for players to test.

An important question remains in everyone's minds, though: when does the Nether Update officially release? Here's what we know.

When does 'the Nether Update' release for Minecraft?

Update, June 23, 2020: Exactly as announced by Mojang Studios last week, the Nether Update is now rolling out to all platforms running the Bedrock or Java Editions of the game. If you don't see the update right away, don't fret! Mojang Studios may be doing staged rollouts to ensure everything goes smoothly for all its players. The Nether Update is finally here.

Update, June 17, 2020: An official release date has been announced by Mojang Studios, and we are now days away from getting our hands on the Nether Update. Expect it for both the Bedrock and Java Editions on every platform, including Windows, Xbox, Playstation, and Switch. The date? June 23, 2020, so less than a week away! You can find our original post here for all the glorious information.

Update, May 13, 2020: It's by no means an official confirmation that we're nearing release, but a new snapshot for Minecraft: Java Edition has just been released for testers, complete with the expected bug fixes and the Nether Update's new achievements! This indicates that Mojang has locked in new features, and is now focusing on general polish. It hopefully won't be more than a month away. We'll continue to update this space as we learn more.

Update, March 16, 2020: While an official release date still hasn't been announced, the first Beta for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is finally here, meaning we're getting closer and closer to the official release date. Judging by previous releases, we could be as little as two months away from the official release. We'll continue to update this space as we learn more.

While we don't have a definite release date for the Nether Update quite yet, Mojang has divulged their general plans to the public. At Minecon 2019, Mojang committed to releasing the Nether Update to Minecraft in the first half of 2020. Since the Buzzy Bees update was released to the public on December 11, this gives Mojang right about six months to deliver on their promise.

The first snapshot was released in early February, 2020, reinforcing this assumption. Snapshots for major updates can start popping up 3 to 4 months before the update's actual release date, judging from past events, which gives us a better timeline.

Related: Everything we know about Minecraft's 'Nether Update'

Of course, Mojang needs plenty of time to polish, tweak, and fix the Nether Update before the public gets their hands on it. From this, one can speculate an early-to-mid summer release later this year. Hopefully, Mojang will release more concrete information, the closer we get to the actual date. When that happens, we'll be sure to update you as quickly as humanly possible!

1.16.2 release date

The Nether Update wasn't finished with its full release and will be receiving further changes with the 1.16.2 update. Don't expect this update to be anywhere near the size of its forbearer, featuring a few tweaks and alterations, but it's still a significant release to make the Nether Update better. The release date should only be a few weeks apart from the Nether Update, but a recent release candidate for Minecraft: Java Edition shows us the update could come as soon as Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

We'll keep you updated the moment we know more.

Are you excited about the Nether Update for Minecraft? When do you think it will come out? Sound off in the comments below!