The next Minecraft drop (Java 26.4) adds Ice Caves, the Frostbite zombie, icicles, ice crystals and the Freezing effect. It is in Java snapshots and Bedrock Previews now. Mojang has not announced a release date.
- Ice Caves generate under cold Overworld biomes.
- Frostbite is a zombie that throws Ice Balls and freezes you.
- Java 26.4 Snapshot 6 arrived October 27, 2026.
- No official release date or drop name yet.
- Try it now in Java snapshots or Bedrock Preview.
01When is the next Minecraft update coming out?
Mojang has not announced a release date for the Ice Caves drop. On Java it is version 26.4, and it is still in snapshots.
Reports describe it as the final game drop of 2026. Here is how this year has gone so far:
| Drop | Java version | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny Takeover | 26.1 | March 24, 2026 |
| Chaos Cubed | 26.2 | June 16, 2026 |
| Wilderness Bound | 26.3 | September 15, 2026 |
| Ice Caves drop (unnamed) | 26.4 | Not announced |
Mojang usually names a drop and gives its date shortly before launch. Until that happens, any exact date you see online is a guess.
- September 22, 2026: the 26.4 snapshot cycle starts on Java.
- September 30: Bedrock Preview 26.60.29 adds Ice Caves and the Frostbite.
- October 6: Java Snapshot 3 adds Ice Caves, Frostbite, icicles and ice crystals.
- October 13: Snapshot 4 adds Brittle Ice and jukebox playlists.
- October 20: Snapshot 5 adds Packed Ice Bricks.
- October 27: Snapshot 6 adds Snow Bricks and the Cold Sulfur Cube.
Snapshots have been landing about once a week. Mojang usually moves to pre-releases and release candidates shortly before a drop ships, so watch for those as the next sign of a date.
02What is in the Ice Caves update?
The headline is a new cave biome. Ice Caves generate under colder Overworld biomes.
- Walls made mostly of Packed Ice and Calcite.
- Icicles hanging from the ceiling, plus large Packed Ice spikes on the floor and ceiling.
- Patches of snow on the ground.
- Ores inside pockets of Stone or Deepslate.
- No Glow Lichen.
- Strays and Frostbites spawn here, along with normal cave mobs.
Want to find the good ores faster when it lands? Our legit X-Ray page explains how ore-finding works on CHEAT SMP.
03What does the Frostbite mob do?
The Frostbite is a new zombie variant. It switches attacks based on distance:
- Close up: melee hits that give you the new Freezing effect.
- At range: throws Ice Balls that deal 4 damage (scaled by speed) with knockback.
- Immune to freezing and can stand on Powder Snow.
- Turns into a normal Zombie if it stays underwater long enough.
- Drops Rotten Flesh and Ice Balls.
Zombies and Husks that get stuck in Powder Snow now turn into Frostbites.
Freezing makes you shake, freezes you over time and then deals damage. Leather armor stops the freeze damage but not the effect. Mobs weak to freezing take five times the damage.
You can brew Potions of Freezing (plus Splash and Lingering) with Ice Balls. In the Java snapshot, eight Arrows around a Lingering Potion of Freezing make Arrows of Freezing.
04What new blocks are coming?
| Block | What it does | Added |
|---|---|---|
| Icicles | Grow down up to 5 blocks in the dark. Hurt you when they fall. Melt near light or in the Nether. | Snapshot 3 |
| Ice Crystals | Light-giving crystals, like Amethyst Clusters. Break if their support block goes. | Snapshot 3 |
| Brittle Ice | New ice block | Snapshot 4 |
| Packed Ice Bricks | 2x2 Packed Ice, with slabs, stairs, walls and a chiseled version | Snapshot 5 |
| Snow Bricks | Made from Snow Blocks, with slabs, stairs and walls | Snapshot 6 |
Snapshots also added jukebox playlists, a Frostbite advancement called "What Goes Around Comes Around" and a Cold Sulfur Cube you make by feeding a Sulfur Cube Blue Ice.
Everything here can still change before release.
05How do you survive an Ice Cave?
These tips are based on how the snapshot mechanics work today:
- Wear leather armor. It blocks freeze damage, even though Freezing still gets applied.
- Close the gap on Frostbites. They throw Ice Balls when you are far away. Or stay back with a bow and keep moving.
- Light up the ceiling. Icicles break near light sources, so torches clear the danger above you.
- Do not stand under icicles. Falling ones hurt, and landing on one deals extra damage.
- Watch your footing on Powder Snow. Frostbites walk on it. You sink.
Ice Caves also make a good early mining spot. Ores sit in Stone and Deepslate pockets inside the ice, so they stand out against the pale walls.
06How do you try Ice Caves right now?
Java Edition:
- Open the Minecraft Launcher and go to Installations.
- Turn on Snapshots.
- Pick "Latest snapshot" and press Play.
- Make a new world. Ice Caves only appear in fresh chunks.
Bedrock Edition: install the separate Minecraft Preview app on a supported device and check the preview notes for any Experiments toggle.
Always back up your worlds first. Snapshots can corrupt saves, and most servers, CHEAT SMP included, stay on the latest full release.
07Play the current version on a live server
While you wait for Ice Caves, CHEAT SMP runs Java 26.3, the latest full release. Join at play.cheatsmp.dev and earn powers like Ore Ping and Short Flight just by playing survival. See how it works on the 26.3 server page or go straight to join.
FAQFrequently asked questions
When does the Minecraft Ice Caves update come out?
There is no official release date yet. It is in Java 26.4 snapshots and Bedrock Previews as of late October 2026.
What is the Frostbite in Minecraft?
A new zombie variant that throws Ice Balls at range and gives you Freezing up close. It spawns in cold biomes and Ice Caves.
Is Minecraft 26.4 out?
No. Java 26.4 is still in snapshots. The latest full release is 26.3 Wilderness Bound from September 15, 2026.
How do I get the Ice Caves snapshot?
In the Minecraft Launcher, enable Snapshots under Installations, play the latest snapshot and create a new world.
Like this? Play it with powers.
CHEAT SMP runs the current Java 26.3 release, so you can play survival with earned powers now while the Ice Caves drop is still in snapshots.
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Published Oct 30, 2026. Written for Minecraft Java 26.3; we update posts when the game changes. Not affiliated with Mojang or Microsoft.
