How to Change Game Modes in Minecraft (All Platforms)
Minecraft's game modes aren't just settings — they fundamentally reshape what the game is. Whether you're building freely without resource limits, surviving against hostile mobs, or testing a custom map, switching modes is one of the most useful skills to know. Here's exactly how it works, across every major platform and version.
What Are the Game Modes in Minecraft?
Before changing modes, it helps to know what you're switching between:
| Game Mode | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Survival | You gather resources, manage hunger, and can die. The default experience. |
| Creative | Unlimited blocks, no hunger, no damage, and the ability to fly. |
| Adventure | Like Survival, but you can't break most blocks without the correct tool. Designed for custom maps. |
| Spectator | You're invisible and can fly through walls. No interaction — pure observation. |
| Hardcore | Survival with permadeath. When you die, the world is deleted (or locked in Spectator). |
Hardcore is set at world creation and can't be toggled mid-game through normal means. The other four can be switched using commands or, in some cases, game menus.
How to Change Game Mode Using Commands 🎮
The fastest and most universal method across Java and Bedrock editions is the chat command.
Step 1: Enable Cheats
Commands only work if cheats are enabled for your world. Here's how to check or enable them:
- Java Edition: When creating a world, go to More World Options and toggle Allow Cheats to ON. For an existing world, pause the game, go to Open to LAN, and enable cheats from there (this applies only for that session).
- Bedrock Edition: When creating a world, scroll to Cheats in the world settings and toggle them on. You can also enable them for existing worlds through Edit in the world selection screen.
Note: Enabling cheats on Java Edition disables achievements for that world permanently. On Bedrock, achievements are disabled while cheats are active.
Step 2: Open the Chat or Command Bar
- Java Edition: Press
Tor/to open the chat. - Bedrock Edition (PC/Console/Mobile): Press
T, tap the chat icon, or press the right D-pad button depending on your controller.
Step 3: Enter the Command
Type the following and press Enter:
/gamemode <mode> Replace <mode> with one of these values:
| What You Type | Mode Activated |
|---|---|
/gamemode survival or /gamemode s or /gamemode 0 | Survival |
/gamemode creative or /gamemode c or /gamemode 1 | Creative |
/gamemode adventure or /gamemode a or /gamemode 2 | Adventure |
/gamemode spectator or /gamemode sp or /gamemode 3 | Spectator |
The short letter codes (s, c, a, sp) work on Java Edition. Bedrock accepts the full word. The number codes work on older versions of the game.
To change another player's game mode (useful on multiplayer servers), use:
/gamemode creative PlayerName This requires operator (OP) permissions on the server.
Changing Game Mode from the Menu (Bedrock Edition)
On Bedrock Edition, there's a more accessible option for world hosts. When editing a world through the pause menu or the world settings:
- Open the Settings from the pause menu.
- Navigate to the Game tab.
- Under Personal Game Mode, select the mode you want.
This method doesn't require typing commands, making it useful on consoles or touch devices where text input is slower.
How Multiplayer and Servers Handle Game Modes
On a multiplayer server, individual players can't change their own game mode unless they've been granted operator status. Server admins use:
/gamemode creative PlayerName Many servers also use plugins (on Java) or add-ons (on Bedrock) to create gamemode selectors — physical signs or menus players can interact with to switch modes in designated lobby areas.
If you're playing on Realms, the Realm owner controls the world settings, including default game mode. Individual exceptions require OP access.
What Changes When You Switch Modes Mid-Game
Switching modes mid-playthrough isn't seamless. There are real consequences worth knowing:
- Switching from Survival to Creative preserves your inventory but gives you full Creative access. When you switch back, your Survival inventory returns — but any items you picked up or placed in Creative may behave differently.
- Spectator mode makes you invisible and removes your ability to interact with anything. It's often used by server admins to investigate areas without disturbing gameplay.
- Adventure mode restricts block breaking unless the block has been tagged with a specific tool requirement. Useful for map-makers, frustrating if you land there accidentally.
- Hunger and health reset to full when switching to Creative, and reappear when returning to Survival.
Variables That Affect Your Experience 🔧
How smoothly mode-switching works depends on a few factors specific to your setup:
- Edition (Java vs. Bedrock): Command syntax differs slightly, and menu options aren't identical across the two.
- World permissions: Single-player worlds where you're the owner give you full control. Multiplayer worlds depend on server configuration and your permission level.
- Version number: Very old versions of Minecraft use numerical codes for game modes. Commands like
/gamemode 1still work in most modern versions, but some shorthand letter codes were added later. - Platform: Console players may find the pause menu route easier than command entry. Mobile players have touch-based chat input, which functions but can be slower.
- Mods and plugins: If you're running a modded Java client or a plugin-heavy Bedrock server, custom game mode systems may override or supplement the default commands.
The method that works best — and what you'll be able to access — depends entirely on which version you're running, who owns the world, and what platform you're playing on.