The latest Minecraft Java Edition snapshot 25w17a has arrived, bringing the much-anticipated Locator Bar feature out of experimental status. This new HUD element helps players track the location of others in multiplayer, alongside significant Realms UI improvements and various technical enhancements.
Locator Bar: A New Way to Track Players
The standout feature in snapshot 25w17a is the Locator Bar, which provides a visual indicator of other players' directions in multiplayer sessions. This helpful navigation tool replaces your experience bar when other players are nearby, only showing the XP bar when you're actively gaining experience.
Players looking to stay hidden from others can do so by crouching, wearing mob heads or a Carved Pumpkin, or using an Invisibility Potion. The system also respects Spectator Mode, making these players invisible on the Locator Bar except to other spectators.
Server administrators gain new control options through the waypoint command system, allowing customization of player indicators with different colors and styles. Team colors will automatically override default indicator colors, adding another layer of visual organization for group play.
Realms Gets a Makeover
The Realms interface receives a significant overhaul with a new tab-based configuration screen. Players can now navigate between dedicated sections for Worlds, Players, Subscription, and Settings, making Realm management more intuitive.
A notable addition is the Region Preference setting, giving Realm owners better control over server location for improved performance. Mojang has also updated terminology, changing "Close/Open Realm" to the more descriptive "Temporarily close/Reopen Realm" for clarity.
What technical changes are included?
Developers will notice several important technical updates in this snapshot:
- Data Pack version updated to 74
- Resource Pack version updated to 58
- New waypoint command system for controlling Locator Bar behavior
- Added waypoint_transmit_range and waypoint_receive_range attributes
- New block tags including happy_ghast_avoids and triggers_ambient_dried_ghast_block_sounds
Performance improvements include a new option to reduce cloud range, addressing rendering issues that affected some players. The snapshot also fixes 36 bugs, including problems with Happy Ghasts, UI rendering, and woodland mansion generation.
How to Try the Snapshot
To experience these new features, enable snapshots in the Minecraft Launcher Installations tab. As always, Mojang recommends backing up your worlds before testing snapshots to prevent potential corruption.
For detailed information or to report issues, visit the Minecraft issue tracker or share your thoughts on the feedback site.
Snapshot 25w17a was published on April 22, 2025, and continues Minecraft's tradition of regular updates that enhance both gameplay and technical aspects of this ever-evolving blocky universe.