Auto-Updates
A brief guide to how the launcher handles automatic updates.
Get notified when the update is ready and install at your convenience.
How the Auto-Updater Works
The launcher automatically checks for new updates on startup and every five minutes thereafter. You can manually check for updates using the Check for Updates button on the update management tab in settings.
Windows + Linux
When the launcher find a new update, it is downloaded in the background. You will be notified when the update is ready to install. See the above image for details on this.
macOS
On macOS, the updater requires that all files be code signed. Due to logistical reasons, this is currently not possible.
To circumvent this, the launcher will immediately alert you when an update is available. On the update management tab, you will be given the option to download the update directly from GitHub. Once downloaded, close the launcher and run the .dmg file.
Types of Releases
The launcher has two types of releases, Stable Releases (Releases) and Pre-Releases.
- Releases are updates which have been fully tested and are ready for general consumption.
- Pre-Releases include new features which may have not been fully tested or integrated. They are considered to be experimental.
How Pre-Releases Work
By default, the auto-updater only downloads releases. The auto-updater only looks for pre-releases when one of the following is true.
- You are currently running a pre-release build.
- You have allow prerelease updates enabled under Launcher Settings.
All alpha and beta builds are classified as pre-releases, therefore users already using these versions automatically get the latest pre-releases as soon as they are available. All users are upgraded to the latest stable release as soon as it is available. From that point onward, if you wish to receive pre-releases, you will need to enable the allow prerelease updates settings option. This can be found on the launcher tab.
See also: Beta 1 Release Notes
If you enjoy testing bleeding-edge updates, consider enabling this option. The more testers we have, the quicker we can push out full releases.
Auto-Updater finalized in Alpha 18.