How to Use the GameMode Command in Minecraft
This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use the /gamemode command with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
You can use the /gamemode command to change between game modes at any time (Creative, Survival, Adventure or Spectator) for a Minecraft world. Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).
Supported Platforms
The /gamemode command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
| Platform | Supported (Version*) |
|---|
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) | Yes (1.3.1) |
 Pocket Edition (PE) | Yes (0.16.0) |
 Xbox 360 | No |
 Xbox One | Yes (1.2) |
 PS3 | No |
 PS4 | Yes (1.14.0) |
 Wii U | No |
 Nintendo Switch | Yes (1.5.0) |
 Windows 10 Edition | Yes (0.16.0) |
 Education Edition | Yes |
* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.
Requirements
To run game commands in Minecraft, you have to turn cheats on in your world.
GameMode Command
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
GameMode Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac), the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <mode> [target]
GameMode Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <gameMode> [player]
/gamemode <gameModeID> [player]
Definitions
-
gameMode is the name of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameMode |
Description |
| survival (or abbreviated as s) |
Survival mode
|
| creative (or abbreviated as c) |
Creative mode |
| adventure (or abbreviated as a) |
Adventure mode |
| spectator |
Spectator mode |
-
gameModeID is the ID of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameModeID |
Description |
| 0 |
Survival mode
|
| 1 |
Creative mode |
| 2 |
Adventure mode |
- player is optional. It is the name of the player (or a target selector) that you wish to change the game mode for. If you don't specify a player, the game mode will be changed for the player running the command.
GameMode Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition, the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <gameMode> [player]
/gamemode <gameModeID> [player]
Definitions
-
gameMode is the name of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameMode |
Description |
| survival (or abbreviated as s) |
Survival mode
|
| creative (or abbreviated as c) |
Creative mode |
| adventure (or abbreviated as a) |
Adventure mode |
| spectator |
Spectator mode |
-
gameModeID is the ID of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameModeID |
Description |
| 0 |
Survival mode
|
| 1 |
Creative mode |
| 2 |
Adventure mode |
- player is optional. It is the name of the player (or a target selector) that you wish to change the game mode for. If you don't specify a player, the game mode will be changed for the player running the command.
GameMode Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition, the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <gameMode> [player]
/gamemode <gameModeID> [player]
Definitions
-
gameMode is the name of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameMode |
Description |
| survival (or abbreviated as s) |
Survival mode
|
| creative (or abbreviated as c) |
Creative mode |
| adventure (or abbreviated as a) |
Adventure mode |
| spectator |
Spectator mode |
-
gameModeID is the ID of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameModeID |
Description |
| 0 |
Survival mode
|
| 1 |
Creative mode |
| 2 |
Adventure mode |
- player is optional. It is the name of the player (or a target selector) that you wish to change the game mode for. If you don't specify a player, the game mode will be changed for the player running the command.
GameMode Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <gameMode> [player]
/gamemode <gameModeID> [player]
Definitions
-
gameMode is the name of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameMode |
Description |
| survival (or abbreviated as s) |
Survival mode
|
| creative (or abbreviated as c) |
Creative mode |
| adventure (or abbreviated as a) |
Adventure mode |
| spectator |
Spectator mode |
-
gameModeID is the ID of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameModeID |
Description |
| 0 |
Survival mode
|
| 1 |
Creative mode |
| 2 |
Adventure mode |
- player is optional. It is the name of the player (or a target selector) that you wish to change the game mode for. If you don't specify a player, the game mode will be changed for the player running the command.
GameMode Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <gameMode> [player]
/gamemode <gameModeID> [player]
Definitions
-
gameMode is the name of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameMode |
Description |
| survival (or abbreviated as s) |
Survival mode
|
| creative (or abbreviated as c) |
Creative mode |
| adventure (or abbreviated as a) |
Adventure mode |
| spectator |
Spectator mode |
-
gameModeID is the ID of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameModeID |
Description |
| 0 |
Survival mode
|
| 1 |
Creative mode |
| 2 |
Adventure mode |
- player is optional. It is the name of the player (or a target selector) that you wish to change the game mode for. If you don't specify a player, the game mode will be changed for the player running the command.
GameMode Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition, the syntax to change the game mode for a player is:
/gamemode <gameMode> [player]
/gamemode <gameModeID> [player]
Definitions
-
gameMode is the name of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameMode |
Description |
| survival (or abbreviated as s) |
Survival mode
|
| creative (or abbreviated as c) |
Creative mode |
| adventure (or abbreviated as a) |
Adventure mode |
-
gameModeID is the ID of the game mode to change the Minecraft world to. It can be one of the following:
| gameModeID |
Description |
| 0 |
Survival mode
|
| 1 |
Creative mode |
| 2 |
Adventure mode |
- player is optional. It is the name of the player (or a target selector) that you wish to change the game mode for. If you don't specify a player, the game mode will be changed for the player running the command.
Examples
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20
To set the game mode to Creative for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20:
/gamemode creative DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Survival for a random player:
/gamemode survival @r
To set the game mode to Survival for the player running the command:
/gamemode survival
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.11 and 1.12
To set the game mode to Adventure for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft 1.11 and 1.12:
/gamemode a DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Creative for all players:
/gamemode c @a
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To set the game mode to Survival for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft PE:
/gamemode survival DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Survival for all players:
/gamemode s @a
To set the game mode to Creative for the player running the command:
/gamemode c
Example in Xbox One Edition
To set the game mode to Creative for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft Xbox One Edition:
/gamemode creative DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Creative for all players:
/gamemode c @a
To set the game mode to Survival for the player running the command:
/gamemode s
Example in PS4 Edition
To set the game mode to Survival for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft PS4 Edition:
/gamemode survival DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Survival for all players:
/gamemode s @a
To set the game mode to Creative for the player running the command:
/gamemode c
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To set the game mode to Survival for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition:
/gamemode survival DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Survival for a random player:
/gamemode s @r
To set the game mode to Creative for the player running the command:
/gamemode c
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To set the game mode to Adventure for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:
/gamemode adventure DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Adventure for all players:
/gamemode a @a
To set the game mode to Survival for the player running the command:
/gamemode s
Example in Education Edition
To set the game mode to Survival for the player named DigMinecraft in Minecraft Education Edition:
/gamemode survival DigMinecraft
To set the game mode to Survival for all players:
/gamemode s @a
To set the game mode to Creative for the player running the command:
/gamemode c
How to Enter the Command
1. Open the Chat Window
The easiest way to run a command in Minecraft is within the chat window. The game control to open the chat window depends on the version of Minecraft:
- For Java Edition (PC/Mac), press the T key to open the chat window.
- For Pocket Edition (PE), tap on the chat button
at the top of the screen.
- For Xbox One, press the D-Pad (right)
on the controller.
- For PS4, press the D-Pad (right) on the controller.
- For Nintendo Switch, press the right arrow button
on the controller.
- For Windows 10 Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
- For Education Edition, press the T key to open the chat window.
2. Type the Command
In this example, we will set the game mode to Survival with the following command:
/gamemode survival
Type the command in the chat window. As you are typing, you will see the command appear in the lower left corner of the game window. Press the Enter key to run the command.
Once the cheat has been entered, the game mode will be updated.
You will see the message "Set own game mode to Survival Mode" appear in the lower left corner of the game window to indicate that the game mode has been updated for the player.
Congratulations, you just learned how to use the /gamemode command in Minecraft!
Other Game Mode Commands
You can use other gamemode commands in Minecraft such as:
