Minecraft 26.3 RC2 confirms the September 15 release target

What happened

Mojang published Minecraft Java Edition 26.3 Release Candidate 2 on September 11.

The post identifies this as the prospective Wilderness Bound release build if no critical issue is found.

The practical change: Back up the world or use a separate folder before enabling snapshots, and do not treat a release candidate as the final stable build until Mojang ships it.

What is confirmed

• The target date stated by Mojang is September 15.
• RC2 fixes MC-311782, where opening a folder could freeze the game until the folder appeared.
• The candidate is available through the Minecraft Launcher by enabling snapshots.
• Mojang warns that testing versions can corrupt worlds.

What this means for players

Java players testing 26.3 can retest the folder-opening freeze on the newer candidate.

World and server owners should keep the candidate separate from their main save until the stable release is confirmed.

What is still unconfirmed

Mojang has not guaranteed that RC2 will ship unchanged; the post explicitly conditions that outcome on no critical issue being found.

What to do next

1. 01
   Back up the world or use a separate game folder.
2. 02
   Enable snapshots only if you intend to test a prerelease build.
3. 03
   Check the official changelog again on September 15 before updating a production world or server.

Official source and image record