How to change view/simulation distance in Minecraft?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 10, 2025, 12:41 IST

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Simulation distance in Minecraft dictates how far away game mechanics function, impacting everything from farms to mob behavior. You can change this from your video settings. Adjusting this setting optimizes performance and enables complex automation. Java Edition offers a wider range, while Bedrock Edition provides simpler controls. Experiment to balance gameplay smoothness and redstone capabilities.

How to change view/simulation distance in Minecraft?

How to Change Simulation Distance in Minecraft?

If you’ve ever wondered why your farms suddenly stop working when you walk away—or why mobs disappear just a few blocks out—it all comes down to one setting: simulation distance. This often-overlooked option can make or break your in-game experience, affecting everything from redstone machines to mob farms and even overall performance. Whether you’re optimizing your world or just trying to reduce lag, here’s how to quickly and effectively tweak simulation distance in both Minecraft Bedrock and Java editions.

How to Change View Distance/Simulation Distance in Minecraft?

Simulation distance decides how far away stuff still “works.�?Redstone contraptions, mob spawns, plant growth, water flows—all of these depend on simulation distance. If something’s outside that range? It won’t tick. That means your crops won’t grow and your mobs won’t move unless you're close enough.
So if your massive auto-farm isn't working unless you're standing next to it, this is probably why.

What is Simulation Distance and How Do You Change It?

Why It Matters

Performance Boost: Lowering simulation distance reduces the load on your system. Great for low-end PCs or mobile devices.
Better Automation: Need distant redstone machines or farms to keep running? Crank it up.
Mob Behavior: Affects spawning, despawning, and even the way mobs interact in your world.

Now let’s get into the how-to, based on your Minecraft version.

Changing Simulation Distance in Java Edition

Works on: Windows, macOS, Linux

Launch Minecraft Java.
Go to Options �?Video Settings.
Look for �?strong>Simulation Distance�?Slider.
Set It Anywhere from 5 to 32 Chunks.
Click Done. Jump into your world.

Pro tip: Java lets you run massive farms even while exploring far-off lands. Just make sure your PC can handle it.

How To Change Simulation Distance In Minecraft Bedrock 1.20

Changing Simulation Distance in Bedrock Edition

Works on: Windows 10, Mobile, Console

Start a World: Create a new one or edit an existing save.
Advanced Settings: Scroll to the �?strong>Advanced�?tab in the world options.
Find Simulation Distance: You’ll see a dropdown—typically ranges from 4 to 12 chunks.
Pick Your Number: Choose what suits your playstyle and device.
Save and Play: Hit the Play button, and you're good to go!

Tip: Playing multiplayer on Bedrock? Lower the simulation distance to avoid lag if many players are online.

Final Thoughts

Simulation distance is like the backstage crew of your Minecraft world—silent, but crucial. Whether you're optimizing performance or unlocking complex game mechanics, mastering this one setting gives you more control than you think.
So go ahead—experiment. Dial it down for smooth gameplay, or pump it up to power sprawling redstone empires. Either way, your world just got a lot smarter.

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About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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