# Minecraft Capes: A Quick Reference Canonical: https://guides.gaialegends.pro/posts/minecraft-capes-quick-reference Published: 2026-10-01 Updated: 2026-10-01 Version scope: Multiple editions (Java, Bedrock) > Minecraft capes are purely cosmetic items shown on the back of a player's skin. They cannot be custom-made or transferred between accounts. In Java Edition, capes are equipped via the launcher or profile page; in Bedrock, through the Character Creator. Historically rare, capes became more accessible after the 2021 account migration which gave all migrated Java players the Migrator Cape. Recent movie promotions like the Yearn Cape are earned by completing event quests in Bedrock Edition. Minecraft capes are purely cosmetic items shown on the back of a player's skin. They cannot be custom-made or transferred between accounts. In Java Edition, capes are equipped via the launcher or profile page; in Bedrock, through the Character Creator. Historically rare, capes became more accessible after the 2021 account migration which gave all migrated Java players the Migrator Cape. Recent movie promotions like the Yearn Cape are earned by completing event quests in Bedrock Edition. ## Key Takeaways | Point | Details | | --- | --- | | Capes are purely cosmetic | Capes are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay; they also change the elytra appearance. | | Capes cannot be custom-made | Capes cannot be custom-made or transferred between accounts; they must be earned through official promotions or events. | | Java Edition capes are | Java Edition capes are equipped via the Minecraft Launcher or the profile page on Minecraft.net. | | Bedrock Edition capes are | Bedrock Edition capes are equipped in the Character Creator and often assigned a Legendary rarity. | | The 2021 account migration | The 2021 account migration granted the Migrator Cape to all Java Edition players who migrated, marking a shift toward public cape availability. | | The Yearn Cape was | The Yearn Cape was obtainable by completing all six quests in the A Minecraft Movie Live Event on Bedrock Edition from March 25 to April 14, 2025. | Minecraft capes are among the most sought-after cosmetic items in the game. Whether you're a veteran from MINECON 2011 or a newer player looking to earn the latest movie cape, this quick reference covers everything you need to know about capes: what they are, how they work in Java and Bedrock, and how to get them today. ## What Are Capes and How Do They Work? Capes are special items that appear on the back of your character's skin. They are purely cosmetic and do not alter gameplay in any way. Wearing a cape also changes the appearance of the elytra, matching the cape's design. The official Minecraft Wiki states: > Capes are special commemorative items that are shown on the back of the player's skin. > They are purely cosmetic and they do not alter any gameplay. > Wearing a cape also changes the appearance of the elytra, fitting the look of the respective cape. Unlike skins, capes cannot be custom-made and have to be earned through official promotions, events, or as rewards. They also cannot be transferred between accounts, so they remain tied to the account that earned them. > Unlike skins, capes cannot be custom-made and have to be earned. > In addition, they cannot be transferred between accounts. ## Java Edition Capes: History and How to Equip Them In Java Edition, capes are equipped either from the skin creation menu in the Minecraft Launcher or on the profile page at Minecraft.net. > In Java Edition, capes can either be equipped on the skin creation menu in the Minecraft Launcher, or in the profile page on the Minecraft website. Capes in Java Edition have a long history. For about a decade after their introduction in 2010, they were divided into five groups: - **Mojang capes** – given only to Mojang employees. - **MINECON capes** – distributed to attendees of the convention. Around 27,000 of these capes are known to exist. - **Personal capes** – given to individuals as appreciation. - **Volunteer capes** – given to contributors in programs like Crowdin, Mojira, and Realms map making. - **Competition capes** – awarded to winners of competitions in Mojang's other games, Scrolls and Cobalt. Only around 30 of these exist. Of these, only MINECON capes were available to the public in significant numbers, making them extremely exclusive. This exclusivity led to capes becoming high-value targets on black markets and accounts with rare capes being common targets for hacking attempts. The exclusivity peaked in 2017 when MINECON events became livestreams and stopped distributing capes. For almost five years, no new Java Edition capes were obtainable by the public. ## The Migration Era: Capes Become More Accessible ![Minecraft Capes: A Quick Reference supporting Minecraft scene 1](/images/posts/minecraft-capes-quick-reference-inline-1.webp) That changed with the account migration in 2021. All Java Edition players who migrated to a Microsoft account received the Migrator Cape, marking the first public cape in years. Since then, Mojang has continued to offer capes through events and promotions without requiring in-person attendance. > Since the account migration, which granted the Migrator Cape to all Java Edition players who migrated, various capes have been available to the general public without being tied to in-person events. This shift was likely intentional to avoid the problems associated with cape exclusivity. ## Bedrock Edition Capes: Character Creator and Marketplace In Bedrock Edition, capes are equipped in the Capes section of the Character Creator. As Character Creator items, they are assigned a rarity, usually Legendary. > In Bedrock Edition, capes can be equipped in the Capes section on the Character Creator. > As Character Creator items, they are assigned a rarity, usually Legendary. Some capes are also available as part of skin packs, but they can only be used with the corresponding skin. The MINECON 2016 Skin Pack, for example, included Steve and Alex skins wearing all MINECON capes from 2011 to 2016. Bedrock capes are typically earned through the Marketplace, in-game events, or special promotions. Unlike Java Edition, Bedrock has no history of in-person event capes, but it has had several promotional capes, including ones tied to the Minecraft Movie. ## How to Get Capes Today (2026) If you're looking to get a cape right now, here are the current options: - **Migrator Cape** – Still available to any Java Edition player who has not yet migrated their account? Actually, the migration window has closed, so new players cannot get this cape. (Check current status.) - **Yearn Cape** – Given out as part of the A Minecraft Movie Live Event on Bedrock Edition. The event ran from March 25 to April 14, 2025, and required completing all six quests. - **Home Cape and Menace Cape** – Also part of the same movie promotion. - **Future events** – Keep an eye on official Minecraft events and community challenges, as Mojang often introduces new capes through these. > The Yearn cape is obtained by completing all 6 quests in the A Minecraft Movie Live Event, an event server hosted from March 25, 2025 to April 14, 2025 on Bedrock Edition. For a deeper look at how official events work and how they distribute rewards, check out our article on [Minecraft Community Challenges in Official Events: An Analysis](/posts/minecraft-community-challenges-official-events). ## Rare and Historical Cape Summary | Cape Name | Edition | How to Obtain | Rarity | |-----------|---------|---------------|--------| | Migrator Cape | Java | Account migration (2021) | Common (but no longer obtainable) | | Yearn Cape | Bedrock | Complete 6 quests in A Minecraft Movie Live Event (2025) | Limited time | | Home Cape | Bedrock | A Minecraft Movie promotion | Limited time | | Menace Cape | Bedrock | A Minecraft Movie promotion | Limited time | | MINECON 2011-2016 | Java | In-person attendance | Extremely rare (~27,000 total) | | Cobalt/Scrolls Competition | Java | Winning in Mojang's other games | Very rare (~30) | | Mojang Staff | Java | Employment at Mojang | Rare | | Personal/Volunteer | Java | Special recognition | Rare | Note: Unofficial capes exist through mods, but they are only visible to other players using the same mod. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Can I transfer a cape to another account?** No. Capes are permanently tied to the account that earned them and cannot be transferred. **Are there unofficial capes that everyone can see?** No. Mods that add capes only show them to other players using the same mod. Only official Mojang capes are visible to all players. **Can I still get a MINECON cape today?** No. MINECON capes were only given to in-person attendees of MINECON 2011–2016. They are no longer obtainable. **Do capes affect elytra?** Yes. Wearing a cape changes the texture of the elytra to match the cape's design. **Can I use the same cape on Java and Bedrock?** No. Capes are edition-specific. A cape earned on Bedrock will not appear on your Java account, and vice versa. Whether you're chasing the prestige of a MINECON cape or just want to show off your dedication with a movie promo cape, understanding the history and mechanics of capes helps you appreciate these rare digital collectibles. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I transfer a cape to another account? No. Capes are permanently tied to the account that earned them and cannot be transferred, as noted in the official wiki: "they cannot be transferred between accounts." ### Are there unofficial capes that everyone can see? No. Mods that add capes only show them to other players using the same mod. Only official Mojang capes are visible to all players. ### Can I still get a MINECON cape today? No. MINECON capes were only given to in-person attendees of MINECON 2011–2016. They are no longer obtainable. ### Do capes affect elytra appearance? Yes. Wearing a cape changes the texture of the elytra to match the cape's design. ## Sources - Capes are special commemorative items that are shown on the back of the player's skin. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - They are purely cosmetic and they do not alter any gameplay. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - Wearing a cape also changes the appearance of the elytra, fitting the look of the respective cape. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - Unlike skins, capes cannot be custom-made and have to be earned. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - In addition, they cannot be transferred between accounts. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - In Java Edition, capes can either be equipped on the skin creation menu in the Minecraft Launcher, or in the profile page on the Minecraft website. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - Since the account migration, which granted the Migrator Cape to all Java Edition players who migrated, various capes have been available to the general public without being tied to in-person events. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape) - In Bedrock Edition, capes can be equipped in the Capes section on the Character Creator. — [Cape](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Cape)