This Minecraft tutorial explains how to use a game command to save your inventory after dying with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
You might find it frustrating that you have worked so hard to gather the items in your inventory and then you die and lose it all. Did you know that you can use a cheat in the game to allow you to retain your inventory after dying? Let's explore how to use this cheat (game command).
Supported Platforms
The keep inventory command is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
| Platform | Supported (Version*) |
|---|---|
 Java Edition (PC/Mac) | Yes (1.4.2) |
 Pocket Edition (PE) | Yes (1.0.5) |
 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 (1.0.5) |
 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.
keepInventory Command
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac), the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepInventory true
Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE), the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepinventory true
Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition, the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepinventory true
Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition, the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepinventory true
Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition, the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepinventory true
Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepinventory true
Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition, the syntax to keep your inventory after dying and respawning using the /gamerule command is:
/gamerule keepinventory true
Examples
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac)
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac):
/gamerule keepInventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepInventory false
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft PE:
/gamerule keepinventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepinventory false
Example in Xbox One Edition
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft Xbox One Edition:
/gamerule keepinventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepinventory false
Example in PS4 Edition
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft PS4 Edition:
/gamerule keepinventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepinventory false
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition:
/gamerule keepinventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepinventory false
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:
/gamerule keepinventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepinventory false
Example in Education Edition
To keep inventory after dying in Minecraft Education Edition:
/gamerule keepinventory true
To lose inventory after dying:
/gamerule keepinventory false
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.
at the top of the screen.
on the controller.
on the controller.2. Type the Command
In this example, we will set the gamerule to keep inventory after dying with the following command:
/gamerule keepInventory true
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.
The game rule will be changed for your world. Now, let's see what happens to your inventory when you die in the game.
As you can see in the Respawn window above, your items are still in your hotbar. You did not throw them in front of you when you died this time. Now, click the Respawn button to rejoin the game.
Here you are back in the game. Your items are still in your hotbar and also in your other inventory rows. You won't have to find where you last died in the game to reacquire your items.
Congratulations, you just learned how to use the keepInventory cheat to save your inventory items when you die and respawn in Minecraft!
