Everything you need to know about Genshin Impact 1.6

Genshin Impact 1.6 is set to be an exciting one, and it will go live in just a few days, bringing new characters, events, weapons, items, and more to the game.

Here is everything you need to know about the next patch.

LATEST - Players Can Pre-Install The 1.6 Update

Ahead of the upcoming 1.6 update that will launch later this week, miHoYo has now activated pre-loading, which will allow players to install the 1.6 patch ahead of downtime beginning.

This is useful for slower internet players as they can immediately jump back into the game once downtime ends.

Here is how to pre-load.

PC

When opening the launcher you will be prompted to update it, you will need to update the launcher before you next play regardless of whether you pre-load so make sure this is done.

Once the launcher is updated, click the pre-installation button at the bottom of the launcher.

Once you confirm the update it will then begin, the file size is 8.1GB.

Mobile

Travellers may begin pre-installing update resources by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Other > Pre-Install Resource Package.

PlayStation

Unfortunately, pre-loading the update isn't available on the PS4 or PS5, players will have to wait until downtime begins in order to update the game.

Release Date

The Genshin Impact 1.6 update is expected to go live on Wednesday, June 9th.

Downtime

Downtime usually begins at 6am UTC+8, which is 6 pm EST/11 pm BST on Tuesday, 8th June.

It typically lasts for five hours and players will be rewarded with 300 Primogems.

Platforms

Genshin Impact is currently available on PC, iOS, Android, PS4, and PS5.

Epic Games Store

It has been announced that Genshin Impact will be released on Epic Games Store on Wednesday, June 9th, the same date as the start of the 1.6 update.

The game will still be available through its own dedicated launcher like it is now, but putting it on Epic Games Store will certainly help with visibility for the game so will only bring good things to it.

Nintendo Switch Release?

When the game was first released in 2020 a Nintendo Switch port was announced, but ultimately delayed.

Fans have been expecting the port with every new update but so far it remains elusive and looks to be the case with the 1.6 update.

It is expected that it will be released in mid-late 2021 so perhaps alongside the 1.7 update?

Patch Notes

As with every updates comes patch notes, detailing everything that we can expect to see when we jump back into the game.

Once these are made available by miHoYo we will update this with everything you need to know.

New Characters

With several rumored characters on their way to Genshin Impact, the most likely that players will see seems to be Kazuha, a 5-Star Anemo Sword wielder.

Kazuha is a ronin from Inazuma who currently works aboard the Crux fleet under the command of Beidou.

Klee is also returning as the first Event Banner of 1.6.

New Items

A new 5-Star Sword and 5-Star Catalyst are coming with 1.6, as well a new 4-Star Bow.

Read about the new items here.

Events

As players explore the new archipelago released in Genshin 1.6, there will be new events and challenges to keep them busy.

These include:

• Main Cannon, Make Ready...Fire!
• Echoing Tales
• Never-Ending Battle
• Kaboomball Kombat
• Legend of the Vagabond Sword

Read all about the new events and challenges here.