Uploading your own Minecraft world to the server

A world that previously ran in singleplayer or on another server can be transferred. The world and its builds are kept. For older worlds, a server does not take over the inventory from singleplayer.

Check first: the game version

A world can be upgraded to a newer game version, but not back. If the world was played with a newer version than the server, it does not start. Therefore, first check which version is running on the server. The current server version is shown in the customer portal.

It must also be the Java Edition. Worlds from Bedrock Edition, that is console, mobile or Minecraft for Windows, cannot be transferred directly.

What belongs in the archive

You need the world folder itself, that is, the directory containing the level.dat file. In singleplayer, it is located under saves in the Minecraft directory.

• From version 26.1 onward, this includes the dimensions folder (Overworld, Nether and End) and the players folder (player progress).
• For older worlds, these are DIM-1 and DIM1 (Nether and End) as well as playerdata.
• Pack the world folder as a ZIP archive, not its contents individually.

The procedure

1. Stop the server in the customer portal.
2. Download the existing world, even if you no longer need it. This way, it can be restored.
3. Upload the archive with your own world.
4. Start the server and connect once yourself before you invite players.

If the world does not start

• The archive contains the contents of the world folder instead of the folder itself. Pack it again.
• The world comes from a newer game version than the server.

If the world was played with mods, it still starts. Blocks and items from mods are lost during loading.

The other way around

You can download the running world at any time, to keep it, to continue playing in singleplayer or as your own backup before a major rebuild. Independently of this, an automatic backup is made every day.

See also: View Minecraft server How much RAM? Connecting players