MC Version Converter converts Minecraft: Java Edition worlds saved in version 26.1 or later so versions 1.18.2 through 1.21.11 can open them. This free command-line tool is distributed as source code for Linux, macOS and Windows, and requires Rust and a `cargo build --release` build. For older target versions, it reverses newer formats for items, entity equipment, attributes, sign text and player bed respawns, among other changes. Batch mode processes each world folder in `input_worlds/` and writes results into separate folders in `output_worlds/`. It leaves the original world untouched. There are limits to the conversion: versions 1.17.x and earlier are unsupported because their world height differs, and some data added in 26.x may be lost when converted to older versions. Blocks without a target-version equivalent can be replaced with air when a target block allowlist is supplied. Some data with no legacy equivalent is dropped, and oversized `.mcc` chunks are copied without conversion. Corrupt region, POI or chunk files are skipped with a warning. The project is unofficial and MIT-licensed.
Who it is for
It suits Java Edition players with 26.1-or-later worlds who need to open them in versions 1.18.2 through 1.21.11 and can build a Rust source project.
What is good
- Original worlds remain unchanged.
- Batch mode converts multiple world folders.
- Corrupt files are skipped with a warning.
- Free and MIT-licensed.
What to know first
- Requires Rust and a release build.
- Versions 1.17.x and older are unsupported.
- Some newer-version data may be lost or dropped.
- Oversized `.mcc` files are copied without conversion.
Verdict
MC Version Converter offers a focused way to convert newer Java Edition worlds to listed older versions while preserving the originals. Building from source and potential data loss are key constraints.
MC Version Converter plans and pricing
All plansCompared on Minecraft world converters
- Free plan
- Yes
- Source editions
- Minecraft: Java Edition 26.1 or later
- Target editions
- Minecraft: Java Edition 1.18.2–1.21.11
- Java-Bedrock conversion
- No
- Version conversion
- Yes
- Format conversion
- Yes
- Preserves entities
- Yes
- Batch conversion
- Yes
