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World desk14 min

How to Upload a Custom World to a Minecraft Bedrock Server

A precise guide to moving a custom Minecraft Bedrock world into Bedrock Dedicated Server, preserving add-ons, configuring level-name, troubleshooting failures and using Realms when cloud transfer is easier.
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To upload a custom Minecraft Bedrock world, stop the source world, copy its complete world folder into the Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) worlds/ directory, set level-name in server.properties to that folder’s exact name, and restart BDS. Start BDS once before copying so it creates the required directory structure. If you prefer a cloud transfer, Bedrock Realms provides an in-game Upload World or Replace World workflow instead.

Choose the right way to host the world

Your first decision is whether you want file-level control on your own machine, a managed server, or a cloud-based Realms transfer. The upload steps in this guide apply to Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS), Microsoft’s free server software for hosting Bedrock multiplayer worlds. The official download page currently lists Windows and Ubuntu support.

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Option File-level control Upload method Who handles maintenance and firewall Packs and add-ons Player access Backup and rollback
Self-hosted BDS Direct access to the world folder, configuration files and server console Copy or decompress the complete folder into BDS worlds/ You install updates, operate the machine and configure firewall access Control world-local and server-level pack folders Players connect to the address and port you publish You create and restore your own copies
Managed Bedrock hosting Depends on the host’s file manager or transfer tools Usually a web panel or file-transfer workflow; verify Bedrock support and the provider’s import method The provider operates the host; you still need to configure the world and review access settings Depends on the host and its supported Bedrock features Uses the address and port assigned by the provider Depends on the provider’s backup and restore tools
Bedrock Realms No direct server-folder access Use Upload World or Replace World in the Realms interface Cloud service operation replaces machine and firewall administration Use content that the target account and service can load Players join the Realm rather than your self-hosted BDS address Download a world copy and use the Realm’s slots for replacement workflows

Choose BDS when you need direct control over files, configuration, packs and backups. Choose Realms when moving a world between devices without operating a server is more important than server-level control. A managed host can reduce machine and firewall work, but its upload process and Bedrock compatibility must be confirmed before you subscribe.

Understand the cost and work involved

The BDS software itself is free, but self-hosting is not automatically cost-free. You supply a compatible Windows or Ubuntu machine, storage for the installation, the world, logs and backups, and a reliable connection. You are also responsible for operating-system updates, BDS updates, firewall rules, router forwarding and recovery when something goes wrong. Microsoft’s published BDS requirements list 4 GB of RAM and 180 MB to 1 GB of available storage for the software; a large world, add-ons and multiple backups need more space.

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A managed host replaces much of that machine administration with a recurring hosting charge. Compare the provider’s Bedrock version support, world-import method, pack support, player limits, backup schedule and restore process rather than choosing solely on storage. Realms also uses a recurring subscription, but the service handles the server machine and network exposure. No option eliminates the need to keep a backup of an important world.

Prepare the world before copying it

Stop the source world cleanly

Close the Bedrock world normally and make sure it is no longer being saved. Copying a world while it is open can leave its database and metadata out of sync. Keep an untouched backup before making any transfer or rename. Store that backup separately from the working copy so a failed import does not destroy your only version.

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Find the correct world folder

Bedrock client worlds are stored under the minecraftWorlds directory. Folder names there may be cryptic, so do not select a folder by name alone. Open each candidate folder and read levelname.txt; its text identifies the world contained in that folder. This is especially important when several worlds have similar in-game names.

Use the folder identified by levelname.txt as the source for the transfer. Do not create a new empty world and copy a few visible files into it. The world database, metadata and any pack directories work as one set, and mixing files from different saves can produce loading errors or missing progress.

Copy the folder as a complete unit

The folder must include its database and metadata, not just visible construction files. A valid transfer keeps the entire directory tree intact, including any world-specific behavior_packs and resource_packs directories. If you are moving the world to another machine, compress the complete folder for transport, copy the archive to the destination, and decompress it there before configuring BDS.

Keep the original archive until you have opened the destination world and checked important builds, inventories and add-ons. A compressed copy is also useful when you need to repeat the deployment after correcting a folder-name or configuration mistake.

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Install and initialize Bedrock Dedicated Server

Check the host requirements

  • The official BDS download page currently lists Windows and Ubuntu as supported operating systems.
  • Its published requirements specify 4 GB of RAM.
  • Published available-storage guidance is 180 MB to 1 GB; the world itself, logs, backups and add-ons require additional space.
  • Use a current BDS build compatible with the Bedrock clients you expect players to use. Version and platform compatibility can affect whether a world or add-on loads.

These figures describe the server software, not a guarantee for every world size or player count. Leave headroom for world growth, temporary files and at least one independent backup. If you are deciding between a spare home computer and a hosted plan, include electricity, network reliability and the time needed to maintain the machine in the comparison.

Extract BDS into an empty directory

Download the official Bedrock Dedicated Server package and extract it into a directory used only for that server. Keeping BDS files separate from unrelated worlds and archives makes the root server.properties, console logs and pack directories easier to identify.

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Run it once before installing the world

  1. Launch the BDS executable from the extracted directory.
  2. Allow the initial startup to finish. The first run creates the server’s standard directories, including worlds/, and writes the initial configuration files.
  3. Stop the server from its console after initialization completes.

Do not copy an existing world into a directory that has never completed an initial BDS start. The first run is what creates the directory layout that BDS expects. Always stop BDS before replacing a world, changing its folder name or editing the level selection; a running process can keep files open while you are copying them.

Copy the custom world into worlds/

Place the folder at the correct depth

Open the BDS root and then its worlds/ directory. Copy the complete identified world folder directly into that directory. The resulting layout should be equivalent to BDS-root/worlds/YourWorldFolder/, with the world database and metadata inside YourWorldFolder.

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A common transfer mistake is an extra nesting level created by an archive. If decompressing produces worlds/YourWorldFolder/YourWorldFolder/, move the inner folder up so that the folder containing the database is the one directly under worlds/. Conversely, do not copy the contents of the world folder directly into worlds/; BDS needs the folder itself so it can match it to level-name.

Use a simple destination name

You may rename the destination folder to a readable name such as My Great World. Avoid special characters; a short name using letters, numbers, spaces or underscores is easier to use in configuration and troubleshooting. If you rename the folder, make the configuration change in the next section at the same time.

Set level-name to the exact folder name

With BDS stopped, open server.properties in the BDS root. Set the level-name property to the name of the folder directly under worlds/:

level-name=My Great World

The value is case-sensitive for practical troubleshooting purposes: capitalization, spaces and punctuation must match the folder name exactly. BDS uses this property to select the level folder; if it cannot find that match, it can create or load a different level instead of your upload.

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Save the file without changing unrelated properties. Do not put a full path in level-name; use the folder name that appears inside worlds/. If you later rename the world folder, stop the server and update this property before the next startup. Keeping the folder and property names synchronized is the central requirement for selecting an uploaded level.

Keep behavior and resource packs with the world

World-specific packs

A world that depends on add-ons normally carries them in its own behavior_packs and resource_packs directories. Keep those directories inside the uploaded world folder when the packs are required only by that world. Copying only the terrain database while leaving these directories behind can make entities, recipes, scripts or textures disappear.

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Shared packs

BDS also has top-level behavior_packs and resource_packs directories in the server root. Use those locations for packs intended to be available across multiple worlds. A pack needed by only one world belongs with that world; placing every pack at the top level can make it harder to isolate worlds and dependencies.

Check manifests and dependencies

When a pack is present but does not load, inspect its manifest and dependency identifiers. The world and pack versions must be compatible with the BDS build and the players’ Bedrock clients. A dependency that is absent, duplicated or the wrong version can prevent an add-on from appearing even though its directory was copied correctly.

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Marketplace content also has account, licensing and technical limits; do not assume that every package can be copied to every server setup. Use content that the target server and account can legally and technically load, and test the world with the intended client versions before inviting a full player group.

Start BDS and verify the upload

  1. Confirm that the folder containing the world database is directly under worlds/.
  2. Confirm that level-name in server.properties matches that folder character for character.
  3. Start BDS again and watch the console for file, pack or world-loading errors.
  4. From a Bedrock client, connect using the server address and configured port.
  5. Check a distinctive landmark, player inventory or other known feature to make sure the loaded level is the intended world.

Do not treat a server that merely starts as proof that the right world loaded. A clean startup can still select a newly generated level if the folder name and level-name do not agree. If the server appears healthy but the terrain is unfamiliar, stop it before making more changes and recheck the folder, levelname.txt and configuration together.

Test add-ons as well as terrain. Enter an area that uses custom textures or behavior, verify that expected entities and recipes exist, and ask a second player to connect if the world is intended for multiplayer. This separates a successful file import from a successful player-facing deployment.

Allow remote players through the firewall

Players on another machine need the correct server address, the configured port and a host firewall rule that permits that traffic. Microsoft’s Bedrock Dedicated Server example uses 19132 for IPv4 and 19133 for IPv6 as default server ports. Your server.properties values take precedence, so publish the ports actually configured on your server.

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  • Check the address players should use: a local address works only on the same network, while remote players need the host’s reachable address and any required router forwarding.
  • Open the configured server port in the operating system firewall.
  • If the server is behind a router, forward the configured port to the machine running BDS.
  • Test from a network that is not the host’s local network when possible; a local test cannot confirm that internet-facing firewall and forwarding rules are correct.

If local players can join but remote players cannot, the world upload is probably complete; investigate the address, port, firewall and router path instead. Document the final address and port for players, especially when a managed host assigns a port that differs from the common defaults.

Troubleshoot the most common failures

Symptom Checks and corrective action
The world does not appear Stop BDS and verify that the folder containing the database is directly under worlds/, not one level deeper inside another folder.
A new or default world loads Compare the folder name under worlds/ with level-name, including capitalization, spaces and punctuation. Use levelname.txt to confirm the folder’s intended world.
The server stops or reports database errors Restore the untouched backup, recopy the complete folder and decompress it on the destination again. Do not mix files from two world copies.
Textures, behaviors or add-ons are missing Confirm that the world-local behavior_packs and resource_packs directories were copied, then check manifests and dependencies. Move a pack to a top-level directory only when it is meant to be shared.
Remote players cannot connect Verify the address, the configured port, the host firewall and any router forwarding. Compare the client’s port with the value BDS is actually using.
A transfer between machines fails Stop the source and destination servers, archive the complete world folder, copy the archive, decompress it on the destination, and only then edit server.properties.
Only some players can load the world Check Bedrock client and BDS version compatibility, then review add-on requirements and account or licensing restrictions for any Marketplace content.

If a replacement copy still fails, remove the incomplete destination folder before restoring the archive. Leaving fragments from multiple attempts in the same directory makes it difficult to tell whether the database, metadata or pack set is actually being used. Keep the server stopped while comparing copies.

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Move a world between computers safely

A cross-machine move is the same deployment with an extra transport step. Stop BDS on the source, make a backup, and compress the complete folder rather than selecting individual files. Copy the archive to the destination server, decompress it so the world folder sits directly under the destination’s worlds/, and set level-name only after the folder is in place. Start BDS and inspect the console before allowing players to reconnect.

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Keep the original archive until you have opened the destination world and checked important builds, inventories and add-ons. If the destination fails, stop it, remove the damaged working copy and restore the untouched archive instead of trying to repair a partial transfer. Recheck the destination BDS version and pack dependencies when moving between operating systems or host providers.

Upload or replace a world through Bedrock Realms

Realms is a separate cloud workflow, not a way to copy files into a BDS worlds/ directory. It is useful when you want to move a Bedrock single-player world between devices without maintaining a server machine. Minecraft Help describes Realms as a way to upload single-player worlds to the cloud and download them on other devices for uninterrupted play.

  1. Open the Realms Hub and select the Realm and slot you want to manage.
  2. Choose Edit World.
  3. For an empty slot, choose Upload World and select the Bedrock world.
  4. To overwrite the active world, choose Replace World, select the replacement, and confirm the operation.
  5. On the destination device, use Download World to save a local copy when you need the world outside the Realm.

Use Upload World when you want to preserve an existing active slot and have an empty slot available. Replace World overwrites the selected active world, so make a backup first and confirm that you selected the intended Realm and slot. Players currently in a world that is being replaced are temporarily disconnected; tell them when the Realm will be unavailable.

Realms does not give you BDS configuration access, server-console access or a direct filesystem path. If you need custom server properties, shared top-level pack folders or your own firewall and address, deploy to BDS or a managed Bedrock host instead.

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Backups, updates and rollback planning

  • Keep at least one untouched copy made before the upload or replacement.
  • For a self-hosted BDS, stop the server before taking a file-level backup so the database is not changing during the copy.
  • Record the BDS version, Bedrock client version and pack versions alongside each backup; compatibility problems are easier to diagnose when those details are known.
  • After an update, launch the world with no players first and inspect the console for conversion or pack errors.
  • Never overwrite your only known-good backup with a copy made after a failed conversion.

A practical rollback is deliberately conservative: stop BDS, move the failed working folder out of worlds/, restore the untouched folder with its original structure, verify level-name, and start the server without players. For Realms, download a local copy before replacing a slot so you have a separate recovery point.

Final upload checklist

  • BDS has been launched once and then stopped.
  • The source world was closed cleanly and backed up.
  • levelname.txt identified the intended source folder.
  • The complete folder, including database, metadata and required pack directories, is directly under worlds/.
  • server.properties uses the exact destination folder name in level-name.
  • World-local and shared packs are in the appropriate directories and their manifests are compatible.
  • BDS starts without relevant errors and loads a recognizable feature from the intended world.
  • Remote players have the correct address and configured port, and the host firewall permits access.
  • An untouched archive remains available for rollback.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly do I put a Bedrock world folder on a dedicated server?

Put the complete folder directly inside the BDS root’s worlds/ directory, for example BDS-root/worlds/My Great World/. The database and metadata must be inside that folder, not in an extra nested directory.

Why does my uploaded world not load?

Check that BDS was started once, the folder is directly under worlds/, and level-name exactly matches the folder name, including capitalization, spaces and punctuation. Then use levelname.txt and the console to confirm you copied the intended world.

Can I copy only the world database?

No. Copy the complete world folder, including metadata and any world-local behavior_packs and resource_packs directories. Selective copying can cause missing add-ons or database errors.

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Should a pack go in the world folder or the BDS root?

Keep a pack in the world’s own pack directory when only that world needs it. Use the BDS root-level pack directories for packs intended to be shared across multiple worlds, and check manifests and dependencies in either case.

What ports should players use?

Use the ports configured in server.properties. Microsoft’s example uses 19132 for IPv4 and 19133 for IPv6, but firewall rules, router forwarding and the address you publish must match your actual configuration.

Can I move a Bedrock world to Realms?

Yes. In Realms Hub, select the Realm and slot, choose Edit World, then use Upload World for an empty slot or Replace World to overwrite the active slot. You can use Download World on another device to save a local copy.

Is Bedrock Dedicated Server free?

Microsoft distributes the BDS software for free. Self-hosting still requires a suitable Windows or Ubuntu machine, storage, network access, maintenance and firewall administration. Managed hosting and Realms add their own recurring service costs.

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Are Marketplace add-ons guaranteed to work on every server?

No. Account, licensing, version and technical restrictions can affect portability. Use content the target server and account can legally and technically load, and test the intended BDS and client versions.

The Bottom Line

For BDS, stop the source, back it up, start BDS once, copy the complete world folder directly into worlds/, and set level-name to the exact folder name. Preserve world-specific packs, open the configured firewall ports, and verify a recognizable feature in-game. Use Realms’ Upload World or Replace World workflow when cloud transfer is preferable to file-level server control.

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