The right way to download a Minecraft world depends on where it is saved: a local device, a Bedrock or Java Realm, or an Xbox cloud save. First identify your edition and device, then follow the matching route below. Minecraft’s edition overview explains the platform differences, and its Backup & Restore index links to device-specific instructions.
Choose the download method for your world
| Where the world is saved | Supported route | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Android Bedrock local save | Copy the world folder over USB | Direct folder access is documented only for worlds created with File Storage Location set to External. |
| Bedrock Realm | Download a copy from the Realm’s world slot | The downloaded copy appears under All Worlds. |
| Bedrock local world moving between devices | Upload it to a Realm, then download it on the destination device | An active Realms trial or paid subscription and current game versions on both devices are required. |
| Java Realm | Download from World Backups | The copy is added to single-player worlds. |
| Xbox cloud save | Use Minecraft’s world management options | Cloud saves are tied to the signed-in Microsoft account. |
| Other local-device saves | Use the matching Minecraft Help article | Do not assume another platform’s file path or export steps apply. |
Download a local Bedrock world from Android
Minecraft Help documents direct folder copying only when the world’s File Storage Location was set to External when it was created. Its guidance says, “You can copy Minecraft: Bedrock Edition worlds created on Android devices to a computer or another Android device if your File Storage Location was set to External when you created your world.” See the Android backup and storage instructions for the current details.
- Connect the Android device to a computer with a USB data-transfer cable.
- On the Android device, open the USB notification and select File Transfer or MTP.
- On the computer, browse to
Android > data > com.mojang.minecraftpe > files > games > com.mojang > minecraftWorlds. - Copy the
minecraftWorldsfolder or the individual world folder you need to the destination.
If the world uses Application storage, this folder-copy method is not the documented route; use the Realms transfer process below instead. The Android path should not be treated as a universal Bedrock save path.
Download a copy of a Bedrock Realm world
In Minecraft, open Play > Realms, select the Realm’s Realms Hub, then choose World > Slots. Open the three-dot menu next to Edit world for the slot you want and choose Download World. The downloaded copy appears under All Worlds. Follow Minecraft Help’s Bedrock Realm download instructions if labels differ in your game version.
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Move a Bedrock local world to another device using Realms
This route temporarily uses a Realm as a transfer point. Minecraft Help requires an active Realms trial or paid subscription and the most recent Minecraft version on both devices. Sign in with the same Microsoft account on the destination device. The destination download appears on the Worlds tab with “- Copy” appended. See the official Bedrock transfer guidance.
- On the device that has the world, open the Realm and choose an empty slot’s Upload World option, or choose Replace World to overwrite a slot already in use.
- On the destination device, sign in to the same Microsoft account and open the Realm.
- Select Download World for the uploaded slot.
Use Replace World only if you intend to replace that Realm slot’s existing world.
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Download a Java Realm world
In Minecraft Java Edition, open Realms, select the Realm, then choose Configure > World Backups > Download Latest > Continue. Minecraft adds the downloaded world to your single-player worlds. The Java Realms instructions describe this backup-download route.
Download an Xbox cloud-saved world
Minecraft cloud saves are associated with the Microsoft account signed in on Xbox. When the console is online and signed in, Minecraft backs worlds up automatically; a world created offline is backed up the first time it is played online. A world that has not been played remains only on the console until it is backed up. The official Xbox cloud-save guidance also describes checking and managing world copies.
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- On the Play screen, check the world’s displayed status to see whether it is cloud-synced, cloud-only, or local-only.
- Open the world’s details or management actions and choose Download from cloud to retrieve the cloud copy.
- To upload an older local world immediately, use Settings > Storage > Manage Worlds as directed by Minecraft Help.
If a console copy appears out of date, verify which copy you want to keep before attempting recovery. Minecraft’s latest-cloud-copy recovery procedure can involve deleting the console copy before launching the game to sync, so it is not a safe first step when you are unsure which version contains your progress.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.For Windows, iPhone, Switch, PlayStation, and Java local saves
The exact backup and transfer steps differ by device. Minecraft Help lists separate guidance for Windows Bedrock, iPhone and iPad, Java local saves, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and other backup or recovery topics. Use the article for the same edition and device as your world rather than adapting the Android folder path or a console procedure.
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