Installing custom maps in Minecraft PE (Bedrock Edition) on devices with the Android operating system is a process that often causes difficulties for players due to changes in the file system structure in the latest versions of the OS. In the past, access to folders was open, but modern Google security restrictions require strict rules when working with directories. To enjoy ready-made attractions, parkour or story worlds created by the community, you need to know exactly where to place the files and how to activate them. /Android/data And /Android/obb. To enjoy pre-made attractions, parkours, or community-created story worlds, you need to know exactly where to put the files and how to activate them.
In this article we will take a detailed look at the current folder paths for versions of Android 11, 12, 13 and newer, since they are radically different from the old schemes. You'll learn how to use file managers to correctly move archives .mcworld and folders with maps, as well as how to avoid common mistakes that can cause a world not to appear in the save list. Proper organization of files ensures that your masterpiece or downloaded level will load without crashes and texture errors.
Preparing files and checking formats
Before you start manipulating the file system of your smartphone, make sure that you have the map file itself. Most often, maps are distributed in two formats: archives .zipcontaining a folder with world resources, or special installation packages with the extension .mcworld. The last option is the most preferred for beginners, as it is designed to install automatically when opened. However, manual installation through a file manager gives you more control over the process and allows you to correct damage in the folder structure.
If you downloaded the card in the format .zip or .rar, you will definitely need an archiver application. Standard Android tools do not always correctly display the nested folder structure required by Minecraft. It is recommended to use tools such as ZArchiver or RARthat allow you to not only unpack files, but also rename them, as well as move them to protected system directories where a regular Explorer may not have access without additional permissions.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to open a map file directly from the browser loader without first checking it content. Make sure that inside the archive there is a folder
level.dat—this is the main save file, without which the game will not recognize the world as valid.
It is also worth checking the version of the game for which the map is intended. Old worlds created for versions 1.12 or lower may not work correctly on modern builds 1.20+ due to changes in chunk generation and blocks. If the author of the map has not indicated compatibility, be prepared for the fact that some buildings may “float” or disappear after loading.
Main paths to game folders on Android
The most difficult step for users is to find the correct directory where they need to copy the files. Starting with Android 11, folder access /Android/data/ has been restricted for third-party apps for security reasons. This means that a standard file manager may show this folder empty or prohibit copying files inside it. To work, you will need either a special file manager with access rights (for example, the same ZArchiver with a request for special permission), or connecting your smartphone to a PC.
There are two main paths that are used depending on the operating system version and storage type. The table below shows the current routes you will use. Please note that the path may vary slightly depending on the device manufacturer, but the structure com.mojang remains the same for all Android devices.
| Storage type | Android version | Full folder path | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal memory | Android 10 and below | /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds |
Main storage of worlds |
| Internal memory | Android 11 and above | /Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds |
Protected storage |
| External SD card | Any (if available) | /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds |
Alternate storage |
| Resource packages | Android 11+ | .../files/games/com.mojang/resource_packs |
Textures and addons |
Understanding the difference between these paths is critical. If you place files in the old directory /games/ on the new Android, the game simply will not see them, since it now looks for data exclusively in the protected zone /Android/data/. Conversely, trying to write files to a new directory on an old device may result in an access rights error.
Step-by-step guide for installing cards
The installation process can be divided into several logical steps, compliance with which minimizes the risk of errors. First you need to make sure that the map file is unzipped and ready to move. If this is an archive .zip, extract it so that you get a folder with the name of the card (for example, Parkour_City_v2), inside which there are files level.dat, db and other service data.
Next comes the most crucial moment - moving. Open your file manager, find the unpacked folder with the card in the “Downloads” section (Download). Select it and select the “Copy” or “Cut” function. Now follow the path given in the previous section for your version of Android. Paste the folder inside the directory minecraftWorlds. It is important not to create unnecessary subfolders: the structure should look like .../minecraftWorlds/Name of Maps/level.dat, and not .../minecraftWorlds/Name of Maps/Name of Maps/level.dat.
- 📂 Make sure that the folder name does not contain Cyrillic characters or special characters, it is better to use the Latin alphabet and numbers.
- 💾 Check the free space on the internal drive, as large maps can take up several gigabytes.
- 🔄 After copying, completely close the Minecraft application through the multitasking menu to reset the cache paths.
If you use a file with the extension .mcworld, the procedure is simplified as much as possible. Simply click on the file in any file manager. The system will automatically offer to open it using Minecraft. After confirmation, the import process will begin, which can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the size of the world. Upon completion, you will see a notification “The world has been imported”, and it will immediately appear in the list of your saves.
☑️ Installation checklist
Solving problems with access to the Android 11+ folder
Users of new versions of Android often encounter a situation where the file manager writes “Access denied” when trying to log in /Android/data/. This is a system limitation that cannot simply be disabled in the settings. However, there are workarounds. The most reliable is to use the application ZArchiver. The first time you try to access a protected folder, it will ask for special permission: click “OK”, go to the system window that opens and select the “Use this folder” button, confirming the action.
An alternative way is to use a computer. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB cable in file transfer mode (MTP). On a computer, folder access restrictions Android/data are often absent or less strict, which allows you to safely copy map files to the desired directory through standard Windows or macOS Explorer. After disconnecting the cable, the files will immediately become available in the game.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete or move other files from the folder
/Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/except those that you add yourself. Deleting system cache files or libraries can lead to a complete reset of the game or its inoperability.
In some cases, clearing the cache of the “Files” or “File Manager” application in the smartphone settings helps if it has “remembered” the old path or access rights. It’s also worth checking if your phone has “Secure Folder” or “Private Folder” mode enabled, which can isolate some applications from the general storage.
What should you do if the game crashes after installation?
If, after installing the map, Minecraft crashes when loading the world, most likely the version of the map is incompatible with your version of the game, or the files were damaged during copying. Try deleting the card and downloading it again from another source, being sure to check the integrity of the archive before unpacking. Also try to disable all active resource packs before starting this world.
Features of installation on different launchers
It is worth considering that the path to the files may differ if you are not using the official version from Google Play, but third-party launchers, such as BlockLauncher or modified assemblies (TLauncher and analogues). In such cases, the game can create its own directory in the root of the internal memory, for example /games/com.mojang_alt/ or simply /minecraft/.
To find out the exact path for the unofficial version, run the game, create any test world, and then open the file manager and use the file search function level.dat. The system will find all files with that name, and you will see in which folder your test world is located. This is where you need to copy new cards. This method is universal and works even if you have forgotten which launcher you are using.
For owners of devices from Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei, there are additional nuances. For example, on MIUI you may need to manually enable the display of hidden files and folders in the Explorer settings. On Samsung with the One UI shell, access to Android/data through the native “My Files” is completely closed, so the use of third-party software is mandatory.
- 📱 On Xiaomi, enable the display of hidden objects in the Explorer settings.
- 🔒 On Samsung, use ZArchiver to bypass One restrictions UI.
- 📂 On Huawei, check the “File Manager” settings for access restrictions.
Expert tip: Before installing heavy cards with a lot of mods or shaders, free up at least 2-3 GB of RAM by closing background applications. This will prevent the game from crashing at the chunk generation stage.
Frequent errors and methods for eliminating them
One of the most common problems is the appearance of a world in the list, but with a “Castle” icon, or the inability to enter it. This often means that the game cannot find the resource pack files that were used to create the map. In such cases, you need to download the missing addons and place them in a folder resource_packs or behavior_packs along the same path as the worlds.
Another common mistake is duplicating folder names. If you downloaded two versions of the same map, make sure that their folders are named differently. Otherwise, the game may overwrite one world with another or issue a data reading error. You can rename a folder directly in the file manager by changing its name to a unique one, for example, adding a number minecraftWorlds are called differently. Otherwise, the game may overwrite one world with another or issue a data reading error. You can rename a folder directly in the file manager by changing its name to a unique one, for example, by adding a number _v2 to the end.
Also, players often forget that for some maps to work, you need to enable cheats or an experimental game mode. If, when loading, you see a warning about reaching the limit of entities or script errors, go to the world settings (by clicking on the pencil next to the name) and activate the necessary options in the “Game Settings” section.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and file paths may change slightly with the release of major Minecraft PE updates. Always check the current folder structure in official sources or on community forums if standard methods no longer work.
The correct location of files in the minecraftWorlds folder is the key to a successful download. an error in one nesting level makes the map invisible to the game.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the map not appear in the list of worlds after copying?
Most likely, you put the files in the wrong folder or created an extra nesting. Check that the file level.dat is located immediately inside the folder with the name of the card, and not in a subfolder. Also make sure that the path matches your version of Android (subject to Android 11+ restrictions).
Can you install maps on an external SD card?
Yes, this is possible, but only if an external card is selected in the Minecraft settings in the "Storage" section. In this case, the path will start from /storage/XXXX-XXXX/games/com.mojang/.... However, working with an external card may be slower, which will cause slowdowns when loading chunks.
How to install a card if I do not have root access?
root access is not needed to install cards. It is enough to use applications like ZArchiverthat request system permission to access the folder Android/data, or connect the phone to the computer to copy files via USB.
What to do if the game says “Could not load level”?
This message indicates that the world files are corrupted. Try downloading the map again. If the error persists, the map may have been created for a different version of the game (for example, Java Edition or a very old PE) and its files are not compatible with your client.
Where can I find the resource_packs folder for map textures?
The resource packs folder is located next to the worlds folder. Path: /Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/resource_packs. Here you need to copy archives or folders with textures, and then activate them in the game settings before starting the world.