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Installing Minecraft Marketplace Addons on a Bedrock Dedicated Server

Yes, it is indeed possible to install addons purchased with Minecoins from the Minecraft Marketplace onto a Minecraft Bedrock dedicated server. While these addons are primarily designed for use within the standard Minecraft client, they can be adapted for use on a dedicated server with a specific process. This process involves downloading the addon, transferring its files to the server, and configuring the server to recognize and utilize the addon. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the necessary steps, along with important considerations for compatibility and troubleshooting.

Understanding Minecraft Addons

Minecraft addons come in various forms, primarily:

Behavior Packs: These modify the game's mechanics, such as mob behavior, item properties, and crafting recipes.
Resource Packs: These alter the game's visual and auditory elements, including textures, sounds, and user interface elements.
Worlds: These are pre-built maps that may include custom structures, terrain, and sometimes integrated behavior and resource packs.

Addons from the Minecraft Marketplace are typically packaged as .mcpack, .mcaddon, or .mcworld files. These files are essentially compressed archives that contain the necessary data for the addon.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

Minecraft Bedrock Edition: You need a copy of Minecraft Bedrock Edition on a device (Windows, Android, iOS, etc.) to purchase and download addons from the Marketplace.
Minecraft Bedrock Dedicated Server: You need a functioning Bedrock dedicated server. You can download the server software from the official Minecraft website: Minecraft Bedrock Server Downloads.
Server File Access: You need access to your server's file system, typically via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or a file manager provided by your hosting provider.
Minecoins: You need Minecoins to purchase addons from the Minecraft Marketplace.
Basic File Management Skills: You should be comfortable navigating file systems, extracting files, and editing text files.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Purchase and Download the Addon

Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition on your device.
Navigate to the Minecraft Marketplace.
Browse or search for the addon you wish to install.
Purchase the addon using Minecoins.
Download the addon. It will be saved to your device's local storage.

Step 2: Locate the Addon Files

The location of the addon files varies depending on your device:

Windows 10/11: %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang
Android: /storage/emulated/0/games/com.mojang or Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang
iOS: Use a file management app to access games/com.mojang.

Within the com.mojang folder, you will find the following subfolders:

behavior_packs: Contains behavior pack files.
resource_packs: Contains resource pack files.
minecraftWorlds: Contains world files.

Copy the relevant addon files (.mcpack, .mcaddon, or .mcworld) to a temporary folder on your computer.

Step 3: Prepare the Addon Files

If the addon file is in .mcaddon format, you need to change the file extension to .zip and extract its contents. This will reveal the behavior pack and resource pack folders, if included in the addon. If the addon is a world file (.mcworld), you can skip this step.

Step 4: Transfer Addon Files to the Server

Connect to your server using an FTP client or your hosting provider's file manager.
Navigate to the server's root directory.
Locate the following directories:
- behavior_packs: Upload the behavior pack folder here.
- resource_packs: Upload the resource pack folder here.
- worlds: If using a premade world, upload the world folder here.

Step 5: Configure the Server

Open the server.properties file in the server's root directory using a text editor.
Modify the following settings:
- level-name=<world_name>: Set this to the name of the premade world folder if using a custom world.
- texturepack-required=true: Enforce the use of resource packs (optional).
Navigate to your server's world folder (usually named Bedrock level within the worlds folder).
Create two new files if they do not already exist: world_resource_packs.json and world_behavior_packs.json.

Open world_behavior_packs.json and add the behavior pack details:

        
[
    {
        "pack_id": "<behavior_pack_uuid>",
        "version": [1, 0, 0]
    }
]

Open world_resource_packs.json and add the resource pack details:

        
[
    {
        "pack_id": "<resource_pack_uuid>",
        "version": [1, 0, 0]
    }
]

The pack_id and version can be found in the manifest.json file within the addon folder.

Step 6: Restart the Server

Save all changes to the configuration files.
Stop your server using the control panel provided by your hosting service.
Start your server again to apply the changes.

Compatibility Considerations

Version Compatibility: Ensure that the addon is compatible with the version of Minecraft Bedrock Edition running on your server. Check the addon’s description in the Marketplace for version requirements.
Experimental Mode: Some addons may require experimental mode to be enabled on the server. This setting is usually found in the server configuration or settings panel.
Cross-Platform Support: Addons purchased from the Marketplace are designed for cross-platform compatibility. However, some features may behave differently on specific devices.
Server Performance: Addons, especially those with complex behavior packs, can impact server performance. Monitor CPU and RAM usage to ensure smooth gameplay.
Addon Licensing: Addons purchased with Minecoins are tied to your Microsoft account. If the server is hosted by a third party, you may encounter licensing issues.

Potential Issues and Troubleshooting

Addon Not Loading:
- Verify that the addon files are correctly placed in the behavior_packs and resource_packs folders.
- Check the world_behavior_packs.json and world_resource_packs.json files for syntax errors.
- Ensure the manifest.json file is present and correctly formatted in the addon folder.
- Verify that the pack_id and version in the JSON configuration files match the addon’s manifest.json.
Players Unable to Join:
- Ensure the texturepack-required setting is enabled in server.properties.
- Confirm that all players have the same version of Minecraft Bedrock Edition as the server.
Compatibility Errors:
- Confirm that the server version matches the addon version.
- Some Marketplace addons may include features not supported by dedicated servers.
Corrupted World:
- Backup your world before installing addons. If the world becomes corrupted, restore it from the backup.
Missing Dependencies:
- Some addons require additional packs to function. Check the addon description in the Marketplace for dependencies and install them as needed.
File Corruption:
- If the addon files are corrupted during the download or upload process, the addon may not function correctly. Ensure a stable internet connection and verify the integrity of the files.
Server Configuration:
- Incorrect server settings can prevent addons from working. Double-check the server.properties file and the world settings.
Addon Bugs:
- Some addons may have bugs or issues that can affect gameplay. Check the addon's page on the Minecraft Marketplace for any known issues or updates.

Additional Notes

Addons purchased with Minecoins from the Minecraft store are designed to work across all platforms that run Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, but they may not be officially supported on personal, non-Realms servers. However, the steps above should help you install them on a dedicated server.
Always ensure that your server complies with Minecraft's End User License Agreement (EULA) to avoid potential issues.

Additional Resources

By following these steps, you can successfully install and run addons purchased with Minecoins on your Minecraft Bedrock dedicated server, enhancing the gameplay experience for you and your friends. Remember to always back up your world before making significant changes.