Understanding Minecraft Bedrock Addons

Minecraft Bedrock Edition utilizes a system of addons to enhance gameplay, which are primarily categorized as Resource Packs and Behavior Packs. Resource Packs modify the game's visual and auditory aspects, such as textures, sounds, and user interface elements. Behavior Packs, on the other hand, alter the game's mechanics, including entity behaviors, world generation, and crafting recipes. These addons are crucial for customizing the Minecraft Bedrock experience, including on Realms.

File Structure and the com.mojang Folder

The core directory for Minecraft Bedrock Edition data, including addons, is the com.mojang folder. This folder is consistent across different platforms, although its exact location varies depending on the operating system. It is important to note that this folder is distinct from the .minecraft folder used by the Java Edition of Minecraft. The com.mojang folder contains subfolders for resource packs, behavior packs, and world data, including those used in Realms.

Specific File Paths by Platform

The location of the com.mojang folder and its subfolders varies across different platforms. Here are the detailed file paths for each:

Windows 10/11

On Windows, the com.mojang folder is located within the application's data directory. The specific paths are:

• Resource Packs:
  C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\resource_packs
• Behavior Packs:
  C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\behavior_packs
• Worlds (including Realms):
  C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\minecraftWorlds

To access these folders, you can use the following steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type %LocalAppData% and press Enter.
3. Navigate to Packages > Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe > LocalState > games > com.mojang.
4. Open the respective folder (resource_packs, behavior_packs, or minecraftWorlds).

Android

On Android devices, the com.mojang folder is located in the internal storage. The specific paths are:

• Resource Packs:
  /storage/emulated/0/games/com.mojang/resource_packs
• Behavior Packs:
  /storage/emulated/0/games/com.mojang/behavior_packs
• Worlds (including Realms):
  /storage/emulated/0/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds

To access these folders, you can use the following steps:

1. Open a file manager app (e.g., Files by Google or ES File Explorer).
2. Navigate to Internal Storage > games > com.mojang.
3. Locate the resource_packs or behavior_packs folder.

iOS

On iOS devices, accessing the file system is more restricted. However, using a file management app like iExplorer or iMazing on a PC/Mac can help. The specific paths are:

• Resource Packs:
  /games/com.mojang/resource_packs
• Behavior Packs:
  /games/com.mojang/behavior_packs
• Worlds (including Realms):
  /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds

To access these folders, you can use the following steps:

1. Connect your iOS device to a PC or Mac.
2. Use a file management app (e.g., iExplorer) to navigate to the Minecraft directory.
3. Locate the com.mojang folder.

Consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)

On consoles, addons are not directly accessible through the file system. Instead, they are managed through the in-game marketplace or imported via external tools (e.g., USB drives for Xbox). Addons applied to Realms are uploaded to the server and distributed automatically. The local files for these addons are not directly accessible on the console itself.

Installing Addons for Realms

Installing addons for Realms involves a few key steps. Addons are typically distributed as .mcpack or .mcaddon files, which are essentially compressed archives containing the necessary files for the addon. Here's how to install them:

Step 1: Download the Addon

Download the .mcpack or .mcaddon file from a trusted source, such as MCPEDL or the Minecraft Marketplace. Ensure the addon is compatible with your version of Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

Step 2: Import the Addon

Double-click the .mcpack or .mcaddon file. This action will automatically open Minecraft Bedrock Edition and import the addon into the game. The addon files will be placed in the appropriate subfolders within the com.mojang directory.

Step 3: Apply the Addon to a Realm

1. Open Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
2. Navigate to the Play menu and select your Realm.
3. Click Edit (pencil icon) next to your Realm.
4. Go to Behavior Packs or Resource Packs.
5. Select the imported addon and activate it.
6. Save the changes and upload the updated Realm.

Once the addon is activated and the Realm is updated, the addon will be applied to the Realm, and all players who join will experience the changes.

Managing Addons Directly via File System

While the primary method for installing addons is through the .mcpack or .mcaddon files, you can also manage addons directly by placing them in the appropriate subfolders within the com.mojang directory. This method is useful for developers or users who want more control over their addons. The subfolders are:

• development_behavior_packs: For behavior packs under development.
• development_resource_packs: For resource packs under development.
• behavior_packs: For installed behavior packs.
• resource_packs: For installed resource packs.

When placing addons directly, ensure that the addon folder contains a manifest.json file, which is essential for Minecraft to recognize the addon. After placing the addon files, restart Minecraft to load the changes.

Realms and Addon Storage

When you apply addons to a Realm, the addon files are uploaded to Mojang's servers and distributed to all players who join the Realm. However, the original addon files are still stored locally on your device within the com.mojang directory. This means that even if you remove an addon from your Realm, the files will remain on your local device unless you manually delete them.

Troubleshooting Addons

If you encounter issues with addons, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Addon Not Showing Up: Ensure the addon is placed in the correct folder (resource_packs or behavior_packs). Also, verify that the addon is compatible with your version of Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
• Corrupted Addon: Re-download the addon from a trusted source.
• Realm Not Updating: Make sure you have sufficient permissions to edit the Realm settings. Also, ensure that the addon is properly activated in the Realm settings.
• File Structure Issues: Ensure that the addon folder contains a manifest.json file and that the folder structure is correct. Behavior Packs and Resource Packs must include a manifest.json file.

Additional Resources

For more detailed guides and troubleshooting, refer to the following official and community resources:

• Minecraft Help Center
• Bedrock.dev Documentation
• MCPEDL Addon Repository
• Microsoft Learn: Getting Started With Minecraft Add-Ons
• Games Learning Society: Where Are the Minecraft Bedrock Edition Files Located?
• Minecraft Realms FAQ
• Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft
• MC-Addons - Minecraft Bedrock Addons

Conclusion

Minecraft Bedrock Realms addons are installed and managed through a combination of file system access and in-game settings. The addons are stored within the com.mojang folder, which is located in different directories depending on the platform. Understanding these file paths and the process of importing and activating addons is crucial for customizing your Minecraft Bedrock experience, including on Realms. While consoles do not allow direct file access, addons are managed through the in-game interface and uploaded to the Realm server. By following the steps outlined above and referring to the provided resources, you can effectively manage and troubleshoot Minecraft Bedrock Realms addons across various platforms.