Introduction

In this article, we'll guide you through adding addons to your Vanilla Bedrock (BDS) server. This guide can also be applied to any other server software that supports addons.

⬇️ Downloading the Addon ⬇️

We'll use a backpack addon from mcpedl.com for this tutorial.



⚠️ Download addons only from trusted sites like mcpedl. Be sure to skip the ads and avoid downloading anything other than the pack itself (usually a MediaFire link).

Note: Addons come in three different formats:
- .mcaddon: Contains both the resource pack and behavior pack files, which can be directly imported into Minecraft.
- .mcpack: Can be either a resource pack or behavior pack file, directly importable into Minecraft.
- .zip: Contains the resource pack/behavior pack folder compressed and needs to be extracted manually to games/resource_packs or games/behavior_packs.

➕ Adding the Addon to Your Server ➕

.mcaddon and .mcpack

Simply double-click the file to open it in Minecraft and add it to the game's files.



The files we need will be located at:
C:\Users\(your_pc_username)\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\ in the behavior_packs and resource_packs folders. To easily navigate to this location, press Windows + R, paste this directory into the dialog, and replace your_pc_username with your actual username.

.zip File Type

Right-click the ZIP file.
Click "Extract All."
The files we need will most likely be located at C:\Users\(your_pc_username)\Downloads.

⚙️ Method 1: Configuring It Directly for Your Server (Recommended) ⚙️

From your addon's files, upload the resource pack folder (if applicable) to your server's resource_packs folder using SFTP.



From your addon's files, upload the behavior pack folder (if applicable) to your server's behavior_packs folder using SFTP.



Open your server world folder (default named Bedrock level) in the worlds folder and create two new files named world_resource_packs.json and world_behavior_packs.json. Only create these files if they don't already exist. Create the necessary files based on whether your addon has a resource/behavior pack.



In each of these files, add the following text:

[
  {
    "pack_id" : "UUID HERE",
    "version" : [version, number, here]
  }
]

Open the manifest.json file in your addon's resource pack folder (if applicable).



Copy the UUID and version from the header section and paste them into your server's world_resource_packs.json file under pack_id and version.



Repeat the process for the behavior pack (if applicable). Copy the UUID and version from the manifest.json in the behavior pack folder to your server's world_behavior_packs.json file under pack_id and version.

Save the files. Restart the server, and your addon should be working!

🗺️ Method 2: Uploading via a World 🗺️

First, import the addon to a new world on your Minecraft Bedrock client, then export the world to your server.

Creating a World with the Imported Addons

Create a new world and enable Creative Mode, Show Coordinates, Holiday Creator Features, Enable Gametest Framework, Experimental Mojang Features.



Add the resource pack and behavior pack of the addon and create the world.

Note: If your addon was in ZIP form, move the folders inside (there should be a behavior pack and/or a resource pack folder) from your downloads folder to
C:\Users\(your_pc_username)\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\ in the behavior_packs and resource_packs folders.

Exporting the World to Your Server

Follow this guide to export your world: How to Upload a Custom World to your Server and use SFTP to transfer the file.


Having problems? Ensure your addon is compatible with your server's version and that the addon is in the form of a folder within your server files (not a folder inside a folder).

IMPORTANT: When updating your server, also update your addons to avoid world corruption. If you encounter other issues, don't hesitate to open a live chat for assistance!

Updated on: 30/05/2024