How to Install a .mcpack File: Step-by-Step Guide

What is a .mcpack file

A .mcpack is the official format for resource or behavior packs in Minecraft Bedrock Edition. It holds everything in a single pack: the manifest, textures, 3D models, sounds and JSON definition files. Technically it is a ZIP archive with a different extension. If you rename a .mcpack to .zip, you can open the file with any archiver and see the structure inside.

Mojang introduced the .mcpack format to make installing packs easier. Instead of copying folders by hand, you just double-click the file and Minecraft imports the pack into the right directory on its own. You can read more about the Bedrock modding system in our Bedrock add-ons guide.

Formats: .mcpack, .mcaddon, .mcworld, .zip

Before you start installing, it helps to know which format you are dealing with. Errors often come from mixing up file types.

Where to download a .mcpack

Always use trusted, legitimate sources. That keeps the risk of malware low and makes sure the pack matches your game version.

• Minecraft Marketplace - Mojang's built-in store, with automatic installation.
• CurseForge Bedrock (curseforge.com/minecraft-bedrock) - moderated packs from verified authors.
• Modrinth Bedrock - an independent open-source platform.
• mcbedrock.com - a pack aggregator that links to the original creators.
• Creators' own sites - Jigarbov, BlockWorks, Noxcrew.

Installing a .mcpack step by step (any platform)

The general process is the same on every device. Platform details follow below.

1. Download the file from a legitimate source. Make sure the extension is .mcpack and not .zip.
2. Double-click the file (or tap it on a phone). The system asks which app should open it.
3. Choose Minecraft. If the system already suggested it, move on.
4. Wait for the import. Minecraft launches and imports the pack. You will see the message "Successfully imported".
5. Activate the pack in the world settings (Behavior Packs / Resource Packs).
6. Start the world. The add-on works from the first moment.

Installing on Windows 10 / 11

Windows is the easiest platform: you open the .mcpack file directly in the game.

1. Download the .mcpack to your Downloads folder.
2. Open File Explorer and find the downloaded file.
3. Right-click → Open with → Minecraft (if the option doesn't appear, use "Choose another app").
4. Accept the User Account Control (UAC) prompt if it appears.
5. Minecraft launches and shows a message that the import succeeded.

Where the pack folder is on Windows

Since version 1.21.120 (October 2025), Minecraft on Windows runs on the new GDK platform and keeps its files in the %appdata% folder. The first time you launched that version, the game moved your data there from the old location. You will find installed packs in:

• Resource Packs: %appdata%\Minecraft Bedrock\Users\Shared\games\com.mojang\resource_packs\
• Behavior Packs: %appdata%\Minecraft Bedrock\Users\Shared\games\com.mojang\behavior_packs\

The game saves worlds and settings separately for each Microsoft account, in the folder %appdata%\Minecraft Bedrock\Users\<account ID>\games\com.mojang\. Minecraft Preview has its own folder, %appdata%\Minecraft Bedrock Preview\ (read more about that version in the Bedrock Preview article). The guide The com.mojang folder: where your worlds are describes what sits in each subfolder.

Paste the path into the File Explorer address bar or into the Run window (Win + R → paste → Enter). Each pack is a separate folder containing manifest.json and the pack's files.

In older versions of the game (before 1.21.120), which ran as a UWP app from the Microsoft Store, packs are in the old location:

• Resource Packs (old path, before 1.21.120): %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\resource_packs\
• Behavior Packs (old path, before 1.21.120): %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\behavior_packs\

Installing on Android

1. Download the .mcpack in Chrome or another browser.
2. Open the Files app or the download manager.
3. Tap the .mcpack file. The system offers "Open with Minecraft".
4. Minecraft launches, imports the pack and returns to the main menu.

Where the pack folder is on Android

Packs go into this folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/

This path applies when the "File Storage Location" setting in the game is set to "External". With "Application", the files sit in the app's internal storage, which a file manager can't show.

Inside you will find the subfolders resource_packs/ and behavior_packs/. On Android 11+, access to this folder is restricted, so use a file manager that supports Scoped Storage (for example Solid Explorer or Files by Google).

Installing on iOS / iPadOS

1. Download the .mcpack in Safari or open the attachment from Mail.
2. Safari asks whether to open the file in Minecraft. Confirm.
3. Minecraft launches and imports the pack.

Alternatively, use the Files app:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Find the downloaded .mcpack (in Downloads or iCloud).
3. Long press → Share → Minecraft.

Where the pack folder is on iOS

The game folder is visible in the Files app: On My iPhone (on iPad: On My iPad) → Minecraft → games → com.mojang. There you will find the resource_packs and behavior_packs subfolders with your installed packs.

Installing on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch

Consoles (Xbox One/Series, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch) support only packs from the Minecraft Marketplace. You can't install a .mcpack file downloaded in a browser, because the system simply doesn't recognize the extension.

Installing from the Marketplace on a console

1. Launch Minecraft on the console.
2. In the main menu, choose Marketplace.
3. Find the pack (filter by category: Skins, Texture Packs, Worlds, Mash-Ups).
4. Buy it with Minecoins or download a free pack.
5. The pack installs automatically and appears in the Behavior/Resource list.

Activating a pack in a world: World Settings

Installing a pack doesn't switch it on in the game. You have to activate it in a specific world. Here is how.

Activating in a new world

1. Main menu → Play → Create New World.
2. In the menu on the left: Behavior Packs or Resource Packs.
3. Pick the pack from the "My Packs" list.
4. Click Activate. The pack moves to the list of active packs.
5. If the add-on requires it, turn on Experimental Gameplay.
6. Click Create.

Activating in an existing world

1. Enter the world, then Pause → Settings.
2. Scroll to the Packs section.
3. Behavior Packs / Resource Packs → pick the pack → Activate.
4. Leave the world and enter it again so the pack loads.

Manual installation: extracting to the folder

If double-clicking doesn't work (for example Minecraft doesn't react or the system doesn't recognize .mcpack), you can install the pack by hand.

Windows 10 / 11

1. Change the .mcpack extension to .zip (click the file → Rename).
2. Extract the archive (right-click → Extract Here).
3. Paste the resulting folder into:
   %appdata%\Minecraft Bedrock\Users\Shared\games\com.mojang\resource_packs\
   (or behavior_packs\ for a Behavior Pack). In versions before 1.21.120, use the old path: %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang\resource_packs\.
4. Launch Minecraft. The pack appears in the list.

Android

1. Change the extension to .zip and extract it.
2. Paste the folder into /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/resource_packs/ or behavior_packs/.
3. If your file manager can't see the folder, give it SAF access to com.mojang.
4. Launch Minecraft.

iOS

The simplest way is to open the .mcpack file from the Files app and share it with Minecraft. You can also move the extracted pack folder in the Files app to On My iPhone → Minecraft → games → com.mojang → resource_packs (or behavior_packs).

Converting .mcpack to .zip (and back)

Since a .mcpack is just a ZIP with a different extension, converting it is trivial. It comes in handy in two situations:

• You want to extract a pack to look at its files or edit them.
• You have a pack folder and want to turn it into a .mcpack for distribution.

.mcpack → .zip (extracting)

1. Change the file extension from .mcpack to .zip.
2. Use any archiver (7-Zip, WinRAR, or the built-in ZIP support in Windows and macOS).
3. Extract to a folder.
4. Inside you will find manifest.json, textures, models and so on.

.zip → .mcpack (packing)

1. Start with a pack folder that has manifest.json at its root.
2. Select ALL the files inside (not the parent folder itself!).
3. Right-click → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder.
4. Change the extension from .zip to .mcpack.
5. Done. The file installs with a double-click.

Installing a .mcaddon bundle

A .mcaddon is a ZIP archive that contains several packs at once. Installation is identical to a .mcpack: double-click it. Minecraft extracts all the packs inside and adds them to the right lists (Behavior and Resource).

The structure of a typical .mcaddon:

• MyPackBP.mcpack (Behavior Pack)
• MyPackRP.mcpack (Resource Pack)

After installation you will see both packs in separate sections. In the world activation menu, turn on both so the add-on works properly: the Behavior Pack alone gives you new mobs without textures, and the Resource Pack alone is just an empty reskin.

Installing a .mcworld world

A .mcworld is an export of a complete world, often with add-ons already activated. It is ideal for distributing adventure maps, minigames or theme parks.

1. Download the .mcworld from a legitimate source.
2. Double-click the file → Minecraft starts the import.
3. After a moment the world appears in the Worlds list (Play → Worlds).
4. Click the world's name to enter it.

A .mcworld world is independent of your other worlds, because it is a separate copy. You can edit, copy and delete it without affecting anything else you play.

Common errors and fixes

"Failed to import pack"

The most common message. Causes:

• Version mismatch - the pack needs a newer Minecraft. Update the game through the Microsoft Store, Google Play, the App Store or your console's store.
• Corrupted file - download it again, preferably from a different source.
• Invalid manifest - report it to the author. You can check it yourself by opening the file as a .zip and looking at manifest.json.
• UUID conflict - a pack with the same UUID already exists. Remove the old version before installing.

"Pack already imported"

A pack with the same UUID has already been installed. Remove it from the "My Packs" list and try again.

"Required pack missing"

The add-on needs another pack as a dependency, and you don't have it installed. Check the pack's description: the author should list which packs are required. Install those first.

"Out of memory" / the game freezes

Too many active packs, textures that are too high-resolution for a weak device, or a lag spike. Restart the game, lower the Render Distance and deactivate packs you don't need. On weaker hardware, see our guide on how to increase FPS.

The pack doesn't work even though it's activated

Most often Experimental Gameplay isn't turned on. Open the world settings, tick Experimental, then leave the world and enter it again. This applies to add-ons with custom blocks, items and scripts.

Double-clicking doesn't launch Minecraft

The system doesn't have .mcpack associated with Minecraft. Right-click → Open with → Choose another app → Minecraft → tick "Always use this app". On Windows 11 you sometimes also need to update the game to the latest version.

The .mcpack won't import on a console

Consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch) don't support outside .mcpack files. You have to get the pack from the Marketplace. This is a platform limitation, not a Minecraft one.

Pack order and priority

When several active packs change the same element, Minecraft follows a "top pack wins" rule. A pack higher in the list overrides a pack lower down.

A practical example: you activate Faithful 32x and a pack that changes only the pickaxe texture. If the second one is higher, you will see its pickaxe and the rest of the blocks from Faithful. Change the order with the arrows (Windows/console) or by dragging (mobile).

How to remove a pack

Removing a pack is just as easy as installing one.

Windows / console

1. Main menu → Settings → Global Resources or Global Behavior.
2. Find the pack in the "My Packs" list.
3. Click the trash icon → Confirm.

Android / iOS

1. Open the same pack list.
2. Swipe the pack to the left and a Delete button appears.
3. Tap Delete.

Manual removal

On Windows / Android you can also delete the pack's folder directly from resource_packs/ or behavior_packs/. Minecraft stops seeing it after a restart.

FAQ: Java, .zip, creating a .mcpack

Does .mcpack work in Minecraft Java Edition?

No. Java Edition uses a completely different pack format (a plain .zip placed in the resourcepacks/ folder). A .mcpack file is useless in Java. If you want texture packs for Java, see texture packs.

How do I make a .mcpack file from a folder?

Zip the contents of the folder (the files with manifest.json at the root, not the folder itself!), then change the .zip extension to .mcpack. Done.

How do I extract a .mcpack?

Change the extension to .zip and use any archiver. It's a plain ZIP, nothing more.

Can I have multiple packs active at once?

Yes, with no numeric limit. Keep the order in mind: the upper packs override the lower ones. Too many heavy packs can strain your device.

Can I install packs on a pirated copy of Minecraft?

We don't support piracy. Pirated launchers (Aptoide, cracked versions) break Mojang's terms of service, give you no access to the Marketplace and Realms, and most of them contain malware. See also Minecraft for free for legal ways to try the game.

Why doesn't the pack show up in the menu even though I installed it?

Most often the manifest.json is missing or invalid. Open the .mcpack as a .zip, check that manifest.json is at the root of the archive and that it has a valid UUID and format_version. If it does, try a different version of the pack.

Can I install packs offline?

Yes. Double-clicking a .mcpack doesn't need internet. The only exception is Marketplace packs, which are downloaded online.

What is a Minecoin?

A Minecoin is Mojang's virtual currency for buying content in the Marketplace. 1,000 Minecoins cost about $5. Buy them only through the official Minecraft Marketplace or the Microsoft Store.