How To Download And Install Minecraft For Free In The App Store On A Android

Playing Minecraft is a fantastic way to explore your creativity. But after a while, the game can start to feel a little stale.

One way that players resolve this issue is by installing new Minecraft maps. These maps are easy to find, and they make playing Minecraft feel fresh again.

This guide will show you the best places to download Minecraft maps and how to install them.

What Are Minecraft Maps?

Minecraft maps are basically the same as Minecraft worlds: custom virtual environments made by in-game players. These maps can be anything from a pixel-art statue to a parkour challenge. They can even take the form of an entire city.

And once players create a new Minecraft map, they can share their creation with the community. In addition, importing these maps allows users to explore the designs of other community members.

How to Download Minecraft Maps

First, you'll need to determine which version of Minecraft you have. Java maps will not load on Bedrock versions of the software and vice versa. Once you've verified your version, you can download maps from the websites listed below. Maps also come in one of two file formats: .zip or .mcworld.

.zip file: .zip files are used to share maps created in the Java edition of Minecraft. The .zip file contains the assets related to loading the map in-game. Bedrock editions of the game (Windows 10, iOS, Android) also formerly used .zip files. A great source for these maps is the Minecraft Maps website.
.mcworld file: The .mcworld extension stores all map-related assets in a single file. To install a .mcworld map, double-click it. You can find .mcworld maps on the MCPEDL fan site, along with skins, seeds, texture packs, and mods specifically for Minecraft.

Now that you've downloaded your new maps, it's time to install them.

How to Install Minecraft Maps on Windows (Java)

To use your new map file, you'll need to place it in the correct directory. The location will vary based on your Minecraft version. For the Windows Java version:

Extract the .zip file you've downloaded.
Copy the map folder by highlighting it and pressing Ctrl + C on your keyboard.
On your keyboard, press Win + R to open the Windows Run app.
In the text box, type %appdata%. Then, press Enter to open the C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming directory.
In the Roaming directory, find the folder labeled .minecraft. Inside, you'll find a folder labeled saves. This folder is where Minecraft stores its maps.
Open the saves folder and paste the map folder inside. That's it!

Alternate Method

If you want to avoid using the Run app, you can also access the Minecraft saves folder through the Minecraft Launcher. Here's how: First, copy the map folder as before.

Open Minecraft Launcher.
Under Minecraft: Java Edition, click the Installations tab.
Hover over Latest Release and click the folder icon to open the Minecraft installation directory.
Navigate to the saves folder.
Paste the map folder.

To explore your downloaded world, launch Minecraft in single-player mode. You should see your map. Click the map to load it. Once everything loads, start exploring!

How to Install Minecraft Maps on Windows 10 (Bedrock)

You can easily install custom maps on all Bedrock editions of Minecraft by using .mcworld archives. Double-click the .mcworld file to open Minecraft with the new map loaded.

For older files that use the .zip extension, you'll have to extract them and manually move the contents to the minecraftWorlds folder.

Extract the downloaded zip file.
Copy the folder you just unpacked.
Open File Explorer.

Copy the address below and paste it into the Quick access bar. Press Enter.

              %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang

This command opens the Minecraft installation directory.
Open the minecraftWorlds folder.
Paste your map folder, and you should be all set!

How to Install Minecraft Maps on Mac

Just like the Windows Java Edition, to install Minecraft maps on macOS, you'll have to move the map files to the Minecraft saves folder. Start by downloading the .zip file for your map as before. The new map will appear in the single-player menu as a new world. Now you can explore your freshly downloaded Minecraft map.

Extract the map folder from the archive.
Copy the map folder.
Open Minecraft Launcher.
Go to the Installations tab.
Hover over Latest Release and click the folder icon to open the Minecraft installation directory.
Navigate to the saves folder.
Paste the map folder inside the saves folder.

How to Install Minecraft Maps on Android (Bedrock)

Installing Minecraft maps on Android is also simple with the new .mcworld extension. All you need to do is open the map file, and it should automatically launch in Minecraft. Older Minecraft maps, on the other hand, might use the traditional .zip format. To install these, you'll have to unpack them and paste them into the minecraftWorlds folder. Here's how:

Open the Files by Google app on your Android device.
Navigate to your Minecraft map .zip file.
Click on the .zip file and select Extract. You should now see a folder containing the Minecraft map.
Copy the Minecraft map folder.
Navigate to the root directory and then to games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds.
Paste the map folder, and you're done!

Alternatively, you could also connect your Android phone to your computer via USB to move the map files from your computer to the minecraftWorlds folder.

Download: Files by Google for Android (Free)

How to Install Minecraft Maps on iOS (Bedrock)

Image Credit: Improvisor / Shutterstock.com

Like other Bedrock editions, if your downloaded map uses the .mcworld extension, all you have to do is run it, and Minecraft should load the new map. However, if you have an older map in a .zip format, you'll need to convert it to a .mcworld file. Here's how:

First, you'll need to download Documents by Readdle from the iOS store. Once installed, open the Files app and tap your downloaded .zip file.
Documents should prompt you for an unzip location. Choose any location you like.
Once unzipped, open the extracted map folder, and select all folders inside using the checkmark in the upper left corner of the screen. You must select all of them, or this process won't work.
Next, tap More at the lower right of your screen.
Tap Compress to compress these files into an Archive. Once the archive has finished, deselect everything. Then, tap the check box next to the Archive file and tap Rename at the bottom of the screen.
Rename the file, using .mcworld to replace the .zip extension (Archive.mcworld, for example). Documents will ask you to verify this change. Do so. Tap Done when you are finished.
Next, tap the .mcworld file you just created. Then tap Open in another app and select Minecraft. The new world should load—tap Play.
Under the Worlds heading, you should see your new map! Tap it, and you're done.

Download: Documents for iOS (Free, in-app purchases)

Explore Other Worlds in Minecraft

If Minecraft has lost a little bit of its sparkle for you, new maps can make it feel exciting again. By downloading and installing maps, you can enjoy the creativity of other Minecraft players. And if you build your own masterpiece, consider sharing it with the community so others can enjoy your custom creation.

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