A Minecraft map is just a world folder. Installing one means putting that folder where Minecraft looks for worlds. This guide covers Java Edition on Windows, macOS and Linux, plus servers and Realms.
Install a map in singleplayer
- Download and unzip the map. Extract the .zip file. You get a folder with the world inside.
- Find the world folder. Open the extracted files until you see the folder that directly contains
level.datand aregionfolder. That folder is the world. - Open your saves folder. Launch Minecraft, click Singleplayer, select any world and click Edit, then Open World Folder, and go up one level. Or open it directly (paths below).
- Copy the world in. Copy the world folder into the
savesfolder. - Play. Restart Minecraft or reopen Singleplayer. The map appears in your world list.
Tip: make a copy of the world before you start playing. If anything goes wrong you can always start over from the untouched copy.
Where the saves folder is
- Windows: press
Windows + R, type%appdata%\.minecraft\savesand press Enter. - macOS: in Finder choose Go, then Go to Folder, and enter
~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/saves. - Linux:
~/.minecraft/saves
Using a launcher like Prism, MultiMC or CurseForge? Each instance has its own saves folder inside the instance's .minecraft (or minecraft) folder.
Install a map on your own server
- Stop the server.
- Upload the world folder (the one with
level.datin it) to the server's main folder, next toserver.properties. - Open
server.propertiesand setlevel-name=to the exact folder name, for examplelevel-name=Clarintia. - Start the server. It loads the new world instead of generating one.
Hosting companies usually let you upload through their file manager or FTP. Upload the folder itself, or upload the .zip and use the host's "unzip" option.
Install a map on Realms
- First install the map in singleplayer (see above) and open it once.
- In Minecraft go to Minecraft Realms and click Configure on your Realm.
- Choose Reset World, then Upload World, and pick the map. This replaces the world in that slot, so download a backup of your Realm first if you want to keep it.
Map not showing up? Common fixes
The world is one folder too deep
The most common problem. If your saves folder contains MyMap/MyMap/level.dat, Minecraft can't see it. Move the inner folder up so level.dat sits directly inside the world folder.
You copied the .zip instead of the folder
Minecraft can't read zip files. Extract the zip first and copy the folder that comes out of it.
Wrong Minecraft version
Every map page lists the version it's made for, like "1.20+". Play it on that version or newer. Opening a world in an older version than it was made for isn't supported and can break it. When Minecraft asks whether you've made a backup before opening a world from another version, it's worth doing.
The world runs slowly
Large maps (8,000 blocks and up) have a lot to load. Lower your render distance, and consider a performance mod such as Sodium.
Very tall or very deep terrain looks cut off
Some maps go beyond Minecraft's normal build height and come with a built-in datapack that raises the limits. Keep the world's datapacks folder as it came, and don't remove the datapack.
Playing on Bedrock?
CardyCraft maps are built for Java Edition. Some are marked Bedrock compatible on their page. If you play Bedrock, ask in our Discord before buying and we'll help you get set up.
Where do CardyCraft downloads come from?
Free maps only need a free account: sign in and download them from their page. Subscription and store maps appear in your Library once you have access. Download links are single-use for safety, and you can make a new one from your Library any time.