The Two Ways to Import Add-Ons in Minecraft Bedrock
You can import add-ons into Minecraft Bedrock on PC through two methods: dragging files directly into the game launcher, or placing them in your Minecraft storage folder and importing them from within the game. The fastest route is usually the drag-and-drop method if you have a .mcaddon file. If you have a folder of loose files or a .zip, you'll need to use the storage folder method instead.
Both methods work, but they depend on what format your add-on came in. Most add-ons you read will be either a single .mcaddon file (which the launcher recognizes when ready) or a folder structure that needs to go into a specific location on your computer. Knowing which one you have saves you from troubleshooting later.
Key Takeaways
- .mcaddon files can be dragged directly onto the Minecraft launcher window, and the game will import them automatically.
- Loose folders or .zip files must be placed in your Minecraft storage folder at %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang before the game recognizes them.
- Behavior packs and resource packs go into separate folders within your storage directory, so placing them in the wrong location means they won't show up in-game.
- After importing an add-on, you must set up it in the world creation settings before it takes effect in a new world.
- If an add-on doesn't appear after import, check that the folder structure inside matches what Minecraft expects: a manifest.json file at the top level.
Importing .mcaddon Files Using Drag-and-Drop
If your add-on is a single .mcaddon file, the simplest method is to drag it directly into the Minecraft launcher. Open your file explorer and locate the .mcaddon file wherever you downloaded it. Then open the Minecraft launcher in a separate window so both are visible on your screen.
Click and hold the .mcaddon file, then drag it over the Minecraft launcher window and release. The launcher will recognize the file and begin importing it. You should see a notification confirming the import, and the add-on will appear in your packs list within seconds. This method works only for .mcaddon files—if you have a .zip or a folder, you'll need the storage folder method instead.
Finding and Using Your Minecraft Storage Folder
If you have a .zip file or a folder of loose add-on files, you need to place them in your Minecraft storage folder first. Open File Explorer and paste this path into the address bar: %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\com.mojang. Press Enter, and Windows will take you directly to the folder.
Inside this folder, you'll see several directories: behavior_packs, resource_packs, worlds, and others. This is where Minecraft stores everything related to your game. Do not move or rename these folders—the game expects them to be exactly as they are. If the folder path doesn't exist on your computer, your Minecraft installation may be in a different location; check that you installed Minecraft Bedrock from the Microsoft Store, not from another source.
Placing Behavior Packs in the Correct Folder
Behavior packs control how the game works—they change mob behavior, add new items, modify crafting recipes, or alter game mechanics. These must go into the behavior_packs folder inside your Minecraft storage directory. If your add-on is a .zip file, extract it first by right-clicking and selecting "Extract All," then move the resulting folder into behavior_packs.
The folder inside behavior_packs should contain a manifest.json file at the top level. If you open the folder and see another folder inside it first, you've nested it too deep—move the inner folder up one level so the manifest.json is directly visible. After placing the folder, close and reopen Minecraft. The behavior pack should appear in your packs list under the Behavior Packs section.
Placing Resource Packs in the Correct Folder
Resource packs change how the game looks—textures, sounds, UI elements, and animations. These go into the resource_packs folder, not the behavior_packs folder. The process is identical: extract any .zip files, then move the folder into resource_packs. Again, the manifest.json file should be at the top level of the folder you place there.
Resource packs and behavior packs are separate, and a single add-on may include both. If your add-on came as a single folder with both types inside, you may need to separate them into their respective folders. Check the add-on's documentation or look inside the folder structure to see if there are separate behavior_packs and resource_packs directories within it. If so, move each into its matching folder in your Minecraft storage directory.
Activating Add-Ons When Creating a New World
Importing an add-on into Minecraft doesn't automatically turn it on. You must set up it when you create a new world. Open Minecraft and click "Create New" to start a new world. On the world creation screen, scroll down to the "Add-Ons" section. You'll see tabs for Behavior Packs and Resource Packs.
Click the Behavior Packs tab and you should see your imported behavior pack listed. Click it to select it, then click the arrow or toggle to move it into the "Active" column on the right. Do the same for any resource packs. Once both are active, finish creating your world. The add-ons will take effect when ready when you spawn in. If you don't see your add-on listed, go back and check that the folder is in the correct location and that the manifest.json file is at the top level.
Troubleshooting Add-Ons That Don't Appear
If you've placed an add-on in the correct folder but it doesn't show up in Minecraft, the most common cause is an incorrect folder structure. Open the folder you placed in behavior_packs or resource_packs and look for the manifest.json file. It should be visible when ready when you open the folder. If you see another folder first, you've nested it one level too deep—move the inner folder up and delete the outer one.
Another common issue is a corrupted or incomplete .zip extraction. If you extracted a .zip file and the folder looks empty or incomplete, try extracting it again to a different location, then move the folder to the correct Minecraft directory. You can also try removing the add-on folder entirely, restarting Minecraft, and then placing the add-on back in. Sometimes Minecraft needs a fresh start to recognize new packs.
If the add-on still doesn't appear, check that you're looking in the right place. Behavior packs show up under Behavior Packs in the world creation screen, and resource packs show up under Resource Packs. If you placed a behavior pack in the resource_packs folder by mistake, it won't appear in the Behavior Packs tab. Move it to the correct folder and restart Minecraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use add-ons in an existing world?
No. Add-ons must be activated when you create a new world. If you want to use an add-on, you'll need to start a fresh world and set up the packs during world creation. Existing worlds cannot have new add-ons added to them after they're created.
What's the difference between a .mcaddon file and a folder?
.mcaddon files are compressed packages that the launcher can import directly. Folders are the uncompressed version. Both contain the same add-on, but .mcaddon files are easier to share and import. If you have a folder, you can compress it into a .zip and then rename the .zip to .mcaddon, though this isn't necessary—you can import the folder directly through the storage folder method.
Why does my add-on appear in the list but won't set up?
This usually means the add-on has a compatibility issue with your version of Minecraft. Check the add-on's documentation to see what version of Minecraft it requires. If your game is older than the add-on's minimum version, you may need to update Minecraft. You can also try removing the add-on, restarting Minecraft, and importing it again.
Can I use multiple behavior packs or resource packs at the same time?
Yes. You can set up multiple behavior packs and multiple resource packs in the same world. During world creation, add as many as you want to the Active column. If two packs conflict (for example, both trying to change the same texture), the one higher in the list takes priority.
Do I need to restart my computer after importing an add-on?
No. You only need to close and reopen Minecraft. Restarting your computer is not necessary and won't help if the add-on still doesn't appear.