Tutorial: Installing Data Packs
Java Edition only.
Getting a Data Pack
Download one or make your own. A recognized pack (folder or zip) has pack.mcmeta at its first level (the only required file), plus optional pack.png (icon) and data/<namespace>/.... If the game doesn't recognize it, the pack is probably wrapped in an extra directory layer.
Single-Player
At World Creation
- "Create New World" → "More" → "Data Packs".
- Drag the pack file into the window ("Yes"); or use "Open Pack Folder" to add/remove several. Arrows reorder selection/priority; arrows on selected packs unselect them.
- If the pack doesn't appear, check the file layer and
pack.mcmetavalidity. "Incompatible" warnings don't necessarily break the pack — actual loading depends on content/structure vs the current version. - "Done".
Troubleshooting: "unable to verify" usually means missing key content (often tags) — keep the vanilla pack loaded or ensure the pack includes the required content; don't remove the vanilla pack to strip vanilla advancements/recipes (use dedicated packs). World-creation errors often come from custom-dimension/worldgen packs — remove and report to the author; check mods in modded environments.
Into an Existing World
Not recommended for dimension/worldgen packs (they may not work). Steps: select the world → "Edit" → "Open World Folder" → open datapacks/ → drop the pack in. Re-enter the world. Verify with /datapack list enabled (cheats on; listed in priority order). Note: successful loading only means pack.mcmeta was read, not that all registrations loaded.
Multiplayer
- Open the server folder →
world/→datapacks/, drop the pack in. - It loads at the next server start (highest priority).
- On a running server:
/reload(console or ≥3 permission level); confirm with/datapack list enabled(console or ≥2).