Minecraft Save File Missing: How to Recover Your Minecraft Save Files

Building a world in Minecraft takes time – lots of it. You should invest a lot of effort into the game to be happy with the results – sometimes even hundreds of hours. This is why it's so frustrating to realize that your Minecraft save is lost.

"Minecraft" is a 3D computer game playable on both Windows and Mac, in which players can build anything they want. The game involves gathering resources, crafting items, constructing buildings, and engaging in battles across various locations and terrains, earning it the nickname "virtual Legos." Set in a virtual world, the gameplay centers around activities such as resource gathering, production, construction, and combat.

However, you might lose Microsoft game saves because of the following:

• Program errors
• Computer power interruptions
• Incompatible software
• System crashes, etc.

How to store Minecraft game files: 1. **Game Directory**: On your computer, Minecraft game files are typically stored in a specific folder. For Windows users, this is usually `C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft`. On a Mac, it's located at `~/Library/Application Support/minecraft`, and on Linux systems, you can find it at `~/.minecraft`. 2. **Resource Packs and Saves**: Within this directory, the most important folder is `saves`, which contains all your game saves. Each save is a separate folder with data related to that world, such as blocks, entities, and item locations. 3. **Configuration Files**: The `options.txt` file stores your game settings, including video and sound options. The `resourcepacks` and `behavior_packs` folders hold the resource packs and behavior packs you have installed. 4. **.jar File**: Minecraft's main executable file is `.minecraft/bin/minecraft.jar`, an archive containing the game's code and other resources. However, in modern versions, the game uses a program called the "Launcher" to manage these files, so you might not see the `.jar` file directly. 5. **Version Updates**: When Mojang (the developer of Minecraft) releases new updates, they are automatically downloaded and stored within the game directory to keep your game up to date. 6. **Backups**: To protect against accidental loss of progress, it's recommended to back up your game saves regularly. You can manually copy the `saves` folder or use third-party tools to automate the backup process. 7. **Cloud Storage**: Some players opt to sync their game files using cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, allowing easy access and backup across different devices. Keep in mind that this information applies to vanilla Minecraft. If you're using versions with mods or tools like Forge, the storage structure may vary.

Depending on your device, your Minecraft save files might be located in a different spot on your drive. For example, Minecraft save files are usually stored locally on a Windows computer. However, PlayStation users with a PlayStation Plus subscription may have a world saved to the cloud.

Here's how many blocks each device can store for a Minecraft world: 1. Java Edition (PC/Mac): - Default worlds: Around 30,000,000 blocks in each dimension (Overworld, Nether, and End). - With custom world borders, the limit can be extended up to approximately 60,000,000 blocks. 2. Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, mobile devices, consoles): - Worlds are divided into sections called "chunks," each being 16x16 blocks in width and length. - The world size is limited by available storage space, as chunks are loaded and saved as needed. - In practice, you can have a very large world, but it's not defined by a set block limit. 3. Minecraft Realms: - Realm sizes vary depending on the platform and subscription plan. - For Bedrock Edition, the maximum size is usually around 4,000 chunks or approximately 10,000,000 blocks. - For Java Edition, realms can be quite large, with limits based on player count and server performance. Remember that these numbers are approximate and subject to change with updates and different devices' capabilities. The actual size of your Minecraft world will depend on factors like the number of structures, entities, and player modifications.

• Windows: C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\saves
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Minecraft
• Android: /Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/
• iPhone: /On My iPhone/Minecraft/games/com.mojang/

The device you're using determines where Minecraft worlds are saved and can be retrieved from. For example, in the Windows 10 edition of Minecraft, you can recover deleted game files by right-clicking the "Saves" folder and selecting "Restore previous versions." Keep reading to learn more about recovering Minecraft world resources.

Two Best Ways to Recover Deleted Minecraft Worlds on Windows 10

This article will be of great help for Minecraft data recovery. You can recover deleted Minecraft worlds from the local folder with a program or use a Minecraft game data recovery tool.

You may find that your game or progress is missing, but generally, Minecraft save files are not easily recoverable. Let's look at how to fix a lost Minecraft save.

How to Resolve Lost Minecraft Save Files on Windows

Due to a corrupted file, your Minecraft world can independently disappear, which has been an issue for years. If this happens, it doesn't necessarily mean that your save file is gone forever. Here, we've prepared two methods to recover your Minecraft save.

Method 1: Recovering Your Minecraft World with Data Recovery Software

The best way to recover deleted files on a computer is by using data recovery software. A powerful tool called tools Data Recovery Wizard is specifically designed to restore corrupted, damaged, or lost game saves and progress files. It offers gamers a simple and comprehensive solution to retrieve data lost due to accidental errors, system failures, or other reasons.

If your lost Minecraft files are less than 2 GB, you can immediately attempt recovery with free data recovery software. You can download the trial version by clicking the button below to ensure that the desired files are previewable.

- ? It can recover lost PC game data, including popular titles like Genshin Impact, Hogwarts Legacy, Atomic Heart, and Elden Ring. - ?️ It assists in restoring deleted game files from PCs, external hard drives, SSDs, SD cards, and numerous other storage devices. - ? Utilizing sophisticated algorithms ensures swift analysis and recovery, allowing users to regain access to corrupted files promptly.

You can recover deleted Minecraft game files saved on Windows in three steps:

Step 1: Select the exact location from where you want to recover files and click on the “Scan” button to proceed.

Step 2: After the scan is complete, select the “Deleted Files” and “Other Lost Files” folders on the left. You can then use the “Filter” feature or click the “Search for files or folders” button to look for your deleted files.

Step 3. Click the “Recover” button and save the recovered files to a different location (ideally).

Fix 2: Recover Minecraft Save from Hidden Folders

If you had previously backed up your game data, then the recovery process would be straightforward in case of losing data after a Minecraft update. However, you can still attempt to recover deleted Minecraft worlds on Windows without a backup from the hidden folders. Check out how to recover deleted Minecraft worlds without a backup.

If the lost game files are stored on your computer's hard drive, they might be hiding in a subfolder within another folder. If so, you'll need to open the secret Minecraft folder to retrieve your saved games.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.

Step 2: Type %appdata% in the Windows Run dialog box, and press Enter.

Step 3 . Open the %appdata%\.minecraft\saves folder. This is where your game saves worlds. Each Minecraft world has its own individual folder.

Step 4 Open the Minecraft save file folder that you want to restore.

5. Right-click in the empty space and select “Properties”.

Step 6. Click on the “Previous Versions” tab to view the list of all deleted Minecraft world folders.

Step 7. Click “Restore” to put them back.

Step 8: Start up Minecraft, click "Options," and your newly-restored world should be there.

Next up, just translate this into American English: ""

If any of these methods work for fixing your lost Minecraft saves, be sure to share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms!

How to Recover Missing Minecraft Saves on a Mac

If you're on a Mac, the process is slightly more complicated. By default, macOS hides any files that an average Mac user is unlikely to need access to, including Minecraft saves. As such, to check and restore any missing Minecraft saves, you'll need to unhide them through the Mac Terminal. Here's how:

Step 1. Search for “Terminal” in Spotlight or use another method to open Terminal on Mac.

Step 2: Run the “Show Hidden Files” command. In Terminal, copy and paste the following code and hit Return to reveal all hidden files in Finder: defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

Step 3: Restart the Finder for the changes to take effect. You may need to restart your Mac to do this.

Or, you can quickly and easily restart the Finder by entering this command in Terminal: killall Finder Remember to hit Return to execute the command.

Step 4: In Finder, locate your Minecraft saves, open the library folder that just appeared > Application Support > Minecraft > Saves.

If you don't know your way around the Terminal and running commands to edit system files and game saves, try using the Mac Data Recovery Wizard to restore hidden files on your Mac. Read on to learn more about how to unhide secret files on your Mac.

How to Show Hidden Files on Mac

This article offers three methods to find, display, and recover hidden files on your Mac. If you need to locate some concealed files, follow these simple steps for a quick solution.

Last Words

If your Minecraft save files have disappeared from your computer, you may be able to recover them. On Windows, you can replace a corrupted file with a previous version of the file. You can also try using a data recovery tool. On a Mac, you can attempt to show hidden files through Terminal. If this doesn't work, you'll need to restore your data from an online backup.

If you'd like to read more while learning how to recover deleted files, check out our other articles on the tools site. We have loads of news, advice, and tips!

Frequently Asked Questions about Losing Minecraft Worlds

Here are four additional questions about lost Minecraft saves, which you can find answers to here.

**Why did my Minecraft save disappear?**

Possible reasons for Minecraft save files disappearing include: 1. Software Glitch or Bug: Sometimes, software bugs or glitches within the game can cause save files to become corrupted or vanish. 2. Incorrect Save Location: If the game saves in a different location than where you expect, it might appear as if the save file is missing. 3. Update Issues: Updates to the game might not always be compatible with older save files, causing them to disappear or become inaccessible. 4. Corrupted Game Data: Damaged game data or cache files can lead to save files being lost. 5. Storage Device Failure: If the storage device (hard drive, SSD, or memory card) where your saves are stored experiences issues, it can result in missing save files. 6. Malware or Virus: Malicious software can sometimes delete or modify game files, including save data. 7. Accidental Deletion: Users may accidentally delete the save files while managing their game folders. 8. Incompatible Mods or Resource Packs: Third-party modifications or resource packs can sometimes interfere with the save system, causing save files to disappear. 9. Power Outage or Unpredicted Shutdown: Sudden power loss or forceful shutdown of the computer during gameplay can lead to unsaved progress being lost. 10. Incorrect Configuration Settings: Custom configuration settings, particularly those related to saving, can result in save files not being created or saved properly. To prevent such issues, it's essential to regularly back up your save files and keep your game and operating system updated.

• Disk failure
• Accidental file deletion
• Unintentional game errors
• Incompatibility between hardware or software

Where are Minecraft saves on Android devices?

Minecraft worlds are typically stored in the `minecraftpe > files > games > com.mojang > minecraftWorlds` folder, located within the Android > com.mojang directory.

How do I recover lost Minecraft worlds on iOS?

You can back up your Minecraft game files through iCloud or iTunes.

To access “Storage & Backup,” go to Settings > iCloud. When your iPhone finishes restoring, choose the backup you want to restore from.

**How to Recover Deleted Minecraft Worlds on a Windows Computer?** If you accidentally deleted your Minecraft world and want to retrieve it, here are some potential methods: 1. **Recover from Recycle Bin:** - Open the "Recycle Bin." - Search for folders or files related to your Minecraft world, typically located in the `.minecraft\saves` directory. - Right-click on the deleted world and select "Restore." 2. **Use Data Recovery Software:** - If the file isn't in the Recycle Bin, try using data recovery software like Recuva or tools Data Recovery Wizard. - Install and run the software, then select the disk to scan (usually the C drive). - Search for Minecraft-related file types, such as `.mcworld` or `.dat`. - Preview and recover your Minecraft world after the scan completes. 3. **Check Backups:** - If you have the habit of backing up game files, check your backup folder to restore the world. - Backups are usually stored in a location you specified or within the `.minecraft\backups` directory. 4. **Cloud Sync Services:** - If you use cloud sync services like OneDrive or Google Drive, sign in with the same account and restore the deleted file from the cloud. 5. **Contact Support:** - If all else fails, reach out to Mojang or Microsoft's support team to inquire about the possibility of recovering the world from their servers. Keep in mind that data recovery is not always successful, so it's best to regularly back up important Minecraft worlds.

To restore a deleted Minecraft world on Windows 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install and run tools Data Recovery Wizard.

Step 2: Select the hard drive and click “Scan.”

Step 3: Browse the data to find your lost Minecraft world

Step 4. Click 'Recover' to save the file.

Step 5: Replace the current world file with the recovered one.