[MCPE-149447] Android world access: New location denies players from adding custom packs or worlds

Update on this issue:

Unfortunately this change is something that is being stipulated by the platform itself, and is not an arbitrary change that Minecraft has decided to put in place. In order to comply with the platform's requirements and continue to publish Minecraft updates these changes had to be made. We are aware of the difficulties this has caused some players in managing their games and save files, and we have implemented some additional UI to help players make sure their world saves are kept safe and are accessible. For more information about accessing your save folders, please see the help page here: https://aka.ms/minecraftAndroidMigration

For more information, you might like to read the following external links:

Android Scoped Storage information: https://developer.android.com/about/versions/11/privacy/storage
Reddit thread regarding accessing files on Android: https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/j3zgmm/managing_files_in_the_androiddata_folder_on/ (Please note this is just for information; please use discretion and only follow any suggestions made there if you are willing to do so at your own risk.)

Any additional feedback or concerns will need to be directed to the Android platform itself, as this is not a change that we have any control over.

Now that MC is no longer on /storage/emulated/0, we cannot add behaviour / resource packs nor worlds to our game. 1.18 introduced this issue by moving storage to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data which all file managers (including the system default's file manager) has NO access to.

Why must this change be put in effect??? Aside from basically forcing players to use junk from the marketplace....

Linked issues

is duplicated by 30

MCPE-149199 Custom mods and resourse not showing in game Resolved

MCPE-149470 The new 1.18 external storage location isn't visible in devices running android 11 Resolved

MCPE-150130 Unable to implement any resource packs in 1.18 mobile Resolved

MCPE-151053 Unable to access files for editing addons on Pocket Edition in 1.18.2 Resolved

MCPE-151078 Android 12 "Permission denied" Resolved

25 more links

relates to 1

MCPE-184643 Impossible to delete imported / custom skin packs Open

Attachments

MC App Data_Total Commander.mp4

MC App Data_X-Plore.mp4

Screenshot_2021-12-02-11-01-03-049_com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer.jpg

Comments 32

SR5798 2021-12-01T12:02:50Z

Try using a file explorer like Google files or Z Achiver

Marek Kedzierski 2021-12-01T12:53:16Z

Blame Google. This was done because of new security requirements in Android 11.

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-01T14:14:35Z

@SR5798 Google Files won't even display the files in /storage/emulated/0/Android/Data. Given a Google app can't, Z Achiver won't be able to either.

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-01T14:16:49Z

@Marek Kedzierieski I would blame Google for the permission blockade. But I can also blame Mojang for moving the directory to a barely-view-only folder.

Mineliver 2021-12-01T14:23:27Z

Mojang should have used the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission so they would not have had to change the file location. I'm a programmer, so, I know.

22 more comments

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-01T14:36:50Z

Which they used to do. Suddenly this is no longer an option...

Marek Kedzierski 2021-12-01T16:30:11Z

Except Google Play store has a policy that limits use of MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission to Apps that actually need it and can't work without it - file browsers and such - see https://developer.android.com/training/data-storage/manage-all-files. Minecraft hardly seems like an App that would require such permission to work.

Also there are file explorers that allow access to those files. For example Root Explorer (available in Play Store for free) can access MInecraft save files just fine - checked it on both my phone (Redmi Note 9 Pro) and tablet (Galaxy Tab A7).

Mineliver 2021-12-01T17:05:34Z

I've used it on my non-file explorer app and they allowed it.

Donavan lopez 2021-12-02T17:29:23Z

Although it is ashamed we can't modify stuff till someone finds a work around. I needed this transfer update because Andriod 11 for newer phones made minecraft run extremely slow. Wish we can file transfer soon.

Manjot singh sethi 2021-12-02T19:37:27Z

Root and 3rd party apps works but it way too complex and way less reliable.

And new location is in android folder that will definitely delate all my file when i join leave or beta and swich version for running old mods.

It should not be like this.

Herby Magtiza 2021-12-03T06:33:53Z

Oh, so this is why I was having trouble accessing my world files and adding resource packs...

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-03T13:55:46Z

@Marek I've notified the developer of the X-Plore file manager as they was able to get a work around for Android 11. The got back to me and said they will look into it when their device upgrades to Android 12. But that won't be until sometime January 2022.

Though you can do this on rooted devices easily, rooting your device can potentially void your device's warranty and may even make it ineligible to be on a service carrier's network. Root at your own risk.

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-03T14:02:17Z

@Herby Correct. As a map creator (via UTK io app via Google Play), this prevents me from revamping my map with the use of behaviour packs.

Rihaan parol 2021-12-03T14:22:09Z

hey this app allows you to access the files in the android folder https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marc.files

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-03T21:04:30Z

@Rihaan I just took a look at that app. The foldet is hidden if you try to move or copy something to it, and read-only if you are just browsing it. Doesn't allow editing, unfortunately.

Keenan Yafiq 2021-12-04T02:59:56Z

We have the same file manager. Try use ZArchiver to look on the Android Folder if you are Android 11

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-04T05:46:27Z

@Keenan Only being able to look at the files in there is the problem. Map creators (such as myself) can no longer modify (edit, add, or remove) anything in that folder. Which really sucks as some of the behaviours in one of my worlds is no longer available for me to work on. All I get to do is see my unfinfinished work as it taunts me. 😞

[Mojang] Mega_Spud (Jay) 2021-12-04T11:12:36Z

Could you please include information about your device? Without it we may be unable to reproduce the issue.

Quick Links:
📓 Issue Guidelines – 💬 Mojang Support – 📧 Suggestions – 📖 Minecraft Wiki

Rihaan parol 2021-12-04T11:46:45Z

Galaxy tab A7

Manjot singh sethi 2021-12-04T17:19:58Z

Redmi note 10 Pro

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-05T03:47:30Z

@Jay Wells Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Android Version 12

Manjot singh sethi 2021-12-07T16:11:26Z

my friend also having ploblem that his world in 1.18 keep getting deleted every day or two. I think his android folder keep getting clean by his phone (redmi note 9 pro)

En Anna 2021-12-08T23:13:46Z

I can't use my old backed up worlds anymore due to this change. Way to go guys.

Cr4nkenStein 2021-12-11T03:06:34Z

I found a workaround to backup and restore Minecraft worlds with the new unaccessable storage location.
Wrote a Post in the Minecraft.net forum.

https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/support/minecraft-bedrock-support/3131276-workaround-no-write-access-to-new-mcpe-1-18

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-11T03:42:36Z

@Denis This workaround failed for me.

Cr4nkenStein 2021-12-11T04:45:31Z

@Etanarvazac can you post in the forum what doesn#t work for you?

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-11T05:09:58Z

@Denis After playing around with it after the initial few attempts, I was able to get this working. I will be uploading a detailed vid on it later. Basically, the characters you use in the file name (and how many) affect MC's ability to import the world. For now, I'd recommend keeping a max of 32 characters and only with letters, numbers, and spaces. For example, Castle Build 12-10.mcworld won't work but Castle Build Dec10.mcworld will. The dash "-" seems to cause the import to fail.

Cr4nkenStein 2021-12-11T05:14:35Z

@@unknown a good point. I will write a detailed manual later the day. But if you take the name from inside the levelname.txt, there should be no errors i think.
Just ending my nightshift now and work on that later 🙂

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-11T05:28:44Z

Temporary Workaround (Worlds only):

Click here to view original post.

World Backup:

Simply copy your world from Android/data/com.mojang.minecraft to where you store them.

Restoring Worlds:

Download a file manager that can zip files from Google Play (Total Commander, X-Plore, etc.)
Navigate to where the world you want to add is (e.g.: /Backups/Games/Minecraft/Worlds/[YourWorldName] ) in the app you installed
Open levelname.txt and keep the name in mind as you do the next few steps.
Manually select everything in the world folder. Do NOT select the world folder itself.
Tap Create ZIP and when asked for the file name, use the level name you had earlier. If the name contains anything other than letters, numbers, and spaces, do NOT include them in the file name.
Once the ZIP file is created, tap and hold on it and select Rename.
Change the file extension from .zip to .mcworld. (e.g.: My Cool World.zip -> My Cool World.mcworld )
Tap on the file. It should now launch MC and after loading to the title, it should say World Import Started.

MC 1.18 World Restore Workaround Video

I know the video quality isn't perfect. But it's enough to know what's going on. If I raised it higher, video would jump from 39MB to well over 300MB.

Note: This workaround only works on your worlds.{*}*

Manjot singh sethi 2021-12-12T10:41:54Z

there is a app (which is not longer in development) I use alot that help me change the biome of a chunk or edit mob data. It's also got broken because of world location change.

it going to be much better having a setting that allow use of old location as many old apps work on that location.
workaround or even google them self removing restriction on android will not be the same as it was before.

and cleaning app delating my world in android folder is way common then i thought. so i also have lost 2 world made in new verson by now.

Etanarvazac Revorix 2021-12-12T14:22:01Z

@Manjot If you're referring to Blocktopograph, it is partly in development. No one has been able to reach the original dev that has it on Google Play in order to push an update out.

test12345und 2022-12-12T06:13:55Z

Im still having this issue in 2022 on Android 13.

Why is this a platform problem? The minecraft app folder seems to be the only app folder on /Android/data that I cant copy files to, even when accessing via USB! Its not even the whole minecraft path, the restriction only starts at the "game" folder.