Short description of the issue:
Custom imported skins do not persist between game sessions. The game deletes the custom skin reference files on launch, causing the skin to revert to default.
Steps to reproduce the issue:
Import any custom skin
Confirm the skin applies correctly
Fully close Minecraft
Reopen the game and wait for it to fully load
Open the Dressing Room
Expected result:
The previously imported custom skin loads normally.
Actual result:
The custom skin fails to load and reverts to a default skin. The message "A local or platform skin could not be loaded." appears when opening the Dressing Room.
Additional Information:
The issue is not with the skin file itself. The skin imports and works perfectly within a single game session. The problem is persistence: the game clears the custom_skins folder every time it launches or restarts. This removes the reference file the game needs to load the skin on the next session, which is why it only survives until you log off.
The folder is emptied on launch, causing the skin reference to be lost and producing the "could not be loaded" error. This affects any imported custom skin regardless of format, resolution, or source.
For players who use custom skins, this means re-importing their skin every single time they open the game. The skin is part of their identity in-game, and losing it every session makes the game feel broken. The fix already exists in Preview — it just needs to reach stable versions.
Linked issues
Attachments
Comments 2
Duplicate of MCPE-241720
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