Bedrock Realms · PE · Xbox · PlayStation · Switch · Windows
How to Add Addons to Minecraft Realms
Realms doesn’t behave like a plugin server. The reliable path is pack a local world, then Replace World on the Realm.
Install the .mcaddon / .mcpack (or Marketplace pack) → activate it on a local world → confirm it works → Realm settings → Replace World with that save → require resource packs for join.
Skipping Replace World is why most “addons won’t load on Realms” posts happen.
1. Download a Realm backup
- Open Minecraft → your Realm → pencil / settings.
- Find Download World / backup and save it locally.
- Keep that copy until you’re sure the new upload works.
Replace World overwrites the live Realm. Without a backup, a bad pack upload can cost you the season’s builds.
2. Build a local world with addons active
- Install packs: open the .mcaddon / .mcpack so Minecraft imports it, or own/activate a Marketplace pack.
- Create a new local world (or duplicate a world you want to upload). In world settings enable any Experiments the addon lists.
- Under Resource Packs and Behavior Packs, move the addon to Active. If there are several packs, put dependencies above the packs that need them.
- Load the world offline and verify custom items, mobs, or textures appear.
Need install steps per device? See how to install Bedrock addons.
3. Replace the Realm with that world
- Open Realm settings (owner account).
- Choose Replace World / upload world (wording varies by platform).
- Select the local world that already has the packs active.
- Wait for the upload. Don’t close the game mid-transfer on mobile.
After replace, reopen Realm settings → Resource Packs / Behavior Packs and confirm the packs still show as active on the Realm side.
4. Make friends download resource packs
- Enable Require players to accept resource packs to join when available.
- Have members fully close Minecraft, rejoin, and accept the download prompt.
- If someone still sees vanilla textures, ask them to free storage and retry — large packs fail silently on phones and Switch.
Troubleshooting
Packs missing after upload
Re-activate on a local copy, save, Replace World again. Don’t rely on toggling packs only inside Realm UI.
Crashes on join
Drop experimental / Script API–heavy packs, update everyone’s Minecraft build, then re-upload a cleaner world.
Only the host sees custom content
Resource pack require-toggle + client re-download. Behavior-only packs still need matching resources when the addon ships both.
Want a dedicated server instead?
Realms is convenient but picky with packs. For heavier addons, a Bedrock Dedicated Server can be easier long-term — size one with the server calculator.
FAQ
Can I turn on addons while already inside a Realm?
Not reliably. The dependable method is: build a local world with the packs active, then Replace World on the Realm with that local save. Joining a Realm and hoping packs sync from your device usually fails.
Do all players need to download the resource pack?
Yes for resource packs (looks/sounds). Behavior packs run on the Realm side, but clients still need matching resource packs when the addon ships both. Turn on “Require players to accept resource packs to join” so everyone gets prompted.
Will Replace World wipe the Realm?
Yes — it overwrites the live Realm world with the local world you pick. Download a Realm backup first if you care about existing builds.
Why do my addons work in singleplayer but not on the Realm?
Most often the packs were never on the world that was uploaded, experimental toggles differ, pack load order broke, or Realms rejected an experimental/API pack. Re-apply packs on a fresh local copy, then Replace World again.
Do Marketplace and .mcaddon files both work on Realms?
Marketplace packs and local .mcpack / .mcaddon installs can work if they’re applied to the world before upload. Complex experimental behavior packs are the flakiest on Realms.