How to transfer Minecraft worlds between one mobile device to another mobile device?

Question

How to transfer Minecraft worlds between one mobile device to another mobile device?

Liliana L 0

I have both devices signed into the same Microsoft account but the worlds don’t sync, I assumed it would be automatic but I guess not. I can’t find any solutions online so is it not possible on mobile devices then? Or do I need to enable something on my Microsoft or Xbox account?

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Lychee-Ng 26,855 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Liliana L,

I can see why this feels confusing, but as the AI assist has clarified, Minecraft mobile doesn’t automatically sync worlds. That’s because worlds are stored locally on each device, and there’s no setting to enable syncing. Here are your options:

1 - Use Minecraft Realms

Upload your world to a private Realm on the first device
Sign in on the second device and download it
Requires a Realms subscription (or trial).

Refer to: Use Realms to Transfer a Minecraft: Bedrock Edition World to Another Device | Minecraft Help

2 - Manual file transfer

Locate the world files on your first device:
- How Minecraft Stores World Files on Your Android Device | Minecraft Help
- iOS: use the Files app/iCloud to find the minecraftWorlds folder.
Copy them (via cloud storage, AirDrop, USB, etc.)
Paste/import them on the second device.

If you tell me whether you’re moving between Android or/and iPhone phones, I can help you find the exact locations of the folders if you want to transfer it manually.

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Lychee-Ng 26,855 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-21T11:39:30.18+00:00

Just wondering if you had the time to check out the suggestions above yet? If there's anything you're not sure, feel free to ask!
Wisteria 0 Reputation points

2026-05-27T20:16:14.0733333+00:00

Hey so how would I transfer from an iPhone to an android tablet?
Lychee-Ng 26,855 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-28T06:12:07.9+00:00

Hi Wisteria, same as the instructions above.

If you want to do it manually, you can copy the world files from iPhone and put them in the world location on the Android tablet. It's usually Android/data/com.mojang.minecraftpe/files/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds. But to be sure, you can create a world on the tablet first, confirm its location, then move the worlds from the iPhone to the same place.
Aspirasi 0 Reputation points

2026-08-14T02:20:38.4533333+00:00

Hello! I can’t seem to find any files on Minecraft on my iOS 17 iPhone. Also, would it matter if I’ve already downloaded Minecraft on the device but would like to purchase it using a different Apple ID?
Lychee-Ng 26,855 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-14T06:34:00.8166667+00:00

Hi Aspirasi,

On newer iOS versions, including iOS 17, Minecraft world files are not always visible in the Files due to anti-data tampering designs. In that case, the simplest and most reliable transfer method is usually Minecraft Realms. Another possible workaround is to access the world files when connected to a computer.

As for your second question, generally yes, it can matter depends on what you're looking for. If Minecraft is already installed on the device and you sign in with your Microsoft account, your worlds and Xbox profile are separate from the Apple ID purchase. However, Minecraft purchases are tied to the Apple ID that bought the app.

If you delete Minecraft and later need to reinstall it, you would normally need access to the Apple ID that originally purchased Minecraft, unless you purchase the app again with the new Apple ID. Simply signing into a different Microsoft account does not transfer ownership of the game.

Before making any changes, I strongly recommend backing up any important worlds first.

Answer 2

Minecraft worlds on mobile (Bedrock Edition on iOS/Android) do not automatically sync between devices through a Microsoft or Xbox account. Signing in with the same Microsoft account lets the game sync things like achievements and marketplace purchases, but local worlds remain stored on each device.

To move worlds between two mobile devices, a manual transfer is required (for example, backing up the world folder from one device and restoring it on the other, or temporarily hosting a world on one device and joining it from the other, then using in‑game copy/export features if available). There is no Microsoft or Xbox account setting that enables automatic cloud sync of mobile worlds.

References: