Minecraft exists in two major ecosystems: (modded with .jar files) and Bedrock Edition (enhanced with .mcaddon or .mcpack files). For years, these two worlds were incompatible. However, with the rise of bridge tools, conversion scripts, and a deep understanding of both platforms’ structures, it is possible to convert a Java Edition mod into a Bedrock Edition add-on.
This 2,500+ word guide will walk you through exactly what is possible, what isn't, and the step-by-step process to manually port a Java .jar mod into a Bedrock .mcaddon file.
There is no one-click converter. A .jar file (Java bytecode) and an .mcaddon file (ZIP containing JSON/JavaScript) are fundamentally different. What you are really converting is the logic, items, and entities from Java to Bedrock’s behavior pack system.
Logic or "data" from the Java mod must be translated into Bedrock's JSON format for the Behavior Pack. : Convert Jar To Mcaddon
You should not attempt to convert every .jar mod. Ask these three questions:
You cannot "convert" Java code to Bedrock behavior. You must use Minecraft's Official Add-on Documentation to recreate the mod's functions using JSON for components and JavaScript for complex interactions. 3. Packaging into .mcaddon
"header": "name": "Your Mod Name", "description": "A short description of your mod.", "version": "1.0.0", "author": "Your Name" , "modules": [ Minecraft exists in two major ecosystems: (modded with
Locate the .jar mod you want to convert. Ensure you have the original file and that you are complying with its license terms. If the mod is protected by a license that prohibits redistribution or modification, you cannot legally convert it for public release.
Because MCADDON files are just ZIP archives in disguise, you can open them with any zip decompression utility like 7-Zip or WinRAR, rename the extension back to .zip , and view their contents. This "package within a package" structure is what makes MCADDON files such a convenient way to distribute Bedrock add-ons to other players.
– The most reliable options are described in the next section. This 2,500+ word guide will walk you through
For basic mods (such as those adding standard blocks, items, or simple entities), automated tools can save hours of development time. 1. Choice of Conversion Tools
Enter the world and test your items via the creative inventory or commands. Troubleshooting Common Conversion Errors
Scroll down to Resource Packs and Behavior Packs in the left sidebar, find your mod under "My Packs," and click Activate .
– Manually write the manifest.json and pack_icon.png files, then organise the assets into the appropriate folders ( textures/ , models/ , animations/ , etc.).