How Do I Get My Realm World Back? A Comprehensive Guide

Losing your precious Minecraft realm world can be a frustrating experience, whether it’s due to an expired subscription, accidental deletion, or technical issues. The good news is that Minecraft Realms offers backup and recovery options that can help you get your world back, provided you understand how these systems work. The process varies depending on whether your realm is still active, has expired, or if you’ve accidentally deleted the world. Here’s a detailed guide on how to recover your lost Minecraft realm world.

Restoring an Active Realm World

If your Realm subscription is active, recovering your world is relatively straightforward. Realms regularly back up your world data to the cloud, allowing you to restore a previous version easily. This feature is designed to prevent data loss from glitches, accidental deletions, or unwanted modifications.

How to Restore a Realm Backup on PC/Mac

1. Open Minecraft: Launch the Minecraft application on your PC or Mac.

2. Select Minecraft Realms: From the main menu, click on the Minecraft Realms option.

3. Choose your Realm: Select the specific realm you want to restore.

4. Access Realm Settings: Click the edit (pencil) button next to your realm’s name.

5. Navigate to Backups: Look for a button labeled Realms Backups. Click this.

6. Select a Backup: You’ll see a list of backups, each with a timestamp. Choose the backup you wish to restore.

7. Restore the Backup: Click the restore button next to your chosen backup. This will overwrite your current realm world with the selected backup.

   Important Note: Make sure you are certain about which backup you choose, as restoring a backup will permanently replace the current realm world.

Recovering from the Cloud for Other Platforms

The general concept remains the same across different platforms like consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and mobile devices (Android, iOS). You will access your Realm settings, navigate to backups, and then select the desired backup to restore. The exact UI layout might differ slightly based on your device but follow the same logic as above.

Recovering an Expired Realm World

If your Realms subscription has expired, don’t panic! Your world isn’t gone forever. Minecraft keeps your realm world data for 18 months after expiration. This gives you ample time to renew your subscription and regain access.

Moving a World from an Expired Realm to a New Realm

Unfortunately, you cannot directly renew an expired realm subscription. However, you can move your old realm world to a new realm by following these steps:

1. Start a new Realm Subscription: Purchase a new Minecraft Realms subscription through your account.
2. Create a New Realm: Set up a new realm with your new subscription.
3. Download your Old Realm: On the expired realm page, there should be an option to download your world. This option is typically found under “edit” and then within “game” settings.
4. Replace the New Realm World: Once you’ve downloaded the world from the expired realm, go to the settings of your new realm, choose the Replace World option and upload the previously downloaded file. This process will transfer your old world data to your new realm.

Important Information About Expired Realms

• 18-Month Grace Period: Remember, you have 18 months to download and migrate your world after your subscription expires. After this period, the data is permanently removed.
• No Direct Renewal: Expired realms can’t be directly renewed; you must start a new realm and then transfer your world to it.

What to Do if Your Realm is Missing

Sometimes your realm might seem to disappear, even when your subscription is still active. Here’s how to troubleshoot such issues:

1. Restart Minecraft: Close the Minecraft application and reopen it. This can sometimes resolve temporary glitches.
2. Restart Device: Restart the console, PC, or mobile device where you’re playing Minecraft.
3. Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as Realms are hosted on cloud servers.
4. Check Membership: Make sure your Minecraft Realms subscription is still active, and check if the owner of the realm has accidentally cancelled it.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions about Minecraft Realm Recovery

1. Can I restore a realm world if I didn’t create a backup myself?

Yes! Realms automatically back up your world data to the cloud, so you don’t need to manually make backups. These cloud backups are what you use to restore your world.

2. Can I revert to a very old realm backup?

Yes, you can revert to any backup that is available, as they are listed by time stamp. However, the available list is dependent on when your realm was active.

3. What happens if I restore a realm backup and then change my mind?

Restoring a realm backup is permanent and overwrites your current world. If you want to test out a previous backup and still keep your current version, you need to download a backup of your current world first before restoring a previous one.

4. Is there a limit to the number of backups stored for a realm?

Realms stores multiple backups, however they’re not necessarily stored indefinitely, so always download them to your device if you want to keep older versions. The number of backup slots depends on several factors. It’s wise to regularly download backups of your world just in case.

5. Can I turn a realm world into a single-player world?

Yes, you can! Download your realm world from the realm settings, and the downloaded world will be a single-player world saved to your device.

6. Does uninstalling Minecraft delete my realm?

No, uninstalling Minecraft will not delete your realm. Your realm data is associated with your Minecraft account and stored on cloud servers, not on your device.

7. Can I download someone else’s realm world?

Only the realm owner can download realm worlds. Other players who are invited to the realm cannot download it themselves.

8. Will updating Minecraft affect my realm?

Generally, no. Minecraft Realms automatically updates when the main game is updated. Your realm should automatically update to the latest version.

9. What happens to my world data if I cancel my Realm subscription?

You have an 18-month window to download your world after canceling your subscription. After 18 months, the world data is permanently deleted from Minecraft’s servers.

10. How long does it take for a realm to despawn items?

Despawn timers only apply to loaded chunks, so if an item is dropped in a chunk that is not loaded the timer will not start until it is loaded. The despawn timer is 5 minutes.

11. Can I transfer a realm world to a regular server?

Yes, you can. After you download the world from the realm you can upload it to a server. This is often done through the server manager page where you can access your world files.

12. What if my realm disappeared after a Minecraft update?

Restarting the game or your device is the first step for troubleshooting this issue. If it persists, check your subscription status and internet connection.

13. Can I manually update my realm to the latest version?

Usually, your Realm automatically updates when the Minecraft client updates, but if not you can update it on the Minecraft page of your store or the updates section.

14. What is the Minecraft 1.20 update and will it impact my realms?

The 1.20 update is focused on self-expression, specifically through storytelling, world-building, and representation. It includes new features like the Archeology system and Cherry Blossom biomes, and will automatically apply to your existing realms if you update your game client.

15. Will I lose my items if I leave a realm?

No, your items, inventories and progress will remain saved to your account, so if you return to the same realm they will be just as you left them. You might, however, lose access to extra content from the Realm Plus catalog.

Conclusion

Losing a Minecraft realm world can be disheartening, but with the backup and recovery features provided by Minecraft Realms, it’s often possible to retrieve your creations. Whether you are restoring an active realm or moving an expired realm world, understanding these steps will enable you to continue enjoying your Minecraft adventures. Be sure to regularly back up your worlds and act promptly to avoid permanent data loss. This will prevent future headaches and let you focus on the fun of playing Minecraft.