How To Uninstall And Reinstall Minecraft

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Occasionally, you may have to uninstall games even if you enjoy them - and Minecraft is no exception. Regardless of whether you're trying to fix a stubborn bug or would like to temporarily free some storage, we're here to help you keep your game data safe during this process.



In this guide, we'll explain how to reinstall Minecraft Bedrock and Java on various devices while keeping your saves. Additionally, we'll provide instructions for a clean reinstallation, and answer a couple of common questions related to backing up your Minecraft data.



Keep Saves on PC Minecraft: Bedrock Uninstall and Reinstall



Let's dive right in - find the Minecraft Bedrock reinstallation instructions for your device below.



Windows Bedrock With Saves



To uninstall Minecraft Bedrock from a Windows PC while keeping your saves and install it again, follow the steps below:



4. From the "Roaming" folder, open the ".minecraft" folder. Then, right-click the "saves" folder. Dj W360



6. Go back to the "Roaming" folder and right-click the ".minecraft" folder, then select "Delete." This will uninstall Minecraft from your PC. To install Minecraft again:



Mac Bedrock With Saved



The instructions for reinstalling Minecraft Bedrock on a Mac computer are slightly different from those for Windows - here's how to do that:



6. Right-click the entire ".minecraft" folder and select "Delete" from the options, then confirm. This should uninstall Minecraft from your PC. To reinstall Minecraft again: 7. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start an installation process.



Linux Bedrock With Saves



To uninstall Minecraft Bedrock from a Linux device, you need only one script. Follow the steps below to delete and reinstall the game:



1. Before starting the uninstallation process, keep in mind that you shouldn't delete the Minecraft Launcher. 2. Launch your File Manager and open the ".minecraft" folder. 3. Right-click the "saves" folder and select "Copy," then save it to a safe location away from the ".minecraft" folder. 4. Launch the Terminal using the "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "T" keyboard shortcut. 5. Type in "rm -vr ~/.minecraft/*" to the Terminal, then hit the "Enter" key. If required, enter your password. This command should remove all Minecraft files. To reinstall Minecraft: 6. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it. 7. Copy the "saves" folder from your safe location. 8. Open the ".minecraft" folder again and paste your "saves" folder there. Keep Saves on Mobile Minecraft: Bedrock PE Uninstall and Reinstall



If you're playing Minecraft on mobile, you can still keep your saves while reinstalling the game. Below, you will find detailed instructions for both Android and iPhone devices.



IOS Bedrock PE With Saves



To reinstall Minecraft PE on an iPhone, follow the steps below:



1. Install iExplorer from the official website. If you're using a Windows PC, you also need the iTunes app.



2. Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your computer.



3. Expand your phone file management window and navigate to "Apps."



4. Click "Minecraft PE," then "Documents," "Games," and "com.mojang."



5. Copy the "MinecraftWorlds" folder and save it to a safe location away from the main Minecraft folder. 6. On your phone, tap and hold the Minecraft app icon. Once it starts wiggling, tap the minus icon and confirm your action. This should uninstall the game.



7. Reinstall Minecraft PE from the AppStore.



8. On your PC, open the "com.mojang" folder again and move the "MinecraftWorlds" folder back. Android Bedrock PE With Saves



Follow the guide below to reinstall Minecraft PE on your Android device:



2. Find the "Games" folder, then navigate to the "com.mojang" folder.



3. Copy the "MinecraftWorlds" folder and save it to any location away from the main "com.mojang" folder.



4. Uninstall the Minecraft PE app. Tap and hold the Minecraft icon and drag it to the upper-right corner of your screen to the "Uninstall" option, then confirm (for newer Android phones). If this method doesn't work on your device, do this through the Settings app.



5. Reinstall Minecraft PE from the Google Play Store.



6. Open the "com.mojang" folder from the File Explorer again and move the "MinecraftWorlds" folder back. Keep Saves on Console Minecraft: Bedrock Uninstall and Reinstall



Keeping your Minecraft data safe during reinstallation is way easier on consoles than it is on a computer. Read on to find instructions for specific console models.



PS4 Bedrock With Saves



PS4 automatically saves your Minecraft data to cloud storage, so you don't have to take any steps to back up your worlds. Follow the steps below to reinstall the game:



1. From the main console menu, open the Games Menu. 2. Find Minecraft Bedrock, then press the "Options" key on your controller - a small oval button to the right from the touchpad. 3. Select "Delete." Minecraft will be uninstalled, but not your saves - they're stored in a different location. Choose "No" when asked whether you'd like to remove the application saved data. 4. Sign in to your PlayStation Store account and navigate to your Library. 5. Click "Download" to download Minecraft Bedrock from the Library. You should be able install it without having to pay. Then, follow the usual PS4 installation instructions. 6. Once installed, your saves should appear in the game automatically. Xbox One Bedrock With Saves



If you're registered with Xbox Live, your Minecraft data is stored in the cloud. Here's how to reinstall the game:



1. Run your Xbox and press the Xbox key on your controller. 2. Navigate to "My Games and Apps," then find Minecraft. 3. Press the Menu (Start) key on your controller. 4. From the menu, select "Uninstall." Your saves should stay in the cloud storage if you're using Xbox Live. 5. Go back to the main menu, then to "My Games and Apps." 6. Navigate to "Full Library," then to "All Owned Games." Minecraft should still be stored in this folder - highlight the game title and select "Install." The game should install with all your saves. Nintendo Switch Bedrock With Saves



On Nintendo Switch, you'll have to back up your data manually first. To do that and reinstall the game, follow the steps below:



1. In the main menu, highlight Minecraft, then press the "+" key on your Switch to open game Settings. 2. From the left sidebar, select "Save Data Cloud," then select a user and confirm your action. 3. From the left sidebar, select "manage Software," then "Delete Software," and confirm to uninstall Minecraft. 4. Go back to the main menu and open the Nintendo Shop - a yellow shopping bag icon at the bottom of the screen. 5. Click your profile icon, then select "Redownload" to view the games you already own. 6. Click the cloud icon next to Minecraft and wait for it to install. Your saves should be restored automatically. Keep Saves on Legacy Console Minecraft: Uninstall and Reinstall



Of course, you can also reinstall Minecraft on older consoles, such as PS3 and Xbox 360. Read on to find out how to do that.



PS3 Legacy Bedrock With Saves



Reinstalling Minecraft on PS3 isn't different from reinstalling it on a PS4. However, you can't transfer your Minecraft data from older PS versions to PS4 or PS5. To reinstall the game on the same console, follow the steps below:



1. From the main console menu, open the Games Menu. 2. Find Minecraft Bedrock, then press the "Options" key on your controller - a small oval button to the right from the touchpad. 3. Select "Delete." Minecraft will be uninstalled, but not your saves - they're stored in a different location. Choose "No" when asked whether you'd like to remove the application saved data. 4. Sign in to your PlayStation Store account and navigate to your Library. 5. Click "Download" to download Minecraft Bedrock from the Library. You should be able install it without having to pay. Then, follow the usual PS3 installation instructions. 6. Once installed, your saves should appear in the game automatically. PS Vita Legacy Bedrock With Saves



Just like with PS3, you can't transfer Minecraft data from PS Vita to PS4, but you can keep your data if you're reinstalling the game on the same device. Here's how to do that:



1. 360 degrees all the way around From the main menu, open content Manager, then move to "Online Storage." 2. Select "PS Vita System -> Online Storage." 3. Mark the checkbox next to Minecraft Legacy and tap "Copy." 4. Go back to the main menu and find the Minecraft icon. Tap it and hold for a few seconds. Once it starts wiggling, tap the three-dot icon next to it. 5. Select "Delete" and confirm. 6. From the main menu, open PS Store and tap the three-dot icon in the corner of your screen. Then, select "Download List." 7. Click "Download Minecraft" to get it installed for free. 8. Navigate back to "Online Storage" and select "Online Storage -> PS Vita System." 9. Mark the checkbox next to Minecraft Legacy and tap "Copy." Xbox 360 Legacy Bedrock With Saves



The instructions for reinstalling content on Xbox 360 are exactly the same as the ones for Xbox One.

Here's how to uninstall Minecraft on your console while keeping your saves:

1. Run your Xbox and press the Xbox key on your controller. 2. Navigate to "My Games and Apps," then find Minecraft. 3. Press the Menu (Start) key on your controller. 4. From the menu, select "Uninstall." Your saves should stay in the cloud storage if you're using Xbox Live. 5. Go back to the main menu, then to "My Games and Apps." 6. Navigate to "Full Library," then to "All Owned Games." Minecraft should still be stored in this folder - highlight the game title and select "Install." The game should install with all your saves. Keep Saves on Minecraft Java: Uninstall and Reinstall



Read this section to discover how to keep your saves while reinstalling Minecraft Java Edition on your PC.



Windows Minecraft Java With Saves



To keep your Minecraft saves while reinstalling the game on a Windows PC, follow the steps below:



4. From the "Roaming" folder, open ".minecraft" folder. Then, right-click the "saves" folder.



5. From the dropdown menu, select "Copy," and save the folder in any safe location on your PC.



6. Go back to the "Roaming" folder and right-click ".minecraft" folder, then select "Delete." This will uninstall Minecraft from your PC.



7. Open Minecraft Launcher. This will start the installation process.



8. Follow the on-screen instructions - normally, you only have to click "Next" a couple of times and sign in with your Minecraft account once the installation is complete. 9. Copy your "saves" folder from the chosen safe location.



10. Open the ".minecraft" folder from the "Roaming" folder again and paste your "saves" folder there.



Mac Minecraft Java With Saves



Reinstalling Minecraft Java isn't different from reinstalling the Bedrock edition. Here's how to do that:



5. Right-click the "saves" folder and select "Copy" from the dropdown menu, then save the folder somewhere safe, like a desktop.



6. Right-click the entire ".minecraft" folder and select "Delete" from the options, then confirm. This should uninstall Minecraft from your PC. 7. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start an installation process.



8. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete, then close Launcher. 9. Copy the "saves" folder from your safe location.



10. Open the ".minecraft" folder again and paste your "saves" folder there.



Linux Minecraft Java With Saves



Reinstalling Minecraft Java on Linux is quite straightforward - follow the steps below:



1. Before starting the uninstallation process, keep in mind that you shouldn't delete the Minecraft Launcher. 2. Launch your File Manager and open the ".minecraft" folder. 3. Right-click the "saves" folder and select "Copy," then save it to a safe location away from the ".minecraft" folder. 4. Launch the Terminal using the "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "T" keyboard shortcut. 5. Type in "rm -vr ~/.minecraft/*" to the Terminal, then hit the "Enter" key. If required, enter your password. This command should remove all Minecraft files. 6. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it. 7. Copy the "saves" folder from your safe location. 8. Open the ".minecraft" folder again and paste your "saves" folder there. Fresh Start for Minecraft Bedrock: Complete Uninstall and Reinstall



If you wish to delete your Minecraft data permanently, read this section to find out how to do it on your device.



Bedrock Windows



To delete all Minecraft data from your Windows PC, follow the steps below:



7. Follow the on-screen instructions - normally, you only have to click "Next" a couple of times and sign in with your Minecraft account once the installation is complete. Bedrock MacOS



You can easily delete all of your Minecraft files from your Mac - here's how to do that:



7. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete. Bedrock Linux



Deleting your Minecraft files from a Linux device requires only four steps - find them below:



1. Before starting the uninstallation process, keep in mind that you shouldn't delete the Minecraft Launcher. 2. Launch the Terminal using the "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "T" keyboard shortcut. 3. Type in "rm -vr ~/.minecraft/*" to the Terminal, then hit the "Enter" key. If required, enter your password. This command should remove all your Minecraft files, including your saves. 4. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it. Fresh Start for Minecraft PE (Bedrock): Complete Uninstall and Reinstall



Find instructions for permanently uninstalling Minecraft PE from your phone below.



Minecraft PE Using Android



To delete all of your Minecraft files from an Android phone, do the following:



1. Tap and hold the Minecraft icon and drag it to the upper-right corner of your screen to the "Uninstall" option, then confirm (for newer Android phones). If this method doesn't work on your device, do this through the Settings app. This should delete Minecraft without saving your data.



2. Reinstall Minecraft PE from the Google Play Store.



Minecraft PE Using iOS



To uninstall Minecraft without saving your data from an iPhone, follow the two simple steps below:



1. On your phone, tap and hold the Minecraft app icon. Once it starts wiggling, tap the minus icon and confirm your action. This should uninstall the game without saving your data.



2. Reinstall Minecraft PE from the AppStore.



Fresh Start for Minecraft Java: Complete Uninstall and Reinstall



You don't have to keep your Minecraft Java data if you don't want to - find out how to uninstall the game permanently below.



Clean Install on Minecraft Java on Windows



To reinstall Minecraft Java on a Windows device, follow the instructions below:



1. Before starting the uninstallation process, keep in mind that you shouldn't delete the Minecraft Launcher. 2. Press the "Win" and "R" keys simultaneously, then type in "%appdata%" to the window that appears.



3. Hit the "Enter" key or click "Ok" to open the "Roaming" folder.



4. From the "Roaming" folder, right-click the ".minecraft" folder.



5. Select "Delete." This will uninstall Minecraft from your PC, including your saves.



6. Open Minecraft Launcher. This will start the installation process.



7. Follow the on-screen instructions - normally, you only have to click "Next" a couple of times and sign in with your Minecraft account once the installation is complete. Clean Install on Minecraft Java on Mac



You can reinstall the game on your Mac without saving your worlds - here's how to do that:



1. Before starting the uninstallation process, keep in mind that you shouldn't delete the Minecraft Launcher. 2. Open the "Finder" app - its icon looks like a blue square face.



3. Click "Go" at the top of the Finder window, then "Go to Folder..."



4. Type in "~/Library/Application Support/minecraft" to the search window and hit the "Enter" key. The ".minecraft" folder should open.



5. Right-click the entire ".minecraft" folder and select "Delete" from the options, then confirm. This should uninstall Minecraft from your mac, including your saves. 6. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start an installation process.



7. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete. Clean Install on Minecraft Java on Linux



Uninstalling all of your Minecraft Java data from Linux and installing the game again is simple - follow the steps below:



1. Before starting the uninstallation process, keep in mind that you shouldn't delete the Minecraft Launcher. 2. Launch the Terminal using the "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "T" keyboard shortcut. 3. Type in "rm -vr ~/.minecraft/*" to the Terminal, then hit the "Enter" key. If required, enter your password. This command should remove all your Minecraft files, including your saves. 4. Open Minecraft Launcher - this should start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete it. Frequently Asked Questions



Read this section to find out more about reinstalling Minecraft.



Where Is My Save Folder so I Can Backup My Minecraft Data? I Cannot Find It.



Depending on your device, the Minecraft "saves" folder may be found in different locations. On PlayStation and Xbox, your data saves to the cloud automatically, while on PS Vita, you have to back it up through Settings. You don't have to search for a "saves" folder, though - once you reinstall the game, your data will be restored automatically. For other devices, follow the instructions below to find the "saves" folder:



On Windows:



1. Press the "Win" and "R" keys simultaneously, then type in "%appdata%" to the window that appears.



2. Hit the "Enter" key or click "Ok" to open the "Roaming" folder.



3. From the "Roaming" folder, right-click the ".minecraft" folder.



4. Open the "saves" folder.



On macOS:



1. Open the "Finder" app - its icon looks like a blue square face.



2.

Click "Go" at the top of the Finder window, then "Go to Folder..."

3. Type in "~/Library/Application Support/minecraft" to the search window and hit the "Enter" key. The ".minecraft" folder should open. Here, you'll see the "saves" folder.



On Android:



1. Open the File Explorer (the exact name may vary) app on your phone.



2. Find the "Games" folder, then navigate to the "com.mojang" folder.



3. Your saves can be found in the "MinecraftWorlds" folder.



On iPhone:



1. Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your computer.



2. Expand your phone file management window and navigate to "Apps."



3. Click "Minecraft PE," then "Documents," "Games," and "com.mojang."



4. Your saves can be found in the "MinecraftWorlds" folder.



If I Just Reinstall Minecraft, Will It Delete My Saved Data?



Yes - if you don't back up your data before uninstalling the game, your saves will be lost. This relates to all devices apart from PlayStation and Xbox consoles. To fully delete Minecraft data from PS4, select "Yes" when asked whether you'd like to remove the application saved data. You can't permanently delete data from Xbox Live cloud storage, but the cloud storage won't be available if you aren't signed up to Xbox Live.



Don't Lose Your Worlds



Every Minecraft player knows how frustrating it is to lose a world you've been building for so long! Thankfully, now that you know how to reinstall Minecraft properly, you can be sure that your saves won't get deleted. If you're playing Minecraft on a computer or a mobile, you may want to back up your game data in advance, even if you aren't planning to reinstall Minecraft in the foreseeable future. Use a memory stick, a different device, or cloud storage - this will help to save your worlds in case something goes wrong with your device.



How do you prefer to back up your game data? Share your experiences in the comments section below.