Jar To Mcaddon: How To Convert

Make a list of features:

| Feature Type | Java Mod File Location | Bedrock Equivalent | |----------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | New blocks/items | JSON files in /assets//models | blocks.json, item behaviors | | New mobs/entities | Java classes + model JSON | Entity Behavior Pack JSON files | | Recipes | /data//recipes | Recipe JSON files | | Biomes/dimensions | Custom Java code | Custom biome JSON (limited) | | GUI/Screens | Java code only | Not possible in Bedrock | | Custom crafting table | Java code | Only standard table possible |

GUI-based mods and core gameplay changes are NOT portable to Bedrock.

Once your content is organized, zip the folder (not the contents of the folder) that contains your addon.json file. Make sure to use the operating system's built-in zip feature or a zip tool that preserves the folder structure.

Converting a Java Edition .jar mod into a Bedrock Edition .mcaddon is not a direct file-format conversion—these are different platforms with distinct mod APIs and runtime environments—so the process is essentially a port: reimplementing mod features for Bedrock. Below is a practical, step-by-step guide to plan and perform a port with minimal wasted effort.

Java (in JAR): Usually no direct JSON – defined in a .java class.

Bedrock (in behavior_pack/items/): Create my_item.json:

  "format_version": "1.20.0",
  "minecraft:item": 
    "description": 
      "identifier": "converted:my_item",
      "category": "equipment"
    ,
    "components": 
      "minecraft:icon": 
        "texture": "my_item_texture"
      ,
      "minecraft:display_name": 
        "value": "My Converted Item"
      ,
      "minecraft:max_stack_size": 64

Then in resource_pack/textures/item_texture.json:

  "resource_pack_name": "converted_rp",
  "texture_name": "atlas.items",
  "texture_data": 
    "my_item_texture": 
      "textures": "textures/items/my_item"

Example toolchain:

behavior_pack/manifest.json example:

  "format_version": 2,
  "header": 
    "name": "Converted Add-On BP",
    "description": "Ported from Java mod",
    "uuid": "generate-a-unique-uuid-here",
    "version": [1, 0, 0],
    "min_engine_version": [1, 20, 0]
  ,
  "modules": [
"type": "data",
      "uuid": "another-unique-uuid",
      "version": [1, 0, 0]
]

resource_pack/manifest.json – similar, with type: "resources".

Use an online UUID generator for the UUID fields.

Maya looked at the glowing portal. “So… what’s the one-line answer? How do you convert a .jar to a .mcaddon?”

Alistair closed his laptop. “You don’t. You rebuild it from scratch using Bedrock’s JSON and scripts, pack the BP and RP folders into a ZIP, and rename the extension. But the real conversion,” he tapped his chest, “happens here. It’s not a tool. It’s understanding.”

And that is the true story of how an ancient fossil became a living addon. Not through magic, but through meticulous, loving, and slightly obsessive craftsmanship.

The End.