If you are a Minecraft server owner, you maybe have wanted to upgrade your server to a newer version, but if you already did this, you would see that everything is cleared, the world and your inventories.
So, if you want to keep your items with you even after the upgrade action, just keep reading (It only save players' inventories, not the world itself, so buildings will be gone, so sad, but you can also save it with other methods, likGFe removing all the unloaded chunks and replacing them with new ones from the version you want to upgrade or downgrade to):
Step 1: Backup Your World
Before attempting any major changes, it is crucial to create a backup of your current Minecraft world. This ensures that even if something goes wrong during the upgrade process, you can always revert to the previous version with all your data intact.
Step 2: Download the Old World
Visit the server's control panel and find the download button for your current Minecraft world. Save the world to your local device for later use.
Step 3: Upgrade or Downgrade Your Server's Version
Now comes the part where you upgrade or downgrade your Minecraft server's version. Depending on your preferences and compatibility, choose the version that suits your needs. Keep in mind that downgrading might cause compatibility issues with some features.
Step 4: Replace the Playerdata Folder
After the upgrade/downgrade, your server will generate a new world. To bring back your players' inventories, go to your old world files and navigate to "{world's name}/world". There, locate the "playerdata" folder and copy it.
Now, navigate to the same location in the new world folder and paste the "playerdata" folder. This step will transfer all the player data, including their inventories, to the new version.
Step 5: Adjust Player Coordinates
After completing Step 4, you're almost there! However, there's one more crucial step to ensure everything aligns correctly. Log in to your server in creative mode to prevent any accidental deaths due to suffocation. Enable the "keepinventory" command and sacrifice yourself (you can respawn afterward).
Take note of the coordinates of the spawn point. Now, access the "Files" section in the Aternos Dashboard, and locate the "world/playerdata" folder. Inside, you will find various files with gibberish names representing players.
Edit each player's data file by pasting the coordinates you obtained earlier. This step ensures that players respawn at the correct location with their inventory intact.
Step 6: Final Checks and Upload
With all the above steps completed, you've successfully upgraded your Minecraft server while preserving your players' inventories. Before you open the server to the public, make sure to test it thoroughly for any issues or glitches.
Once you are confident that everything is working smoothly, upload the modified world to your server's files, replacing the old one. Now your server is ready to run on the upgraded version with all player inventories intact!
Conclusion
Upgrading your Minecraft server can be a tricky process, but with the right precautions and methods, you can ensure a seamless transition without losing any valuable data. Always remember to back up your world before making any changes and follow the steps mentioned above carefully. By doing so, you'll create a better gaming experience for your players without sacrificing their hard work and progress.