How to convert Minecraft Bedrock seeds to Java and vice-versa

Minecraft is available on all popular platforms/devices from desktop computers to mobile phones. Some platforms even have more than one edition of the game but Windows 10 is the only app that has two versions that are different because they’re built on different technology; the Bedrock version and the Java version.

Minecraft Bedrock vs Java

We’ve discussed the difference between the Bedrock and the Java version of Minecraft before. While they both offer the same type of gameplay, the underlying technology that the apps are built on is different. This is why resources that work in the Java version won’t work in the Bedrock version, and vice-versa.

There are some exceptions though; seed values.

Minecraft seeds

A Minecraft seed is basically a bit of code that is used to generate a world in the game. The code is a number and different numbers generate different worlds. A Minecraft seed for a Java-based world generally cannot be used directly in a Bedrock-based world to generate the same world and vice-versa. Instead, the seed needs to be converted before you can get identical worlds.

Minecraft world seed conversion

Before you can convert seeds, remember the following;

• All Bedrock sees can be converted to Java seeds.
• There will be some differences in the world that is generated and spawn points will likely be different.
• Structures such as the Dessert temples, Jungle Temples, Mineshafts, Strongholds will not be in the same place.
• The Biomes and the map will be a close match to the original world seed.
• Java seeds can be converted to Bedrock seeds but the success rate is about half which means you won’t be able to convert all Java seeds to Bedrock seeds.

Convert Bedrock seed value to Java

To start conversion, you need to find the seed value for a world created in Bedrock.

1. Open Minecraft Bedrock version.
2. On the home screen, click Play.
3. On the list of worlds, click the Edit button next to the world you want to get the seed value for.
4. Scroll down to the seed field, and note down the numerical value. Take note if the seed value has a negative (minus) sign before it).
5. If the seed value is positive (there is no minus sign), it can be used AS IS. It does not need to be changed and will be read by the Java version. The Bedrock seed value will range between 0 to 2147483648
6. If the seed value is negative, you have to add 4294967296 to it, to convert it to a Java seed value (do not remove the minus sign when adding it to the Java version).

Convert Java seed value to Bedrock

In order to convert a Java world’s seed value to Bedrock, follow the steps below;

1. Open Minecraft and click Play.
2. Select the world that you want to get the seed value for, and go to its settings.
3. Take note of the seed value in the respective field.
4. If the seed value is negative (has a minus sign), you CANNOT convert it to a Bedrock seed value.
5. If the seed value is positive, and it lies between the range 0 to 2147483648, you can use it AS IS in Bedrock.
6. If the seed value is positive and it lies between the range 2147483649 to 4294967296, you must subtract 4294967296 from the value and use the resulting value as the seed value in Bedrock.

Use Seed values

The process for using a seed value is the same in both the Java and Minecraft version. When you create a new world, you have the option to enter a seed value instead of letting the game pick a random one. Create a new world, and in the seed field, enter the value that you have.

Conclusion

Minecraft Bedrock is the newer version of the game. That’s not to say it has a lot of features that the Java version does not. The Java version is still in active development and gets new biomes, mobs, and structures all the time but making it work with the Bedrock version is trickier.