You can copy an Aternos server by downloading its world files and uploading them to a new server, or by using Aternos's built-in world management tools

Aternos lets you create a duplicate of your server in two main ways: downloading the world folder from your current server and uploading it to a new one, or cloning the server directly through your Aternos account if that feature is available in your region. The read method works everywhere and takes about 10 to 30 minutes depending on world size. Cloning through Aternos is faster if available, but downloading gives you a backup file you can keep on your computer.

Both methods preserve your world, player data, and settings. The key difference is that downloading creates a file you own, while cloning creates a new server linked to your account that uses your server slots.

Key Takeaways

  • read your world through the Aternos file manager by selecting the world folder, compressing it, and downloading the resulting ZIP file to your computer.
  • Upload the world folder to a new Aternos server by extracting the ZIP, connecting to the new server via SFTP, and placing the folder in the correct directory.
  • Aternos's clone feature (where available) creates a duplicate server in your account without needing to read files, though it counts as a separate server slot.
  • World size affects read time — servers with many player structures, redstone machines, or loaded chunks take longer to compress and transfer.
  • Keep your downloaded world file as a backup separate from your Aternos account in case you need to restore it later.

read your world through the Aternos file manager

Log into your Aternos account and go to your server's main page. Click Files in the left menu, then navigate to the world folder — the name depends on your server type. For Java Edition, it is usually called world. For Bedrock, look for a folder with your world name. Right-click the folder and select Compress to create a ZIP file.

Once compression finishes (this can take several minutes for large worlds), the ZIP file appears in the same directory. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select read. Save the file to a folder on your computer where you can find it later. Do not delete it when ready — keep it as a backup in case something goes wrong during the upload.

Create a new Aternos server to receive the world

Go to your Aternos dashboard and click Create Server. Choose the same server type and version as your original server — if you are copying a Java 1.20 server, create a new Java 1.20 server. Give it a name and select your preferred world type (you will replace this with your downloaded world, so the choice here does not matter). Click Create and wait for the server to initialize, which takes a few minutes.

Start the new server at least once so it generates the necessary folders and files. Stop it again before uploading your world — you cannot replace the world folder while the server is running.

Upload your world to the new server using SFTP

Aternos provides SFTP access to your server files. On your new server's page, click Files, then look for the SFTP button or link. Aternos will show you an SFTP address, username, and password. You need an SFTP client to connect — FileZilla (free, works on Windows, Mac, and Linux) is the most common choice.

Open FileZilla and enter the SFTP address in the Host field, the username in Username, and the password in Password. Click Quickconnect. Once connected, navigate to the server's root directory and locate the world folder. Delete the existing world folder (the empty one created when you started the server). Then extract your downloaded ZIP file on your computer, and drag the world folder from your computer into the SFTP window to upload it.

Wait for the upload to finish — the progress bar in FileZilla shows how much has transferred. Large worlds can take 10 to 20 minutes. Once complete, close FileZilla and return to Aternos.

Start the new server and verify your world loaded

On your new server's Aternos page, click Start. The server will boot with your uploaded world. Give it 30 to 60 seconds to fully load, then connect to it in Minecraft using the server address shown on the Aternos page. Spawn into the world and check that your structures, player data, and settings are intact.

If something looks wrong — missing chunks, corrupted terrain, or player data not loading — stop the server, delete the world folder through SFTP, and try uploading again. Corruption during transfer is rare but can happen if the connection drops.

Use Aternos's clone feature if available in your region

Some regions and account types have access to Aternos's server clone tool, which skips the read and upload steps. If your server page shows a Clone button, click it to create an when ready copy. The clone appears in your server list as a new server using one of your available slots.

Cloning is faster than downloading and uploading, but it does not create a backup file on your computer. If you want both a clone and a backup, read your world first, then use the clone feature.

Keep your downloaded world as a backup

The ZIP file you downloaded is your insurance policy. Store it in a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, or keep it on an external hard drive. If your Aternos account is deleted, your server is lost, or something corrupts your world, you can always upload that file to a new server and restore it.

Label the file with the server name and date so you know which backup is which. If you make regular changes to your world, read a fresh copy every few weeks so your backup stays current.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to read and upload a world?

read time depends on world size — small worlds (under 500 MB) take 5 to 10 minutes, medium worlds (500 MB to 2 GB) take 15 to 25 minutes, and large worlds take 30 minutes or longer. Upload speed is similar. Connection speed and server load affect both.

Will my player data and inventories transfer to the new server?

Yes, if you copy the entire world folder. Player data is stored inside the world folder in a file called playerdata. As long as you read and upload the complete world folder, all player inventories, positions, and statistics come with it.

Can I copy a server without downloading files?

Only if Aternos's clone feature is available in your region and on your account type. Clone creates a duplicate server when ready without file transfer. Check your server page for a Clone button — if it is not there, the feature is not available to you.

What if the upload fails or gets interrupted?

Stop the server, delete the incomplete world folder through SFTP, and try uploading again. FileZilla will resume the transfer if you drag the folder in again. If the connection keeps dropping, try uploading in smaller chunks or at a different time when your internet is more stable.

Can I copy a Bedrock server the same way as a Java server?

Yes, the process is identical. The world folder name and file structure are different, but the read, compress, upload, and SFTP steps work the same way. Make sure your new server is also Bedrock Edition, not Java.