Minecraft Backup

Minecraft Backup is a free script for backing up world folders from Minecraft servers running on Linux. It can create tar files or use the restic backup backend, and connect to servers managed with screen or tmux, RCON, or Docker RCON. The script works with vanilla Minecraft servers without plugins and can print backup status messages in Minecraft chat. Cron can schedule regular runs, and the README gives an hourly scheduling example. For old backups, users can choose no deletion, sequential deletion of the oldest backup, or thin retention. Thin retention keeps the last 24 hourly and 30 daily backups, then uses remaining space for weekly backups. Installation requires tar and a compression program, with gzip as the default; RCON use also requires xxd. The project recommends RCON because it waits for the server to confirm saving is complete. A consistency risk remains: player data may become out of sync with world data during backups, potentially duplicating or losing items. The README also warns that a Minecraft bug can cause a backup to fail. Tar backups can be extracted with tar, while restic backups can be restored with restic restore.

Minecraft Backup offers several backup formats, server connection methods, and retention choices for Linux Minecraft worlds. The documented consistency risks make its RCON recommendation worth considering.

This script suits administrators of Linux Minecraft servers who need scheduled world backups and can work with command-line tools. It supports vanilla servers as well as several server connection methods.

Minecraft Backup is a free shell script that saves Linux Minecraft server worlds to local storage. It suits administrators who are comfortable managing a Linux host and want scheduled backups without installing a server plugin. Its choice of archive backend and retention modes is useful, but data consistency depends on how the script connects to the server.

Overview

The script backs up world folders from vanilla servers, so it does not require Minecraft plugins. It can work with servers managed in screen or tmux sessions, or connect through RCON, including Docker RCON. That flexibility serves different self-hosted setups, but this is an administrative tool rather than a graphical backup manager.

Backups are local and cover worlds only. That makes Minecraft Backup a focused option, not a complete safeguard for every file associated with a server. It can print status messages in Minecraft chat, giving players visibility into backup activity. A cron example shows how to schedule hourly runs, while leaving the server owner responsible for configuring and maintaining that schedule.

Key features

• Tar and restic backends: Tar creates archives that can be decompressed and extracted with tar. The restic backend uses restic restore for recovery. The choice accommodates different restore workflows, but the tool does not remove the need to understand and manage the selected one.
• Server connections: Screen and tmux support servers managed in those sessions; RCON and Docker RCON provide alternatives. RCON is the recommended choice for safer backups because it waits for the server to confirm that saving has completed.
• Retention controls: Thin retention preserves the last 24 hourly and 30 daily backups, then uses remaining space for weekly copies. Sequential deletion instead removes the oldest backup, and deletion can also be disabled. The thin policy preserves a useful spread of recovery points, while disabling deletion gives the administrator responsibility for storage growth.
• Dependencies and caveats: The system needs tar and the chosen compression tool, with gzip as the default; RCON use also requires xxd. Player data can become inconsistent with world data during a backup, potentially duplicating or losing items. The README also warns that Minecraft bug MC-217729 can cause a world save after save-off and make a backup fail, so this script should not be treated as a guarantee of clean recovery.

Pricing

Minecraft Backup is free: the Free plan costs nothing. It includes the backup script for Linux Minecraft servers, scheduled backups, local storage, worlds-only scope, and full-backup restore granularity. There is no trial or paid tier to weigh against it; the trade-off is that setup, scheduling, storage management, and recovery remain the operator’s responsibility.

Platforms

The supported platforms are Linux and self-hosted servers. The README directs users to download backup.sh from the latest GitHub release. Docker usage is documented, including use with the itzg/docker-minecraft-server container and RCON CLI, but this remains a server-side workflow.

Who it's for

This is a sensible fit for Linux server administrators who want plugin-free world backups, hourly scheduling, and control over retention and archive format. It is less suitable for operators who need backups beyond world folders, a graphical workflow, or a consistency safeguard that does not depend on server connection behavior.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Works with vanilla servers without plugins, reducing the need to modify the Minecraft server setup.
• Pro: Tar and restic support, multiple connection methods, and three deletion approaches give administrators practical choices for backups and retention.
• Pro: Hourly cron scheduling and chat status messages support automation and visibility.
• Con: Player data can diverge from world data during a backup, with possible item loss or duplication.
• Con: The MC-217729 warning means save-off does not rule out a later world save that can cause failure.
• Con: Local, worlds-only backups and full-backup restore granularity make it a narrow recovery tool rather than a broad server backup system.

Alternatives

Minecraft Backup Software is the directory’s broader comparison page for readers weighing Minecraft backup tools.

• CaCl2Backup is a free, MIT-licensed Fabric server mod, but requires Minecraft 26.0+, Fabric Loader 0.15.0+, Fabric API, and Java 25+; choose it if that mod-based setup fits your server.
• InstantBackup is a free open-source Minecraft server mod for Linux, macOS, self-hosted systems, and Windows; choose it if broader platform support matters.
• BtrBack is a free Linux and self-hosted Minecraft backup plugin that requires a Btrfs subvolume; choose it if that storage setup and a plugin suit your needs.
• DriveBackupV2 is a free, MIT-licensed server plugin for Java 8+ and Bukkit-based servers; choose it if your server uses that Java and Bukkit setup.
• FastBack is a free Minecraft backup mod for Linux, macOS, and Windows, distributed under GNU GPL version 2; choose it if you want a mod across those platforms.
• FolderRewind is a free, open-source option for Windows 10 and 11; choose it if you need a Windows-focused alternative.
• Just Enough Backups is a free, open-source Fabric mod for server-side world backups on Linux, macOS, and Windows; choose it if that mod format and platform coverage fit.
• ServerBackup is a free Linux and self-hosted Minecraft server backup plugin; choose it if you prefer a plugin-based alternative.

Verdict

Choose Minecraft Backup if you run a self-hosted Linux Minecraft server and want free, plugin-free world backups with flexible retention and tar or restic workflows. Its strongest reason to choose it is the control it gives administrators over connection and backup handling. Look elsewhere if you need broader server coverage or want to avoid the consistency risks that make RCON the recommended connection.