MCA Selector FAQ
Straight answers about MCA Selector — the current version, the Java requirement, Bedrock, saving, and safe downloads. Every answer below sticks to what the project itself documents.
What is MCA Selector?
MCA Selector is a free, open-source tool by Querz for editing Minecraft Java Edition world saves outside the game. It shows a top-down map of your world and lets you select chunks and regions to delete, export, import or batch-edit. This site is an unofficial resource for it — the project’s home is its GitHub repository. If you are new, start with how to use MCA Selector.
What is the current version of MCA Selector?
The current release is version 2.9, published on 15 September 2026. It adds support for Minecraft 26.3 and new zoom options. The previous release, 2.8 (June 2026), added the macOS and Linux packages. See the MCA Selector version history for what changed in each release, and the download page for the current files.
Is MCA Selector free?
Yes. MCA Selector is free and open source under the MIT licence, and the source code is public on GitHub. There is no paid tier and no account to create. This resource site is free to read as well; some links to other products on it are affiliate links, which we explain in our affiliate disclosure.
Do I need Java to run MCA Selector?
It depends on which file you download. Since version 2.8, the Windows installer pre-packages its Java runtime, so if you install the .exe you do not need to install Java separately. The plain .jar file is different: it needs a 64-bit Java runtime — JRE 21 or newer — with JavaFX included or installed separately. Our Java and JavaFX setup guide walks through the options, including runtimes that bundle JavaFX.
Does MCA Selector work with Minecraft Bedrock Edition?
No. MCA Selector only reads Java Edition worlds, which are stored as .mca region files. Bedrock Edition stores worlds in a LevelDB database, a different format, and the author has stated there are no plans to support it. Bedrock players need a different tool — the honest details are in does MCA Selector work with Bedrock?
Which Minecraft versions does MCA Selector support?
MCA Selector 2.9 opens Java Edition worlds from Minecraft 1.2.1 up to 26.3 and later — in data terms, DataVersion up to 5023+. If your world is newer than your copy of the tool, update the tool first: an old MCA Selector opening a new world is a common cause of crashes. The full table is in the Minecraft DataVersion guide.
How do I save my changes in MCA Selector?
There is no save step, and that is the most common misunderstanding about this tool. Deleting chunks and applying NBT Changer edits writes to your world files immediately. The one exception is the single-chunk editor, where you must click Apply to write that chunk. Our explainer on changes not saving covers how this works and why a change can appear to go missing.
Can I undo a chunk deletion?
No. MCA Selector has no undo, and deletions are instant and permanent — the official documentation says so in exactly those terms. The only way back is a backup you made beforehand. Follow the local + cloud backup workflow and keep the pre-edit copy until you have checked the edited world in game.
Does MCA Selector work on Mac and Linux?
Yes. Since version 2.8 there are native packages: a .dmg for macOS (separate builds for Apple Silicon and Intel) and .deb and .rpm packages for Linux (x64 and aarch64). There is no official Flatpak. Setup details are in the macOS installation guide and the Linux installation guide.
Are worlds from Minecraft snapshots supported?
Not officially. The project states there is no guarantee that worlds generated in a snapshot version will work, and old snapshots of past releases are not officially supported. A snapshot world may open fine — but back it up first and treat any edit as experimental.
Where can I get an older version of MCA Selector?
Every release is kept on the project’s GitHub releases page, so you can download an older build if you need one — for example to match an older world. Note that the match matters in the other direction too: use a current tool for a current world. Our version history shows which release added support for which Minecraft version.
Is MCA Selector safe to download?
The tool is MIT open source, which means its code is public and auditable. The real risk is the source you download it from: the project README names the official GitHub repository as the only official and safe place to download it, and the author has publicly flagged an impersonating lookalike site. Download the official files, then verify the SHA-256 hash published on our download page before running anything. Our full answer is in is MCA Selector safe?
Still stuck? The troubleshooting hub collects the error-specific guides, and the download page always carries the current release.