Direct answer

Download a Folia build matching your Minecraft version from PaperMC, use the required Java release, and first test with a fresh or backed-up world. Folia is not a simple drop-in speed upgrade for an existing Paper server.

Recommended procedure

  1. Make an offline backup of every world and plugin configuration. Record the current game version and Java version with java -version.
  2. Download the exact Folia server JAR from PaperMC’s official downloads and put it in a clean test folder.
  3. Start the server once, accept the EULA only after reading it, and restart.

What to change

java -version
java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar folia.jar --nogui
  1. Launch with a controlled script, adjusting memory and the actual JAR filename to match the download.
  2. Install only plugins whose maintainers explicitly test on Folia. Verify regions, permissions, teleports and player data before moving real traffic.

How to verify the result

Join with a client matching the server, generate chunks, restart safely and confirm world and plugin state. Leave production Paper online until staging passes.

Version and compatibility notes

Java requirements vary by Minecraft release; recent Paper 26.1+ builds use Java 25. Check the target Folia build’s requirement rather than assuming an older Java version. Folia disables some commands and breaks many Paper-only plugins.

Official references

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