Minecraft

How To Install Mods In Minecraft (2026)

A full guide on how to download and install mods in Minecraft including how to use Forge and Fabric.

How To Install Mods In Minecraft (2026)

A guide on how to install mods in Minecraft for singleplayer and multiplayer. We’ll also cover popular mod APIs and loaders like Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge, explain how to manage mods, and share trusted websites to download mods from.

Minecraft is one of the most heavily modded games of all time. Mods can add entirely new dimensions, overhaul game mechanics, and introduce simple QoL improvements. This guide should give you a basic understanding on how to download and install mods on Minecraft!

Requirements

  • Minecraft: Java Edition installed on your PC
    • You can also use others like Bedrock, but steps will likely differ.
  • Java
    • Download from: Adoptium or Oracle
    • The Java version you need depends on the Minecraft version and mod loader you are using. For example, Minecraft 1.18+ generally requires Java 17, while older versions may require Java 8 or Java 11.`
  • Archive extraction software such as 7-Zip
    • For just ZIP files, you can use the built-in extractor in Windows.
    • For Linux, you can use unzip or tar commands in the terminal.
  • An Internet connection and basic undestanding of how to navigate and copy folders and files.

While this guide is intended for Windows users, Linux and macOS users can follow similar steps and our additional guides also cover those platforms more thoroughly.

Back up Your Game Files!

Before installing mods, we strongly recommend backing up your Minecraft worlds and data. Mods can corrupt saves or cause crashes.

Here are some common paths to the Minecraft folder you can try checking:

  • Windows: %APPDATA%\.minecraft
  • MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft
  • Linux: ~/.minecraft

Simply copy and paste the folder somewhere as a backup. It is also recommended you aren't in a Minecraft world while backing up your files.

Choosing a Mod Loader

There are multiple mod loaders that can be used in Minecraft. There isn't any one-size-fits-all solution, so the best choice depends on the mods you want to use.

Here are a few popular ones to choose from!

Fabric (Install Guide)

Fabric is a lightweight and modular mod loader that's known for its performance and compatibility with newer Minecraft versions. It has a growing library of mods and is often the first to support new Minecraft releases. It is known for vanilla-plus mods.

Popular:

Install Guide

Forge (Install Guide)

Forge is one of the oldest and most widely used mod loaders for Minecraft. It has a large and active community, with a vast library of mods available. Forge is known for its stability and compatibility with a wide range of mods, making it a popular choice for modders. It is known for tech mods and large modpacks.

Popular:

Install Guide

NeoForge (Install Guide)

NeoForge is a newer mod loader that aims to be a more modern and efficient alternative to Forge. It is designed to be lightweight and optimized for performance, while still maintaining compatibility with a wide range of mods. NeoForge is known for its focus on stability and ease of use, making it a popular choice for both modders and players.

Popular:

Install Guide

Quilt

Quilt is a newer mod loader that is a fork of Fabric. It aims to provide additional features and improvements while maintaining compatibility with Fabric mods. Quilt is designed to be lightweight and efficient, with a focus on performance and stability. It is known for its active development and community support.

Popular:

WARNING: There are often times where the mod loader you choose will depend on the mods you want to use, so we recommend checking the mod’s description and requirements before choosing a mod loader!

Installing Your Mod Loader

After choosing your mod loader, you'll want to download the tool from the mod loader's website. Websites for popular mod loaders are linked above.

If you did not see above, we've created separate guides for installing Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge on both the Minecraft client and server, so be sure to check those out for detailed instructions if needed!

Our Guides for Installing Mod Loaders

After you've installed your mod loader, you can start downloading and installing mods!

Where to Download Mods

There are many websites that host and distribute mods for Minecraft.

Here are some of the most popular and trusted ones:

WARNING: We recommend reading the mod's description along with the user comments before downloading mods to ensure it's safe and you haven't missed any additional steps or dependencies.

Downloading & Installing Mods

Downloading and installing mods depends on the mod loader and website you're using to download and/or install them.

When finding mods from the websites mentioned earlier, many mods contain specific versions for mod loaders like Forge and Fabric. Make sure to select the correct version depending on your Minecraft version and mod loader!

Using a Mod Manager or Launcher

A dedicated mod manager can simplify the process of downloading, installing, and updating mods and their dependencies. It also helps manage mod packs as well!

Here are some popular mod managers!

Manually

Downloading and installing mods manually is generally more advanced and takes more time, but it can be a good option if you want more control over the installation process or if the mod you want to install isn't available through a mod manager.

The general process is typically as followed, but it can differ based on the mod loader and mod you are installing:

  1. Find a mod to download from a trusted website.
  2. Locate the specific version of the mod you want to download (e.g. Fabric or Forge version).
  3. Download the mod’s .jar file.
  4. Place the .jar file inside of your mods folder located in your Minecraft directory (listed above).
    • If the mods folder doesn’t exist, create it!
  5. Launch Minecraft through the Minecraft Launcher using the profile you've installed the mod loader on, and the mod should be loaded!

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Game Crashes on Launch

  • Make sure the mod version matches your Minecraft and Forge/Fabric version.
  • Check for required libraries (e.g. Fabric API or Architectury).
  • Disable or remove mods one-by-one or in batches to narrow what mod is causing issues.

Incompatible Mods

  • Some mods conflict. Remove mods one by one to find the culprit.
  • Use the latest version of the mod loader.

Performance Drops

  • Install Sodium or OptiFine which help optimize Minecraft (just to note, OptiFine is less Fabric-compatible generally from our experience).
  • Use performance mod packs like Fabulously Optimized.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a basic understanding of downloadind and installing mods along with how to use mod loaders like Forge and Fabric!

With thousands of mods available, you can transform your Minecraft experience into anything you imagine!

See Also

If you have any questions or are looking for a modding community to be a part of, consider joining our Discord server!

Guides we create are always open to edits and improvements, so if you have any suggestions or notice any issues, feel free to contribute by creating a pull request on our GitHub repository!

Happy modding!

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