If you’ve been playing Minecraft for a long time, you’re likely familiar with some mods. These two aspects are closely connected, as Minecraft offers many great possibilities to enhance the base game. This allows you to add many exciting features aside from official updates, created by other community members. However, modding is not necessarily easy, especially not for beginners. That’s why today we’re providing you with a complete guide on the subject, so you can get started without any problems!
What Are Minecraft Mods? A Simple Explanation
The word “mods” is short for “modifications,” essentially meaning an adaptation of a program. This allows changes to be made in video games that are not directly intended by the official developers. Minecraft is by no means the only game that offers these possibilities. An early example would be the first DOOM, which allowed mods for new maps even back then. Skyrim is another well-known example, as the game likely wouldn’t be as successful without mods.
Minecraft also thrives on mods created by the community. Since the early alpha, players have been making first attempts to construct and share new content for Minecraft. Today, there are thousands of mods, some with several million downloads.
Where Can I Safely Download Minecraft Mods?
Your absolute best resource for mods is the website CurseForge, the most comprehensive and best site for all kinds of mods. Over the years, this platform has established itself and is now the best starting point to find mods and install the right version. You can also download resource packs (texture packs), shaders, and other customisations there, which are also part of Minecraft modding. Modrinth is another good website that has recently been on the rise.
What Are the PC Requirements for Minecraft Mods?
Before modding your game, you should meet some prerequisites. For example, this post is only applicable to the Java version, as modding on Bedrock is only partially and through the Marketplace possible. Therefore, use Minecraft Java if you want to mod.
Java is also the right keyword, as you should keep Java up to date for installing many mods. Sometimes you may need a different version. Check the official site or keep an eye on the automatic updates.
At the same time, you must ensure that you’ve selected the correct Minecraft version. Sometimes mods are not prepared for the current update but for earlier versions. Then create an additional Minecraft instance that corresponds to your modding version. Popular versions for modding include 1.7.10, 1.12.2, or 1.16.5, as these are the last versions before significant updates.
You can also add more RAM directly in your Minecraft instance to ensure sufficient performance. Some mods are very resource-intensive. A good guideline is half of your available computer RAM, but 4G or 6G is usually enough.
Installing a Modloader for Minecraft: Forge or Fabric?
Now it’s about how you can actually install mods. First, you need a “modloader.” This is a kind of base mod that opens up Minecraft for modding and provides the software infrastructure.
The two major modloaders are Forge and Fabric. It doesn’t really matter which loader you use, but all subsequent mods must also be available for this loader. Each mod’s description specifies which loader it’s intended for. Many mods run on both programs. Two other modloaders are NeoForge and Quilt, but these are not as important.
Forge vs. Fabric: Which Modloader Suits You?
| Criterion | Forge | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity & Distribution | Very well-known, largest and oldest modloader for Minecraft. | Newer and more modern, gaining increasing popularity. |
| Number of Available Mods | Very many mods available, especially older mods are based on Forge. | Many new mods, especially light and performance mods (e.g., Sodium, Iris Shader). |
| Compatibility with Large Modpacks | Large and complex modpacks (e.g., Technic, Feed the Beast) usually use Forge. | Lighter, modern modpacks more often rely on Fabric. |
| Performance | Can be performance-intensive with many mods. | Sleeker and faster, especially with smaller mod collections. |
| Beginner Friendliness | Many guides available, but can be more complex due to the complexity. | Very easy to start, especially with fewer mods. |
| Mod Selection for Tech/Fantasy | Many large tech and fantasy mods (e.g., IndustrialCraft, Thaumcraft). | More performance and QoL mods, but fewer large content mods. |
| Updates and Speed | Updates for new Minecraft versions often later, due to complexity. | Very fast updates following new Minecraft versions. |
In Summary:
- Forge: Perfect for large modpacks, many extensive mods, and classic tech or fantasy expansions.
- Fabric: Ideal for quick, lightweight mod collections, performance improvements, and new Minecraft versions.
Installing Minecraft Forge: Here’s How
We’ll show you using Forge as an example for version 1.16.5. Go to the Forge website and download the correct version you want to mod. The download will provide a Java file, which you simply double-click to run and install the client.
Then restart your Minecraft launcher. Forge should be directly available as the latest instance. Check again to ensure all settings, like RAM, have been applied. Then you need to start Minecraft with Forge once to complete the installation. Afterwards, you can close the game again.
Installing Mods with Minecraft Forge: Instructions
As described, you can download mods from CurseForge or Modrinth. Always pay attention to the correct version for your game and the right modloader. These will also be Java files. However, you don’t need to install them by double-clicking but rather move them to a specific folder.
Go back into the Minecraft launcher and to “Installations.” There you can open the installation folder next to “Play.” In this folder, you will find a “mods” folder. This is where your downloaded mods belong. They will automatically install themselves when you start the game. They can also be accessed from the main menu in Minecraft.
Note: Many mods have so-called dependencies, which are additional mods needed for installation. Always read the notes on the respective page carefully and search for the additional mods you might need. Otherwise, the mods might not work correctly.
What Minecraft Mods Are Available? Overview & Tips
You’re probably wondering what mods you can install. Here, your creativity is practically limitless. As Minecraft is now over 15 years old, there are plenty of mods to discover. So you won’t get bored quickly – quite the opposite!
There are mods for:
- Improved Performance: Most are likely familiar with OptiFine, but mods like Sodium or Iris Shader are now much better suited.
- “Quality of Life” Modifications: These mods don’t necessarily bring new game content but improve the classic “vanilla” experience. These can include mini-maps, new key combinations, or shaders.
- New Game Content: There is truly a wide selection of these mods. Some offer a completely different Minecraft and expand the normal game with really exciting ideas!
- Modpacks: These are collections of mods that fit well together and often focus on a specific theme. Some focus more on technology, while others lean more towards fantasy.
Installing Minecraft Mods on Servers: Here’s How It Works
Mods can of course also be installed on a server, allowing you to play with your friends. For example, modpacks can be added directly when purchasing or installing the server with us.
Conclusion: How to Easily and Safely Install Minecraft Mods
With mods, countless possibilities are open to you to customise Minecraft to your liking. It’s no wonder the game is likely still so popular, as the normal features are often not enough. There are so many great mods to discover to stave off boredom! Rent your own Minecraft server and play with your friends on a modded Minecraft server to discover many new facets of the game.
