If you’ve been playing Minecraft for a long time, you’re probably familiar with some mods. Both aspects are closely linked, as Minecraft offers many great opportunities to expand the core game. This allows you to add many more exciting features aside from official updates, created by other community members. However, modding is not always easy, especially for beginners. That’s why we’re giving you a complete guide on the subject today, so you can get started without any problems!
What Are Minecraft Mods? A Simple Explanation
The word “mods” is short for “modifications,” meaning a type of adjustment to a program. This allows things in video games to be changed that are not directly intended by the official developers. Minecraft is by no means the only game offering these possibilities. An early example would be the first DOOM, which allowed mods for new maps back then. Skyrim is also a very well-known example, as the game likely wouldn’t have been as successful for so long without mods.
Minecraft also thrives on mods created by the community. Since the early alpha, players have made first attempts to construct new content for Minecraft and share it with others. 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 types of mods. Over the years, this platform has become the best starting point for finding mods and installing the correct version. You can also download resource packs (texture packs), shaders, and other adjustments there, which are also part of Minecraft modding. Modrinth is another good website that is recently on the rise.
What Are the PC Requirements for Minecraft Mods?
Before you mod your game, you should meet some requirements. For example, this guide only applies to the Java version, as modding is only partially possible on Bedrock and only through the Marketplace. 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 pay attention to automatic updates.
At the same time, you need to make sure you have 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 matches your modding version. Popular versions for modding are 1.7.10, 1.12.2, or 1.16.5, as these are the last versions before significant updates.
In your Minecraft instance, you can also add more RAM to ensure sufficient performance. Some mods are very resource-intensive. A good benchmark is half of your available computer RAM, but 4G or 6G is usually sufficient.
Installing a Modloader for Minecraft: Forge or Fabric?
Now it’s about how you can actually install mods. First, you need a so-called “modloader.” This is a kind of base mod that enables Minecraft for modding and provides the software-technical 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 states directly in the description what it’s intended for. Many mods also run on both programs. Two other modloaders are NeoForge and Quilt, but these are not as important.
Forge vs. Fabric: Which Modloader Is Right for You?
| Criterion | Forge | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity & Distribution | Very well-known, the largest and oldest modloader for Minecraft. | Newer and more modern, but gaining more and more 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) mostly use Forge. | Lighter, modern modpacks more often rely on Fabric. |
| Performance | Can be performance-intensive with many mods. | Slimmer and faster, especially with smaller mod collections. |
| Beginner-Friendliness | Many guides available, but due to complexity, sometimes a bit more complicated. | 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 are often later due to complexity. | Very fast updates after new Minecraft versions. |
In Summary:
- Forge: Perfect for large modpacks, many extensive mods, and classic tech or fantasy extensions.
- Fabric: Ideal for quick, lightweight mod collections, performance improvements, and new Minecraft versions.
Installing Minecraft Forge: Here’s How
We’ll show you using the example of Forge for version 1.16.5. Go to the Forge website and download the correct version you want to mod. A Java file will be downloaded, which you simply need to 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 see if all settings such as RAM have been adopted. Then you need to start Minecraft once with Forge to complete the installation. You can then close the game for now.
Installing Mods with Minecraft Forge: Instructions
You can download mods, as described, from CurseForge or Modrinth. Always pay attention to the correct version, both for your game and the right modloader. These will also be Java files. However, you do not need to install them by double-clicking, but simply move them to a specific folder.
Go back to 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. And that’s where your downloaded mods belong. They install automatically when you start the game. They can also be accessed from the main menu in Minecraft.
Note: Many mods have so-called dependencies, meaning additional mods required for installation. Always read the notes on the respective page carefully and look for additional mods you may need. Otherwise, the mods might not work properly.
What Minecraft Mods Are Available? Overview & Tips
You’re probably also wondering which mods you can install. Here, your creativity knows no bounds. Since Minecraft is now over 15 years old, there are plenty of mods to discover. So, you certainly won’t get bored anytime soon – quite the opposite!
There are mods for:
- Improved Performance: Most people probably know OptiFine, but mods like Sodium or Iris Shader are now much better suited.
- “Quality of Life” Modifications: These mods don’t necessarily bring new gameplay content but improve the classic “vanilla” experience. These can include minimaps, new key combinations, or shaders.
- New Gameplay Content: There’s a vast selection of these mods. Some offer you a completely different Minecraft and expand the normal game with truly 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 also be installed on a server so you can play with your friends. For example, modpacks can be added directly when purchasing or installing the server with us.
Conclusion: How to Install Minecraft Mods Easily and Safely
With mods, endless possibilities are open to you to shape Minecraft according to your wishes. It’s no wonder the game is still so popular, as the normal features are often not enough. There are so many great mods to discover to ward off boredom! Rent your own Minecraft server and play together with your friends on a modded Minecraft server to discover many new facets of the game.
