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 created by other community members, aside from official updates. However, modding isn’t necessarily easy, especially not for beginners. That’s why today we’re giving you a complete guide on the topic, so you can get started without any problems!
What are Minecraft Mods? A Simple Explanation
The word “mods” is short for “modifications,” which means an adaptation of 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 that offers these possibilities. An early example would be the first DOOM, which already allowed mods for new maps back then. Skyrim is also a very well-known example, as the game would certainly not have been so successful for so long without mods.
Minecraft also thrives on mods created by the community. Since the early alpha, players have been making initial attempts to construct new content for Minecraft and share it with others. Nowadays, there are thousands of mods, some with several million downloads.
Where Can I Safely Download Minecraft Mods?
Your absolute best source for mods is the website CurseForge, the most comprehensive and best site for mods of all kinds. 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 customizations 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 you mod your game, you should meet some requirements. For example, this post 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 the installation of many mods. Sometimes you may need a different version. Check the official site or keep an eye on automatic updates.
At the same time, you must ensure that you have selected the correct Minecraft version. Because sometimes mods aren’t prepared for the current update but for earlier versions. Then create an additional Minecraft instance that matches 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.
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 enough.
Installing Modloaders 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 infrastructure.
The two major modloaders are Forge and Fabric. It doesn’t really matter which loader you use, only that all subsequent mods are also available for that loader. Each mod’s description will indicate which loader it is intended for. And many mods work on both programs. Two other modloaders are NeoForge and Quilt, but they 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, but gaining more popularity. |
| Number of Available Mods | A lot of mods available, especially older mods are based on Forge. | Many new mods, especially lightweight 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. | Slimmer and faster, especially with smaller mod collections. |
| Beginner-Friendliness | Many tutorials available, but sometimes a bit more complex due to complexity. | Very easy to get started, 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, as they are complex. | Very fast updates after 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 for version 1.16.5 as an example. Go to the website for Forge and download the correct version you want to mod. A Java file will be downloaded, which you simply run with a double click to install the client.
Then restart your Minecraft launcher. Forge should be available there as the latest instance. Check again to ensure all settings, such as RAM, have been adopted. Then you need to start Minecraft with Forge once to complete the installation. After that, you can close the game again.
Installing Mods with Minecraft Forge: Guide
As described, you can download mods from CurseForge or Modrinth. Always pay attention to the correct version, both for your game and for the correct modloader. These will also be Java files. However, you don’t need to install them with a double click; instead, just move them into 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. That’s where your downloaded mods belong. They install automatically when you start the game. They are also accessible from the main menu in Minecraft.
Note: Many mods have so-called dependencies, meaning additional mods that are required for installation. Always read the notes on the respective page carefully and look for the additional mods you may need. Otherwise, the mods may not work properly.
What Minecraft Mods Are There? Overview & Tips
You’re probably wondering what mods you can actually install. Here, there are virtually no limits to your creativity. Since Minecraft is now over 15 years old, there are also plenty of mods to discover. So you certainly won’t get bored quickly – quite the opposite!
There are mods for:
- Improved Performance: Most people probably still know OptiFine, but by now, mods like Sodium or Iris Shader are much more suitable.
- “Quality of Life” Modifications: These mods don’t necessarily bring new game content but improve the classic “Vanilla” experience. This can include minimaps, new keybindings, or shaders.
- New Game Content: There is really an extremely wide selection of these mods. Some offer you 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 target a specific theme. Some focus more on technology, while others go more towards fantasy.
Installing Minecraft Mods on Servers: Here’s How
Mods can also be installed on a server, allowing you to play with your friends. For example, modpacks can be directly added during purchase or installation of the server with us.
Conclusion: How to Install Minecraft Mods Easily and Safely
With mods, endless possibilities are open to you to customize Minecraft to your liking. It’s probably no wonder the game is still so popular, as the normal features often aren’t enough. There are so many great mods to discover to drive away boredom! Rent your own Minecraft server and also play with your friends together on a modded Minecraft server to discover many new facets of the game.
