Once you have explored all the corners of vanilla Minecraft, you might be wondering what’s next? There’s always waiting for the next update, but not every content update can change up the game. It’s sometimes just a small change, so there might not be enough to do between each update. So, there’s only one thing to do: install some mods.
Modding Minecraft is when the horizon of what is possible expands. Explore new worlds, build megafactories, populate the world with new and bizarre creatures. With how vast the modding scene is, it can be hard to know where to start.
What are Minecraft mods?
To start off, we have to establish what mods are. A mod is a small piece of software that can add or change content of a game. These could be small quality-of-life changes, mods that change how easy or hard the game is, or new features in the world to explore.
Mods can be found on platforms such as Curseforge or Modrinth, and they will require a Mod Loader in order to install into the game. Some common mod loaders include Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge. Installing a mod loader is as simple as running the respective installer, or you can use a modded launcher such as the Curseforge launcher to quickly install a mod loader.
What should I do before I start modding the game?
Modding is changing how the game is intended to work. Because of this, if a mod is not installed correctly, experiences a major bug, or mods are changed, it can impact the game and your save files.
As such, before you start modding the game or make any big changes to a modpack, back up any worlds you want to keep. This is as simple as copying the desired folders in your saves folder, or copying the entire saves folder to create a backup of every save.
You should also research the kinds of mods you want to install. Each mod shows which version of the game and which mod loader a mod is compatible with, so if there are two or more mods you want to install, check to see if they share the same version and loader.
On websites such as Curseforge, mods will have a compatible version and mod loader listed. This mod is compatible with Minecraft 1.21.1, and it requires NeoForge.
Lastly, you should also have a launcher that can manage mods easily. The default Minecraft launcher can work, but managing mods will require manually downloading and deleting files. Using a third-party launcher such as the Curseforge launcher can easily manage mods while using different game versions.
How do I install mods?
To install mods to your own game, the first thing you will need to do is get an installer. First, check what mod loader the mod is compatible with. On Curseforge, each file will have a tag for which mod loader it is compatible with, as well as the game version it is compatible with. Next, go to the respective website for that mod loader, select the version, then download and run the installer. Once run, you’re ready to install mods!
Running an installer will install the mod loader to the default Minecraft launcher’s directory. However, if you have a different installer such as Curseforge, you can create a game profile to quickly install a mod loader.
Installing a mod loader is very simple. Head over to the mod loader's download page, pick out the version you need, then run the installer. This will install to the vanilla directory.
Once you have a mod loader, you can now install mods! Where the files will be located will depend on which launcher you are using. When you find the game directory, look for a folder called mods. This will be where you copy the mod files into.
A successful installation will create a folder called "mods". Copy over the mod files you have downloaded, and if the requirements are met, you will have mods loading.
What are modpacks?
There are countless mods for Minecraft, and it can be hard to pick one, or a hundred. This is where modpacks come in. A modpack can be a collection of themed mods, a tailored experience, or simply an assortment of mods gathered into one package. Generally speaking, a modpack contains mods that can work together in a way that creates a new experience.
Modpacks are a tailored modding experience, crafting a list of mods and settings to create a specific modding experience. There's hundreds of modpacks to explore!
Modpacks will come with all the files necessary to play, such as any specific configs, options, and scripts. However, because modpacks can get big, it’s better to use the Curseforge launcher as it knows how to download all the necessary files.
How do I install a modpack?
As modpacks can contain hundreds of mods, it can take a long time to install each mod individually. This is where launchers such as Curseforge, Technic, and FTB come in. These platforms host modpacks, so their respective launchers can quickly and easily download a modpack with all the correct settings and mods.
Instructions on how to install a modpack will vary, depending on where the modpack is originally hosted. As an example, a modpack hosted on Curseforge will require using the Curseforge Launcher to search and install, while a Technic modpack will use the Technic Launcher.
When you find a modpack you want to play with, click on the Install button, and this will install everything you need. Launchers such as Curseforge are recommended for installing modpacks.
Some other third-party launchers can manage modpacks across various platforms, allowing for any modpack to be installed from any supported platform. Be aware that some platforms may require exclusively using their launcher due to download restrictions. If you are using a third-party launcher but you can’t find the modpack, you may need to use a different launcher.
Can I play with mods on a server?
Yes, as long as the server is able to run mods, you can create or join a server with mods installed. In order to create a modded server, you will need to install the server files of your desired mod loader, copy the mod files into the mods folder where the server files were installed, then run the script that was generated to start the server.
In order to join a modded server, you will need the same mods that are installed on the server. Say we have a server with Twilight Forest installed, we will also need this mod installed, too. Each mod also has a version, so make sure that the same mods also have the same versions installed.
Mods not only need to be compatible with the game version and mod loader. All mods will have another number, which is the version of the mod. Make sure that this number matches both the client and server sides.
Some mods are not compatible with servers. In most cases, this is due to a mod being “client-side”, which means that the changes a mod introduces has no effect on the server as it does not exist. Such changes can be anything that is displayed, rendered, or any controller inputs as dedicated servers don’t have a screen or keyboard.
Can I play a modpack on a server?
Yes, a modpack can also be uploaded to a server in a similar manner. Some modpacks are just a collection of mods, but others may also require uploading additional folders, such as for folders, scripts, or a world if the modpack comes with a custom world. It will require a little additional setup compared to just uploading mods, but once the server is up and running, all you need to do is install the modpack to your own game, and you’ll be playing with a modpack on a server.
Install a modpack onto a server with a single click!
However, there’s an easier way to upload a modpack to a server. In fact, you don’t even need to upload a single file, because we provide a one-click installation for hundreds of modpacks! Simply look for a modpack to install on a server, click the install button, and you’re set to create a brand new server with all the files for that modpack ready to go. Don’t have a plan yet? Get started now by purchasing one of our affordable plans. Don’t forget to check out our handy guides to help get started with your own server.