Introduction

Minecraft is a wonderful game that offers endless hours of play out of the box. But have you ever thought, “I want realistic graphics,” “I want to add new items and mobs,” or “I want to add convenient features”?

This is exactly what “Mods” allow you to do. In this article, we will explain everything from basic knowledge to step-by-step installation instructions and how to launch your game with mods, especially for beginners who have never modded Minecraft (Java Edition) before.

1. Prerequisites Before Installing Mods

① Java Edition Only

Minecraft has two main editions: “Java Edition (PC)” and “Bedrock Edition (Switch, PS4/5, Mobile, Windows Store)”. Mod installation is only supported on the “Java Edition”. The Bedrock Edition uses “Add-ons” through the official marketplace and does not support the Java-style mods explained in this guide.

② “Mod Loader” is Required

To run mods in Minecraft, you need a “Mod Loader (Prerequisite Mod)” that acts as a bridge between the mods and Minecraft itself. Currently, the two most popular mod loaders are:

1. Forge: The most established and widely used loader. Many large-scale game overhaul mods use this.
2. Fabric: Known for being lightweight and updating quickly to support new Minecraft versions. Many performance tweaks and utility mods use this.

Note: Generally, Forge mods and Fabric mods are not compatible with each other. Make sure to check which loader your desired mod supports beforehand.

2. Step-by-Step Installation for Mod Loader (Example: Forge)

Here, we will explain the installation process using Forge as an example.

Step 1: Install Java

To run installers like Forge, you need “Java (JDK)” installed on your PC. If you don’t have it, download and install the latest Java version from Oracle’s official website or similar trusted sources.

Step 2: Launch Vanilla Minecraft Once

If you have never run the Minecraft version you wish to mod (e.g., 1.20.4) on your PC, launch it once from the launcher and close it after the main menu appears. This ensures all necessary base files are generated.

Step 3: Download Forge

1. Visit the Official Forge Website.
2. Select your desired Minecraft version from the left menu.
3. Click the “Installer” button (if an ad page appears, wait a few seconds and click the “Skip” button in the top right corner).

Step 4: Install Forge

1. Double-click the downloaded .jar file to launch it.
2. Ensure “Install client” is selected and click “OK”.
3. Once the installation is complete, click “OK” to close the dialog.

Now your Mod Loader is ready!

3. How to Download and Place Mods

Step 1: Find Mods

Always download mods from safe, major hosting sites:

• CurseForge
• Modrinth

Make sure the file (.jar) matches your Minecraft version and Mod Loader (Forge or Fabric).

Step 2: Open the Mods Folder

1. Press the “Windows key + R” simultaneously on your keyboard.
2. Type %appdata%\.minecraft in the window and click “OK”.
3. Look for a folder named mods. (If it doesn’t exist, right-click and create a new folder named mods).

Step 3: Place the Mod Files

Copy and paste the downloaded mod .jar files directly into the mods folder.

4. Launching Minecraft and Verification

1. Open the Minecraft Launcher.
2. Select the “forge” profile from the drop-down menu to the left of the “Play” button.
3. Click “Play”. (If a warning dialog appears, review it, check the box, and proceed).
4. If a “Mods” button is added to the Minecraft main menu, the installation was successful! Click it to see a list of installed mods.

Summary and Safety Notes

Modding multiplies the fun of Minecraft, but always keep these points in mind:

• Back up your worlds regularly: Mods carry the risk of corrupting your save files.
• Watch your PC specs: Running too many mods can slow down your PC performance.
• Follow multiplayer rules: Some servers prohibit specific mods (like cheats).

Stay safe and enjoy your modded Minecraft life to the fullest!