How to Install Minecraft Mods (Java Edition)
Mods only work on Java Edition. Bedrock uses add-ons, not mods. This guide covers Fabric and Forge on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you are on a console or mobile, stop here — none of this applies [citation:1].
What you need before starting
- Minecraft Java Edition installed and launched at least once.
- A mod loader — Fabric or Forge. Pick based on the mod you want, not the other way around.
- The exact Minecraft version the mod supports. A 1.20.1 mod will not run on 1.20.2 [citation:4].
Step 1: Choose Fabric or Forge
Fabric is lighter, updates faster to new Minecraft versions, and is required for performance mods like Sodium. Forge has the largest mod library, especially for large content and tech mods. NeoForge is a newer fork of Forge for 1.20.2 and above. They are not interchangeable — a Fabric mod will not load on Forge [citation:4].
Check the mod page. It will say "Fabric" or "Forge" or "NeoForge." That decides your loader.
Step 2: Install the loader
Fabric: Go to fabricmc.net, download the installer for your Minecraft version, run it, and select "Install Client."
Forge: Go to files.minecraftforge.net, download the installer for your version, run it, and select "Install Client" [citation:1][citation:4].
After installation, open the Minecraft Launcher. You should see a new profile named "fabric-loader" or "forge" in the bottom-left dropdown.
Step 3: Find the mods folder
Launch Minecraft once with the new loader profile. This creates the mods folder if it does not exist.
Windows: Press Win + R, type %appdata%\.minecraft, press Enter. Open the mods folder.
macOS: Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, type ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft. Open mods.
Linux: Open ~/.minecraft/mods [citation:1][citation:4].
Step 4: Download mods
Use CurseForge or Modrinth. Both are established platforms with version histories and dependency listings. Avoid sites that promise "premium mods free" or require you to run an installer — a mod should be a .jar file you drop in a folder, nothing else [citation:6].
Download the .jar for your exact Minecraft version and loader. Do not rename it.
Step 5: Check dependencies
Many mods require other mods to run. Cloth Config, Architectury, and GeckoLib are common dependencies. The mod page lists them under "Relations" or "Dependencies." Missing one causes a crash on startup, not a warning [citation:4][citation:12].
Download every required dependency and put it in the mods folder alongside the main mod.
Step 6: Launch and test
Put the .jar files in the mods folder. Launch Minecraft with the loader profile. If the game reaches the main menu, the mod loaded. If it crashes, see the next section.
If the game crashes on launch
Remove the last mod you added and try again. If it launches, that mod was the problem. If you added several at once, remove half and test. This is the binary search method and it is faster than removing mods one by one [citation:8].
The crash report is in crash-reports inside your Minecraft folder. Open it and search for the first line containing a mod name or a package that is not net.minecraft. That is usually the culprit. The crash log guide covers this in detail.
What about modpacks?
The CurseForge App and Modrinth App can install modpacks automatically, including the loader, dependencies, and configuration. This is the easier path if you want a pre-built experience rather than assembling mods yourself [citation:4][citation:12].