How to Install Minecraft Mods

This step-by-step guide will teach you exactly how to install Minecraft mods safely.

1. Backup Your Minecraft Installation

The first thing you need to do is locate your save games and back them up. Do this every single time you install a new mod. I know it takes a little extra time, but it’s very important that you don’t skip this step, because you’ll regret not doing this if a mod happens to corrupt your game!

To back up your Minecraft saves, look for the /minecraft/saves folder. This folder will probably have multiple subfolders in it. Each subfolder is a save for a different world you’ve played in. Copy these folders and create a new folder elsewhere called something like /minecraft-backup-april-14-2015/. Then paste all of those subfolders into your new folder to keep them safe. If your games ends up corrupted, you can delete the current saved games and copy the backups into your saves folder.

2. Look for Instructions

Almost all mods come with an instruction file that teaches you how to install that specific mod. Look in the file you downloaded to see if it came with instructions, and then follow them exactly as they say.

3. Use Forge

The easiest way to install a mod is to use another mod called Forge. Forge will allow you to install most mods quickly and easily, but occasionally a mod isn’t compatible with Forge. In this case, you’ll have to install that mod manually. But Forge will work for most mods.

Downloading Forge for Minecraft

Download Forge (http://files.minecraftforge.net)
Make sure you download the Forge version that is compatible with your Minecraft version
Download the one that says “Recommended” if you’ve never downloaded Forge before (see image below)
Be sure not to click on any ads, because they can look deceptive and trick you into downloading malware

Installing Forge for Minecraft

Once the file has downloaded, scan it with you antivirus scanner (such as Malwarebytes) to be sure no hackers have installed malicious code in the file. The creators most likely would NOT do this, but you never know when a hacker might infiltrate their system and do it.

Locate the file on your hard drive and double click it. Then select “Install Client”.

Launch Minecraft

Once you’ve installed Forge, launch your Minecraft game. You’ll notice in the profiles drop-down menu that you have a profile called “Forge”. If you log into this profile and click Play, you will see a menu option called Mods. Once you see that, you can close Minecraft and download more mods.

Download Mods

Locate and download the mod or mods of your choice. Be sure to download them from a reputable site like this one to be sure you’re getting the real mod and not a version that has been infected with a virus. (See our post: Do Minecraft Mods Have Viruses? for important safety information!)

Install the Mod

Once you find a mod you want to install and you have already installed Forge, simply copy the .zip file you downloaded into the mods folder that Forge created when you installed it. That’s all you have to do!

Open Minecraft

When you load Minecraft the next time, you’ll see the mods that you put into the mods folder listed under a menu option called Mods. They’re ready to use!

4. Install Mods Manually

If you can’t use Forge for some reason, or if you find a mod that isn’t compatible with Forge, you can always install your mod manually. I highly recommend using Forge, but if you can’t or really don’t want to, then follow these instructions.

Backup Your Game

The most important thing you must do before you install ANYTHING is to back up your game files. Locate minecraft.jar and copy that to a backup folder. Then locate the folder minecraft/saves and minecraft/stats and back those up.

Here are the places you will commonly find your Minecraft files on your computer:

Windows 7 and 8
C:\Users\user name\AppData\Roaming\

Windows Vista/XP
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\

Mac OSX
~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/

Download the Mod

Check to be sure the mod is compatible with your current Minecraft version. Then download it to your hard drive.

Scan the Mod

Scan the mod with your antivirus software to be certain that it is free of malware.

Download Necessary Partner Mods

Some mods require other mods to function properly. If so, you’ll need to download the supporting mod and install it before you install the mod you want to use.

Install the Mod

There will usually be a file called readme or installation or something similar that will teach you how to install that particular mod. Follow those instructions to install the file.

Delete the META-INF Folder

There is a folder that will keep Minecraft from running if it detects that the game has been tampered with. So in order to use the mods, you will have to delete this folder. Just be sure to back it up first in case something goes wrong!