Start by checking whether you play Java Edition or Bedrock Edition: the installation routes are different. Java mods and shaders use independently developed files and loaders; Bedrock add-ons are activated for a world, while purchased content is managed through Marketplace.
First, identify your Minecraft edition
Java Edition is the PC edition for Windows, macOS, and Linux and has a community mod ecosystem. Bedrock covers a broader range of platforms, including PC, console, and mobile, and uses Marketplace content and add-ons. Not every device supports every installation route, so check the current platform and version requirements for the content you want. See Minecraft’s Java and Bedrock comparison.
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| Route | Edition and content | How it is installed | Source and support model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java mods | Java Edition; third-party changes to the game | Depends on the mod loader, game version, and launcher or instance | Independently developed software; Mojang does not create, review, or endorse it, and Minecraft Support does not assist with mod-use issues |
| Java shaders | Java Edition; a shader loader such as Iris plus a separate shader pack | Install and launch the compatible loader, then add the pack through its shader-pack menu or folder | The loader guide explains how to load packs; it does not vet particular packs or download sites |
| Bedrock add-ons | Bedrock Edition; resource packs and behavior packs that can add or change game content | Activate the pack in a new or existing world’s settings, or in Realm settings | Marketplace offers a guided route; other supported content may have its own source and instructions |
How to install Java Edition mods
There is no single universal Java mod installer. A mod must match the Minecraft version and the loader it was built for, and it must be installed into the correct launcher profile or game instance. Follow the loader and mod authors’ instructions for the exact setup; the official Minecraft support page does not prescribe or endorse a particular loader.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Check your edition and game version. Confirm that you are launching Java Edition and note the version you intend to play.
- Choose a compatible loader and mod. Check that the mod supports both your Minecraft version and that loader. Read the mod’s installation instructions before downloading files.
- Install the loader and select its profile or instance. Use the loader’s current setup instructions. If you use a launcher with separate instances, make sure you are modifying the instance you actually launch.
- Install the mod as instructed. Some loaders use a
modsfolder, but the correct location depends on the launcher or instance. Use the path and method specified for your setup rather than assuming every installation uses the default game directory. - Launch and check for problems. If the game fails to start, remove the recently added file from that instance and check the game-version, loader-version, and mod compatibility notes before trying again.
Understand the risk and support limits
Mojang says Java mods “are not created, reviewed or endorsed by Mojang Studios”; it advises taking the same precautions as with any independently developed software. Mods can add or remove content, change gameplay, malfunction, or make the game unplayable. Minecraft Support says it cannot assist with issues arising from mod use. Research the source yourself and avoid assuming that a third-party file has been vetted by Mojang. Read Minecraft Help’s guidance on Java Edition mods.
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- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
How to install Java shaders with Iris
A shader setup has two parts: Iris, the loader, and a separate shader pack. Iris’s installation guide, last updated December 8, 2022, documents both standalone installation and use with Fabric. Check the current Iris release, Minecraft version compatibility, and launcher labels before following a version-specific workflow.
Install Iris on its own
- Get the Iris installer from the project’s official guide and run the universal installer.
- Choose the Minecraft version you want to use in the installer.
- Open your launcher and select the resulting Iris profile before launching the game.
Install Iris with Fabric mods
- Use the Iris guide’s Fabric installation route if you want Iris alongside other Fabric mods.
- Put compatible Fabric mods in the active instance’s
modsdirectory. The guide lists these default paths: Windows%APPDATA%.minecraftmods, Linux~/.minecraft/mods, and macOS~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods. A custom launcher or instance may use a different directory. - Launch the Iris profile associated with that Fabric setup.
Add a shader pack
- In Minecraft, open the video settings and go to the Shader Packs tab.
- Drag the shader-pack file into the menu, or open the shader-pack folder and place it there.
- Refresh the list if needed, then select the pack. Consult the pack’s own compatibility notes if it does not appear or work as expected.
The Iris guide describes the loading workflow, not the quality, safety, or compatibility of individual shader packs or third-party download sites. Check a pack’s provenance and version requirements independently.
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- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
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- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
How to add a Bedrock add-on to a world
Bedrock add-ons are activated as Resource packs or Behavior packs. Minecraft says add-ons can introduce or change content such as blocks, items, mobs, and recipes. The activation steps depend on whether the world is new, already exists, or belongs to a Realm. The labels below follow Minecraft Help’s add-on instructions; menus can vary by platform or version.
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Activate an add-on in a new single-player world
- Launch Minecraft and select Play, then create a new world.
- Open the Marketplace content or Create from screen, then choose Resource packs or Behavior packs.
- On the Available tab, activate the add-on you want.
- Create the world.
Activate an add-on in an existing single-player world
- Select Play, then select the pencil icon beside the world you want to change.
- Open Resource packs or Behavior packs.
- On the Available tab, activate the add-on and then play the world.
Activate an add-on on a Realm
- Open Play > Realms, select the Realm, and open Settings.
- Select a world slot and choose Edit World.
- Under Add-Ons, open Resource Packs or Behavior Packs and activate the add-on.
- Confirm the change, return, and wait for the upload to finish before joining. Players connecting to that Realm automatically download and apply the add-ons activated on it.
Find and use purchased Bedrock Marketplace content
To access content already acquired on your account, launch Bedrock and open Marketplace > My Library. Find the item under Owned or Marketplace Pass, then choose the available action: Download, Create this World, or Equip. Minecraft says purchased Marketplace content can be downloaded to your device after purchase; see Minecraft Help’s Marketplace content instructions.
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Choose the route that fits your setup
- Choose Java mods when you want third-party changes to Java Edition and are prepared to match mods to a loader, version, and launcher instance. Those files are not Mojang-reviewed or supported by Minecraft Support.
- Choose Iris shaders when you play Java and want to load a compatible shader pack through a shader loader. The pack and loader are separate components.
- Choose Bedrock add-ons when you play Bedrock and want to activate content for a world through its resource-pack or behavior-pack settings.
- Choose Marketplace content when you want Bedrock content managed through your account’s library; Pass access has catalog and subscription conditions.
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