How to install Forge in Minecraft
Install Minecraft Forge from its official site, avoid fake downloads, create the launcher profile and put your mods in the mods folder.
Forge is the oldest mod loader for Minecraft Java Edition. It keeps releasing for new game versions and has the largest collection of mods for older versions.
Before you start
- Open the official launcher at least once with the Minecraft version you will use.
- Close the launcher.
- The installer is a
.jar. You need a recent Java installed to run it. If it does not open, install Java from Adoptium (Eclipse Temurin).
1. Download the installer
The only official site is files.minecraftforge.net. In the left column pick your Minecraft version and download the Installer of the Recommended build or, if there is none yet for that version, the Latest.
Watch out for ads: the download page has ad buttons that imitate the download button. The real link is the text "Installer"; if an ad page opens, press Skip at the top right.
2. Run the installer
- Open the
.jar. - Choose Install client.
- Check the game folder and press OK.
- Wait for the libraries to download and the success message.
The launcher now has a profile named forge.
3. Add your mods
Copy the .jar files of Forge mods for your version into the mods folder:
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\.minecraft\mods - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods - Linux:
~/.minecraft/mods
4. Launch the game
Select the forge profile in the launcher and press Play. The main menu shows a Mods button.
Common problems
- You downloaded a fake installer. If the file did not come from files.minecraftforge.net, delete it and run your antivirus.
- NeoForge or Fabric mods. They do not work on Forge. Use files released for Forge.
- Java version error at startup. Use the launcher profile, which already ships the right Java for each game version, instead of running the game another way.
- Error screen listing mods. Forge tells you which mod fails and why (version, dependency or conflict). Start by removing that mod.