How to Install a Minecraft Modpack

Updated July 28, 2026

To install a Minecraft modpack, use a dedicated launcher — CurseForge App, Modrinth App, Prism Launcher or FTB App — which downloads every mod, the mod loader and all configs in one click, with no manual file handling.

The days of dragging .jar files into a mods folder are over: all four launchers are free, and each one handles thousands of packs. This guide compares them, then walks through the install process step by step in each. All you need is an official Minecraft Java account and enough disk space — plan on 2 to 10 GB per pack.

Which launcher should you pick in 2026?

All four launchers do the same core job: download the pack, install the right loader (Forge, NeoForge or Fabric) and start the game with the correct Java version. The differences come down to catalog and comfort.

CurseForge App (free, Windows and macOS): the largest modpack catalog and the most beginner-friendly experience. This is where All The Mods, RLCraft and most well-known packs live.
Modrinth App (free and open source, Windows, macOS, Linux): a clean interface, a fast and lightweight launcher, and a fast-growing Modrinth catalog.
Prism Launcher (free and open source, Windows, macOS, Linux): the power-user favorite. It installs packs from both the CurseForge AND Modrinth catalogs, keeps every pack in its own isolated instance, manages Java automatically and supports every loader (Forge, NeoForge, Fabric, Quilt).
FTB App (free, Windows, macOS, Linux): the go-to for official Feed The Beast packs, with CurseForge pack support as a bonus.

Installing a modpack with the CurseForge App

1
Download the CurseForge App
Grab the app from curseforge.com and install it. On first launch, pick Minecraft as your game: the app detects your existing install or walks you through creating one.
2
Search for the modpack
Open the Browse Modpacks tab and type the exact pack name (for example All The Mods 10). If you are joining a server, check its listing for the required pack name AND version first.
3
Install the right version
Click Install. By default the app grabs the latest pack version — if your target server runs a specific one, click the arrow next to Install instead and pick the exact version from the list.
4
Launch the pack
Once the download finishes, the pack appears under My Modpacks. Click Play: the first startup takes a while (several minutes for a big pack), which is normal.

Installing a modpack with the Modrinth App

1
Download the Modrinth App
Get the app from modrinth.com/app (Windows, macOS or Linux) and sign in with your Microsoft account on first launch.
2
Browse the modpacks
In the Browse tab, filter by Modpacks and search for your pack. The Modrinth catalog is especially strong on recent Fabric and NeoForge packs.
3
Install and pick the version
Click Install. For a specific version, open the pack page and its Versions tab: each entry lists the matching Minecraft version and loader.
4
Launch the instance
The pack installs as a standalone instance in your library. Click Play — the Modrinth App installs the loader and the correct Java version automatically.

Prism Launcher: one instance per pack, two catalogs

Prism Launcher is the favorite of players who juggle multiple packs: every install lives in a fully isolated instance (separate worlds, options and mods), and its built-in browser pulls from both the CurseForge and Modrinth catalogs.

1
Install Prism and link your account
Download Prism Launcher from prismlauncher.org, then add your Microsoft account via Accounts in the top-right corner.
2
Create an instance from a catalog
Click Add Instance, then pick CurseForge or Modrinth in the left column. Search for the pack, select the version you want and confirm: Prism downloads everything, loader included.
3
Import a pack shipped as a .zip or .mrpack
Many servers distribute their custom pack as a file. In Add Instance, choose Import and point it at the .zip (CurseForge export) or .mrpack (Modrinth format) file: the instance builds itself.

After the install: RAM and first launch

A mid-size pack needs 6 to 8 GB of allocated RAM to run smoothly, and launchers often default to less. If the game stutters or crashes while loading a world, this is the first setting to check — our dedicated RAM allocation guide covers the right values and the exact steps for each launcher.

The very first launch of a big pack can take five to ten minutes: the game builds its caches and processes hundreds of mods. Later startups are much faster. If a pack crashes on startup every time, make sure you installed the exact pack version with nothing added on top — an extra client mod dropped into the pack is the single most common cause of crashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

› Are modpack launchers free?

Yes, all four of them. The CurseForge App and FTB App are free, and the Modrinth App and Prism Launcher are open source on top of that. The only thing you pay for is the official Minecraft Java account — no legitimate launcher replaces it.

› Can I install a modpack manually, without a launcher?

It is possible (install the loader, then copy every mod into the mods folder), but strongly discouraged: reproducing a 200-mod pack with exact versions by hand is nearly impossible to get right. Launchers exist precisely for this.

› What is the difference between Forge, NeoForge and Fabric?

They are the three main mod loaders — the technical layers that run mods. Every modpack is built for one specific loader, and mods from one do not work on another. The good news: your launcher installs the right one automatically, so there is nothing to do.

› How much disk space does a modpack need?

Plan on 2 to 5 GB for a typical pack, and up to 10 GB for a very large one once worlds are generated. Since every instance is independent, the space adds up if you install several packs.

› Can I play a modpack on Bedrock (console, mobile)?

No. Modpacks run on Minecraft Java, which is only available on PC (Windows, macOS, Linux). The Bedrock edition can neither install Java mods nor join a modded server.

› How do I update a modpack I already installed?

Every launcher offers a one-click update from the installed pack’s page. Be careful if you play on a server: only update once the server itself moves to the new version, or your connection will be refused.