Download Minecraft Launcher for Windows, macOS & Linux

Official downloads

Download Minecraft Launcher

Choose your operating system. These buttons open the Microsoft Store or download the installer directly from Mojang's official file server.

Recommended

Windows 10 / 11

Get the unified launcher for Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, Dungeons, and Legends. Updates are handled automatically by the Microsoft Store.

Get from Microsoft Store

Windows 10 version 19041.0 or newer · x64

Direct installer

macOS

Download the official disk image, open it, then drag Minecraft into your Applications folder.

Download .dmg

macOS 10.14.5 or newer · Intel / Rosetta

Java Edition

Linux

Use the Debian package for Ubuntu-based systems or the portable archive for other distributions.

Download .deb Download .tar.gz

Java Edition only · 64-bit Linux

Safe download: Windows opens the verified Xbox / Microsoft Store listing. macOS and Linux files come directly from launcher.mojang.com. No installer is hosted or modified by this website.

What it is

One app for every Minecraft game on PC

The Minecraft Launcher is the official game downloader and launcher developed by Mojang Studios / Microsoft. It is the central hub for accessing all of Mojang's PC games from a single application; per the Minecraft Wiki, it is "the main game downloader and launcher for Minecraft: Java Edition and one of the game downloaders and launchers for Bedrock Edition, Minecraft Dungeons, and Minecraft Legends."

The official download documentation describes it as "your hub for accessing all of your favorite Minecraft games on PC." From one place, players can install game versions, access multiplayer servers, manage profiles, and configure supported features.

Editions it launches:

Java Edition Bedrock Edition Minecraft Dungeons Minecraft Legends Minecraft Preview

A Microsoft account is mandatory to play any edition since March 10, 2022, when Mojang account support ended. The launcher does not store your password locally; it uses a refresh token.

Actual Minecraft Launcher news screen with the unified game navigation visible on the left — **One navigation for every game** Official launcher screenshot

Key features

Everything the official launcher does for you

Eight features that define the modern Minecraft Launcher experience; from one-click world launches to running multiple Minecraft versions side by side.

Unified launcher

One app, one sign-in, one navigation panel for Java, Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends. Announced at Minecraft Live 2021, shipped November 2, 2021; ending the era of separate Java and Dungeons launchers.

Microsoft account sign-in

One Microsoft account unlocks every edition you own. The launcher uses a refresh token, never stores your password locally, and shows your Xbox gamertag in the top-left corner.

Quick Play

Added in Minecraft 1.20 (Java) and 1.20.60 (Bedrock). Recently played worlds appear in a bar across the top of the launcher; one click drops you in, skipping every menu. Enabled by default; toggle it in Settings.

Installations & version switching

Create unlimited installations, each with its own version, game directory, Java runtime, JVM arguments, and window size. Go back to early Alpha, Classic, even Infdev; though very old versions have known issues.

Skins management

View, apply, edit, duplicate, and upload custom skins. Default skins now include Steve, Alex, Noor, Sunny, Ari, Zuri, Makena, Kai, and Efe. Choose classic (wide) or slim model.

Mods via Forge, Fabric, NeoForge

The launcher doesn't install mods for you, but its Installations system is what mod loaders plug into. Run a loader's installer, launch the new profile once to generate the mods folder, drop in .jar files, and play.

Realms integration

Each edition has a Realms tab to buy, join, and manage private servers. Realms worlds are stored on Mojang's servers and accessible from any signed-in device; your world travels with you.

Snapshots & Preview

Java Edition snapshots (weekly test builds) and Bedrock Preview are both available through the launcher. Enable in Settings or via the "Snapshots" checkbox in the Installations tab, then create a new installation.

Actual Minecraft Launcher Java Edition Play screen — **Return to recent worlds faster** Quick Play appears when recent worlds are available

Quick Play

Jump back into your worlds in one click

Quick Play shortens the route back to a recent world. Available worlds appear in the launcher so you can return without navigating through several in-game menus.

Shows recently played Java and Bedrock worlds side by side
Enabled by default; can be disabled in Settings → Quick Play
Mojang/Microsoft collect no data for Quick Play; all data is stored locally and deleted if you disable the feature
Hover over a world to see its name, version, and last-played timestamp

See it in action

The Minecraft Launcher in screenshots

Explore real launcher screens for Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, Minecraft Legends, Minecraft Dungeons, news, and Marketplace.

Editions at a glance

Java, Bedrock, Dungeons, and Legends: what each one offers

The launcher ships four Minecraft games (plus Preview). Here is what each one is, where it runs, and who it's for.

Java Edition

The original

Windows, macOS, and Linux. The classic block-building sandbox with an extensive modding ecosystem, custom servers, snapshots, and separate installations.

Bedrock Edition

Cross-platform

Windows 10/11 only on PC. True cross-play across Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, iOS, and Android. Marketplace, Realms Plus, faster engine, Minecraft Preview beta channel.

Dungeons

Action-RPG spinoff

Windows 7+. A standalone dungeon-crawler in the Minecraft universe; no mining, no building. Co-op for up to four players, DLC expansions, and the Hero Pass cosmetic set.

Legends

Action-strategy spinoff

Windows 10+. A real-time-strategy game set in the Minecraft universe. Command mobs, defend villages, and play PvP. Single-player campaign plus online multiplayer.

Before you download

Check launcher and edition compatibility

The launcher can install several Minecraft games, but each edition has different platform support. Check this before downloading or buying a game.

Windows 10 / 11

Full launcher support

Java Edition, Bedrock Edition, Dungeons, and Legends are available through the Windows launcher. The Microsoft Store listing requires Windows 10 version 19041.0 or newer and does not support Windows S mode.

macOS

Java Edition only

The macOS launcher installs Java Edition. Bedrock Edition is not available on macOS. Current Apple Silicon Macs may run the launcher through Rosetta, depending on the available build.

Linux

Java Edition only

Use the Debian package or portable archive for 64-bit Linux. Package dependencies vary by distribution, so review your package manager output before applying workarounds.

How to install

Install the Minecraft Launcher on Windows, macOS, and Linux

The launcher itself is free. You need a Microsoft account to install or play any edition, including the demo. Pick your OS below.

Search Minecraft Launcher in the Microsoft Store.
Click Download Launcher (or "Get" in the Microsoft Store).
Run the downloaded installer and accept the UAC prompt.
Open Minecraft Launcher from the Start menu.
Sign in with your Microsoft account (create one for free if you don't have one).
Pick the edition you own; Java, Bedrock, Dungeons, or Legends.
Click Install for that edition, then Play.

Windows 11 S mode: the launcher will not run in S mode. Switch out of S mode first: Settings → System → Activation → Switch to Windows 11 Pro → Go to the Store. This is one-way.

Use the macOS download button above to get the official .dmg file.
Open the .dmg and drag Minecraft.app to /Applications.
Double-click Minecraft.app (right-click → Open the first time, to bypass Gatekeeper).
Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Install Java Edition and click Play. (Bedrock is not available on macOS.)

macOS Sequoia 15+ "error 9": if the launcher fails to update with "Operation not permitted", go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access → click + → press Cmd+Shift+G → enter /Applications/Minecraft.app → confirm. Quit and reopen Minecraft. This workaround is reported in MCL-26578.

Use the Linux download buttons above.
Choose the .deb package for Debian-based systems or the portable .tar.gz archive for other distributions.
Install via your package manager: sudo dpkg -i minecraft-launcher.deb, yay -S minecraft-launcher, or flatpak install flathub com.mojang.Minecraft.
Open Minecraft Launcher from your app menu (or run flatpak run com.mojang.Minecraft).
Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Select Minecraft: Java Edition and Play. (Bedrock is not playable on Linux.)

Linux sign-in crash: if the Microsoft sign-in window crashes or stays blank, you're hitting the known CEF/KWallet issue (mojira MCL-24681). Install kwallet and kwalletmanager (KDE) or ensure a keyring is running (GNOME). The Flatpak build is more self-contained and often avoids this.

Continue to troubleshooting

Mods on the official launcher

How to add Forge, Fabric, and NeoForge mods

The official launcher doesn't install mods for you, but its Installations system is what every mod loader plugs into. The workflow is the same for Forge, Fabric, NeoForge, and Quilt; only the installer source changes.

Mod folder locations:

Windows: %APPDATA%\.minecraft\mods
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/mods
Linux: ~/.minecraft/mods

Match versions exactly. A mod built for 1.21.4 will silently fail on 1.21.1. The launcher logs the mismatch rather than crashing; check the launcher log if a mod doesn't load.

5-step mod install

Install a mod loader; Forge (files.minecraftforge.net), Fabric (fabricmc.net), NeoForge, or Quilt. Run its official installer; it creates a new profile in the launcher.
Launch the new profile once to generate the mods folder inside .minecraft.
Download mod .jar files from CurseForge or Modrinth. For Fabric, also download Fabric API (most Fabric mods depend on it). NeoForge has its API built in.
Drop the .jar files into the mods folder (see paths on the left for your OS).
Launch with the loader profile and verify in the in-game Mods menu. The Installations tab has a "Modded" checkbox filter to show only modded installations.

Troubleshooting

Common Minecraft Launcher problems and first steps to try

These starting points are based on Microsoft support guidance, public Mojang bug reports, and recurring community reports. They are not guaranteed fixes, so stop if a step does not match your system.

Windows

Launcher won't open

Corrupted cache, broken Gaming Services, or a Windows update broke Store app registration.

Fix: Run as administrator → Repair/Reset from Settings → Apps → Advanced options → run wsreset.exe → sync system time.

All platforms

Blank / black / white screen

GPU hardware acceleration glitch, outdated GPU drivers, or antivirus interference.

Fix: Launch with --disableGPU flag (right-click shortcut → Properties → Target line), then update GPU drivers.

0x803f8001

"Minecraft is currently not available in your account"

Windows can't verify your game license; usually after an account migration, launcher update, or Windows update.

Fix: Sign out and back in to the Microsoft Store with the account that owns Minecraft (or has Game Pass) → run wsreset.exe.

Sign-in

Login failed / Microsoft account issues

Wrong account signed in, Store/Xbox account mismatch, or corrupted tokens.

Fix: Sign out everywhere (Windows, Store, Xbox app, launcher), restart, sign back in with the same account → run the sign-in helper.

Downloads

Slow or stuck downloads

Delivery Optimization bandwidth caps, Wi-Fi extender issues, or system time drift.

Fix: Settings → Update & Security → Delivery Optimization → Advanced options → clear download limits → sync clock → wsreset.exe.

Java

Out of memory (java.lang.OutOfMemoryError)

Default heap size is too small for modded Minecraft or large worlds.

Fix: Edit installation → More Options → change -Xmx2G to -Xmx4G (or -Xmx6G for heavy modpacks). Never exceed free RAM.

macOS

"Error 9" / "Operation not permitted"

macOS Sequoia 15+ App Management privacy control blocks the updater from modifying signed bundles.

Fix: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access → add /Applications/Minecraft.app → quit and reopen.

Linux

Sign-in window crashes (CEF)

Chromium Embedded Framework crashes during Microsoft OAuth, often KWallet/keyring issues on KDE.

Try first: Install kwallet (KDE) or ensure a keyring is running (GNOME) → try the Flatpak build → review the reports in MCL-24681.

Interactive wizard

Find a sensible first troubleshooting step

Answer four questions to narrow the public guidance by symptom and platform. This tool does not diagnose your device.

Step 1: What's happening?

Pick the symptom that matches your situation closest.

Step 2: Which platform?

The fix differs by operating system.

Step 3: Which edition?

Java and Bedrock have different fix paths.

Step 4: Did this start after a Windows update?

A recent Windows update can affect Store app registration or Gaming Services. This answer changes the first checks we suggest.

Suggested first steps

Use these as troubleshooting guidance, not as a guaranteed diagnosis.

Comparison

Official Minecraft Launcher vs the alternatives

Compared by source availability, account authentication, edition support, mod management, and known tradeoffs. This site has no affiliate relationship with the launchers listed below.

Launcher	Open source	Safety	Best for	Watch out for
Official Minecraft Launcher	No (Microsoft)	Safe	Bedrock, Dungeons, Legends, Game Pass, Realms	Heavier than lightweight alternatives; no built-in mod browser
Prism Launcher	Yes	Safe	Modded Minecraft, multi-instance, CurseForge + Modrinth	Slightly steeper learning curve than CurseForge
MultiMC	Yes	Safe	Separate instances, original multi-instance model	Development has slowed; Prism is the active fork
ATLauncher	Yes	Safe	Modpacks from CurseForge, Modrinth, FTB, Technic	Dated interface; slower updates
CurseForge App	No (Overwolf)	Mostly safe	Large mod library and one-click modpacks	Runs on Overwolf (some consider it bloatware); ads
Modrinth App	Yes	Safe	Modern interface, open source, integrated mod browsing	Smaller catalog than CurseForge
TLauncher	No	Not recommended	-	Closed source and commonly distributed for unofficial account use, with recurring privacy and bundled-software complaints. Prefer the official launcher or an established open-source alternative.

Only download launchers from their official websites. The official Minecraft Launcher is the only legitimate way to access Bedrock Edition, Dungeons, and Legends on PC.

How this guide is researched

Sources, testing limits, and corrections

This is an independent guide, not a first-hand laboratory test or an official support channel. Download links are checked against Microsoft Store and Mojang-owned infrastructure. Technical fixes are selected from official support documentation, the public Mojang bug tracker, and recurring community reports.

Source priority

Official stores, vendor documentation, and public bug tickets are preferred. Community reports are treated as possible fixes, not guaranteed results.

Safety standard

No launcher installer is hosted or modified here. Always confirm the destination is a Microsoft, Xbox, or Mojang-owned service before downloading.

Last reviewed

Download destinations and the main installation guidance were reviewed on August 24, 2026. Time-sensitive details are dated where they appear.

FAQ

Minecraft Launcher frequently asked questions

Short answers to common download, account, and startup questions. Installation details stay in the platform guides above.

The launcher is free to download. A Microsoft account is required, and you still need to own the Minecraft edition you want to play or have access through an eligible Game Pass subscription.

Use the verified download buttons on this page. Windows opens the official Xbox and Microsoft Store listing. The macOS and Linux buttons use Mojang's launcher file server. Avoid repacked installers and third-party download portals.

Start with Windows Settings → Apps → Minecraft Launcher → Advanced options → Repair. If that fails, try Reset, run wsreset.exe, restart Windows, and confirm the Microsoft Store and Xbox app use the same account. Reinstall Gaming Services only if the earlier steps fail.

Windows cannot confirm that the signed-in account owns Minecraft or has an active entitlement. Sign out of the Microsoft Store and Xbox app, restart, then sign back into both with the account that owns the game. Run wsreset.exe if the Store still shows the wrong ownership state.

Common causes include a graphics acceleration problem, an outdated graphics driver, or corrupted launcher cache. Update the GPU driver first, then repair the launcher. The --disableGPU launch option can help test whether acceleration is involved.

Check that Windows, Microsoft Store, Xbox app, and the launcher use the same account. Confirm the system date and time are automatic, restart, and try the Microsoft sign-in helper. Linux sign-in failures can also involve the desktop keyring.

Minecraft account migration moved authentication and game ownership to Microsoft accounts. The launcher uses that account to verify licenses, access multiplayer services, and synchronize supported profile information.

Java Edition can usually launch offline after you have signed in and downloaded the selected game version at least once. Multiplayer, Realms, first-time setup, ownership checks, and game downloads still require an internet connection.

Download Minecraft Launcherfor Windows, macOS & Linux.